West Africa (British) Shilling and Two Shillings 1913 to 1952

Much of the western portion of Africa was under direct European rule until the mid 1900s. Now these independent nations are part of the British Commonwealth. The coins on this page, one shilling and two shillings, come from African countries under British rule before 1958.

As with all British coinage, the reigning monarch appears on the obverse ('front' or 'heads side') of the coin, either George V or George VI in this case. The reverse shows a palm tree.

Early coins were minted in silver, but as early as 1920 non-precious metals were used. Here is a breakdown of approximate catalog values. Unless the date on your coin is one of the special ones called out below, the general values apply.

SHILLING 1913 TO 1920 (0.168 troy ounces silver)
worn: $4 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $6
well preserved: $14
fully uncirculated: $40
shillings dated 1913H, 1915H, and 1920 are worth about twice these values

SHILLING 1920 TO 1936 (tin-brass)
worn: $4 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $8
well preserved: $25
fully uncirculated: $60
shillings dated 1920G catalog at $2000 in average circulated condition
shillings dated 1920KN catalog at $5 in average circulated condition
shillings dated 1924H and 1936H are worth about twice these values

SHILLING 1938 TO 1947 (nickel-brass)
worn: less than $1 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $1
well preserved: $8
fully uncirculated: $30
shillings dated 1946H catalog at $1000 in average circulated condition

SHILLING 1949 TO 1952 (tin-brass)
worn: $1 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $2
well preserved: $10
fully uncirculated: $40
shillings dated 1952 are very common and are worth about one-third these values

TWO SHILLINGS 1913 TO 1920 (0.336 troy ounces silver)
worn: $10 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $15
well preserved: $40
fully uncirculated: $70
two shillings dated 1914, 1914H, 1915H, 1917H, 1920, and 1920H are worth about three times these values

TWO SHILLINGS 1920 TO 1936 (tin-brass)
worn: $5 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $12
well preserved: $40
fully uncirculated: $90
two shillings dated 1928 catalog at $2000 in average circulated condition

TWO SHILLINGS 1938 TO 1952 (nickel-brass)
worn: $1 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $5
well preserved: $20
fully uncirculated: $55

Please apply the concepts outlined on our Important Terminology page to convert these catalog values to actual buy and sell values.
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