UK coinage history is a story of gradual decline from the ancient **Sterling (92.5%)** standard. For centuries, British silver was the envy of the world for its purity. However, the immense financial strain of World War I forced the government to drop to 50% silver in 1920.
The final blow came in **1947**. To repay the "Lend-Lease" silver debts to the United States, the UK abandoned silver entirely in favor of cupro-nickel. For stackers, this makes 1946 the absolute "wall" for British junk silver.
| Coin Type | Purity | Years | ASW (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown | 92.5% | 1844-1902 | 0.8410 |
| Crown | 50.0% | 1927-1937 | 0.4546 |
| Half Crown | 92.5% | 1838-1919 | 0.4205 |
| Half Crown | 50.0% | 1920-1946 | 0.2273 |
| Florin | 92.5% | 1849-1919 | 0.3364 |
| Florin | 50.0% | 1920-1946 | 0.1818 |
| Shilling | 92.5% | 1838-1919 | 0.1683 |
| Shilling | 50.0% | 1920-1946 | 0.0910 |
| Sixpence | 92.5% | 1838-1919 | 0.0842 |
| Sixpence | 50.0% | 1920-1946 | 0.0455 |