Victorian Coin Appraisal

Queen Victoria 'Jubilee Head' Silver Shilling Brooch

This item is a piece of late Victorian sentimental jewelry, featuring a British silver shilling coin mounted within a decorative metal bezel to function as a brooch. The coin displays the 'Jubilee Head' portrait of Queen Victoria, designed by Joseph Edgar Boehm to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of her reign in 1887. The obverse of the coin shows the left-facing profile of the Queen wearing a small crown and a long veil, surrounded by the Latin inscription 'VICTORIA D:G: BRITT: REG: F: D:'. The coin is encased in a custom-made circular frame characterized by a notched or castellated edge, further embellished with small spherical silver beads (granulation) distributed evenly around the perimeter. This style of 'coin jewelry' was immensely popular in the late 19th century as patriotic souvenirs. The material is likely sterling silver (0.925 fineness) for the coin itself, with the bezel potentially being silver or silver-plated base metal. The condition shows significant age-related patina, with dark toning visible in the recessed areas of the Queen's portrait and around the bezel, which is common for authentic Victorian silver. There is visible surface wear and minor softening of the high points of the coin's relief, consistent with circulation prior to mounting or long-term wear as jewelry. A pin mechanism (not fully visible from the front) would be attached to the reverse. This piece represents a marriage of numismatics and fashion, likely dating between 1887 and 1892, which was the production window for this specific coin design.