Description:
English silver shilling, 1817
Diameter 23mm
The obverse features the laureate bust of George III facing right with the date below. The inscription reads 'GEOR:III D.G:BRITT:REX F:D:', Latin, abbreviated meaning 'George III By the Grace of God King of the Britains, Defender of the Faith'. The reverse features a shield within a Garter. The Garter bears the motto of the Order of the Garter, 'HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE', French for, 'Shame On Him Who Thinks Evil Of It'. The shield is divided into four quarters. The top left and bottom right contain the three lions representing England, the top right contains the single lion rampant of Scotland and the bottom left contains the harp of Ireland. In the centre of the main shield is a smaller shield containing the Hanoverian Coat of Arms with the crown of Charlemagne in the centre. Each shield has a crown above. The reverse side in this example is largely illegible.