Can I spend my silver jubilee crown? (2024)

By This Is Money
Updated: 10:21 EDT, 3 September 2009

Is a 1977 silver jubilee crown legal currency and if so where can it be cashed? G.H., Enfield, Middlesex

Simon Moon from This is Money replies: The 1977 crown was issued in vast numbers to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne in 1952.

Despite its impressive size, it had a face value of just 25p though the value was not marked on it.

One side of the coin carried an image of the Queen on horseback while the other showed some of the regalia used during the coronation ceremony.

In theory, you could spend your 1977 coin on the High Street, but it is almost certain your local shop would refuse to handle it if only on the grounds of unfamiliarity.

In fact, a helpful man at renowned London coin dealer Spink told me he had recently been told in a supermarket that his kosher £2 coin was not legal tender. Apparently it was a new issue and the unusual design made the staff suspicious.

The Royal Mint, which produced the original 1977 crown, suggested a post office or a bank would accept yours.

However, you might do better to sell it as a collectable item. If it is in tip-top condition it could be worth all of £1.50 though you may find someone prepared to pay more on eBay.

• Crowns produced by the Royal Mint since 1990 have had a face value of £5.

• How to invest in coins