Britain issued these 2 and 2 1/2 shilling coins in silver for South Africa from 1923 to 1960. Like all British coins, the reigning monarch appears on the face, so your coin may have a different profile than George VI in our picture. The back of the coin looks the same throughout the years.

As always, value increases as age goes up and condition gets better. Older coins are worth more than newer coins, and coins with less wear and better eye appeal are worth the most. Coins cannot be worth less than their basic silver value, found by multiplying the silver weight in troy ounces by the current price of silver (see kitco.com).

Here are some approximate catalog values for these coins:

2 SHILLINGS 1950 AND EARLIER (0.291 troy ounces silver):
worn: $4 US dollars catalog value
average circulated: $8
well preserved: $20
fully uncirculated (like our picture): $45
coins dated 1931 catalog near $400 in average circulated condition

2 SHILLINGS 1951 AND LATER (0.182 troy ounces silver):
worn: $2 US dollars catalog value
average circulated: $3
well preserved: $8
fully uncirculated (like our picture): $15

2 1/2 SHILLINGS 1950 AND EARLIER (0.363 troy ounces silver):
worn: $8 US dollars catalog value
average circulated: $15
well preserved: $50
fully uncirculated (like our picture): $180
coins dated 1925 to 1930 have high catalog values, over $150, for coins in well preserved condition
coins dated 1931 catalog near $500 in average circulated condition

2 1/2 SHILLINGS 1951 AND LATER (0.227 troy ounces silver):
worn: $8 US dollars catalog value
average circulated: $12
well preserved: $20
fully uncirculated (like our picture): $40
coins dated 1946 to 1950 catalog at about $80 in average circulated condition.

Please use our Important Terminology page to learn about catalog values. They are inflated values.