Rare 1896 Queen Victoria Silver Shilling. Veiled Old Head Victorian Coin. (The Widows Silver.)

An absolute treasure piece for any serious history buff, silver stacker, or coin collector.

This is a genuine, high-purity (92.5%) Sterling Silver Shilling minted in London during the late 1890s under the British Empire.

Why this coin is special:

• HISTORIC VALUE: Struck during the twilight years of Queen Victoria’s historic 64-year reign.
• THE PORTRAIT: Features Thomas Brock’s famous "Old Head" or "Widow Head" design, showing a mature Victoria in her traditional mourning veil.
• PRECIOUS METAL: Solid 92.5% pure British silver—holding intrinsic commodity value that base metals can never match.
• ICONIC REVERSE: Beautifully detailed crowned heraldic shields representing England, Scotland, and Ireland wrapped in the Royal Garter.

Condition: Authentic, circulated condition with a beautiful, natural dark silver patina. The date on the reverse is heavily worn from a lifetime of historical circulation, giving it incredible character.

The mastermind behind this iconic portrait was Sir Thomas Brock, a highly celebrated luxury sculptor of the Victorian era.The Challenge: Brock was tasked with replacing the unpopular "Jubilee Head" portrait of 1887, which many felt looked awkward and disproportionate.The Execution: Brock captured the aging Queen with immense dignity and realism. Rather than masking her age, he emphasized her status as a seasoned ruler. His signature "T.B." can often be found subtly engraved just below the cut of her shoulder.Legacy: Brock’s work was so highly regarded that he was later chosen to design the massive Victoria Memorial standing directly outside Buckingham Palace.

The "Widow Head" Moniker: Numismatists and collectors universally refer to this specific portrait as the "Old Head" or the "Veiled Head" (and sometimes the "Widow Head"). It depicts Victoria wearing a diadem coronet draped in a deep mourning veil—a style she adopted and wore for forty years following the tragic death of her husband, Prince Albert, in 1861.An Imperial Title expansion: The Latin inscription around the portrait reads:VICTORIA DEI GRA BRITT REGINA FID DEF IND IMPThis translates directly to: "Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britons, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India." The inclusion of "IND IMP" was legally forced onto the coinage in 1893 to showcase her ultimate imperial authority over the Indian subcontinent.

Collection preferred but I am around Dublin (D9, D15) occasionally. I can deliver to Tullamore. Or post for the price of a stamp.