Philip & Mary coin value guide
Philip & Mary · 1554–1558 · Shilling & Sixpence, Groat, Penny & Gold
Denominations
Shilling & Sixpence, Groat, Penny & Gold
Reign
1554–1558
What a coin is worth depends on its exact type, mint, grade and provenance — the type tables and value factors below explain what drives each one.
About these coins
After Mary I married Philip of Spain in 1554, English silver shillings and sixpences were struck showing the two monarchs face to face — one of the most distinctive portrait types in the English series. The coinage also includes gold angels and base pennies and groats. The joint busts, sometimes with the date and a denomination mark, make these coins instantly recognisable.
The face-to-face shillings are the iconic coins of the marriage and the most sought after; sixpences and the base smaller coins are more affordable. Varieties — with or without date, with or without the value mark — affect desirability. Denomination, variety, grade and provenance set the value.
Shilling & Sixpence — value by type
The silver shilling (12d) and sixpence (6d) showing the busts of Philip and Mary face to face.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Shilling / Sixpence (joint busts) 1554–1558 Facing busts; varieties with/without date and value mark affect desirability. | Collectable — varieties matter |
Groat, Penny & Gold — value by type
Base silver groats and pennies, and gold angels, struck during the joint reign.
| Type | Rarity |
|---|---|
Groat / Penny / Angel 1554–1558 Smaller silver and gold of the joint coinage. | Scarce |
What drives the value
Type & rarity
Within a single reign, common types in collectable grade sit far below the scarce and rare types. Identifying the exact type is the first step in any valuation.
Mint & moneyer
Coins of rare mints, or with sought-after moneyer or privy-mark signatures, carry a clear premium over the common major-mint issues.
Grade & surfaces
A full, sharp strike with a clear portrait or design and legible legends commands the most. Weak striking, chips, cracks and corrosion all reduce value.
Provenance
A pedigree to a named cabinet or a recorded hoard adds both value and confidence in authenticity, especially for scarcer and higher-grade pieces.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Philip and Mary shilling worth?
The face-to-face shillings are the iconic and most sought-after coins of the marriage, with value resting on variety (date, value mark), grade and provenance; sixpences and base smaller coins are more affordable. Use the valuation tool for a figure based on realised prices for comparable coins.
Why do these coins show two portraits?
They mark the marriage of Mary I to Philip of Spain in 1554, with both monarchs shown face to face — a distinctive joint coinage struck until Mary's death in 1558.