1763 George III Silver Shilling-Northumberland Strike

1763 George III Silver Shilling – Northumberland Strike

A Rare and Celebrated Commemorative of a Noble Visit

The 1763 George III Silver Shilling, known as the Northumberland Shilling, is a highly desirable and historic piece—struck specifically to commemorate the visit of Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland, to Ireland in his role as Lord Lieutenant (Viceroy) on behalf of King George III. Far more than a simple circulation coin, this issue is a symbolic gesture of royal presence, minted in limited numbers and distributed ceremonially to mark a key political event.

🔹 Historical Background

In 1763, shortly after the end of the Seven Years' War, George III sought to strengthen ties with Ireland and reinforce royal authority through ceremonial gestures. The newly appointed Duke of Northumberland, serving as Lord Lieutenant, was dispatched to Dublin. During his entrance, silver shillings were specially minted and distributed to the public—an act of goodwill and royal pageantry.

These coins became instantly collectible as souvenirs of the Duke’s arrival, and today they are known to numismatists as the Northumberland Shillings. Their purpose and rarity distinguish them from regular-issue shillings of the period.

🔸 Design Details

Obverse:

• Features a young laureate bust of King George III facing right.

• Inscription:
  “GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA”
  (George III, by the Grace of God)

Reverse:

• Displays crowned cruciform shields of England, Scotland, Ireland, and France, with the Order of the Garter Starat the center.

• Legend:
  “M.B.F. ET H. REX F.D. B. ET L.D. S.R.I.A.T. ET E.”
  (King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg, Arch-Treasurer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire)

• Date: 1763 beneath the design.

The artistry is crisp, with a clear emphasis on royal power, tradition, and international prestige—fitting for the coin’s commemorative purpose.

🔹 Specifications

• Type: Silver Shilling (Northumberland Issue)

• Date: 1763

• Monarch: George III

• Metal: Sterling Silver (.925)

• Weight: Approx. 6 grams

• Diameter: ~26–27 mm

• Strike: Milled

• Mint: Tower Mint, London (with special dies for ceremonial distribution)

• Coin condition:- Near Extremely Fine

• Limited to just 2000 coin struck

🔸 Collectability

• Rarity: Although a fair number were struck for the Duke’s procession, few survive in high grade, making this coin highly sought after by collectors of Georgian and Irish-related coinage.

• Desirability: The coin’s unique role in 18th-century British-Irish relations, combined with its special ceremonial issuance, gives it strong historical and political appeal.

🏛️ Conclusion

The 1763 George III Northumberland Shilling is a coin with a story—a silver symbol of royal ceremony, political diplomacy, and Irish heritage. Its limited issuance and association with the Duke of Northumberland’s vice-regal visit to Dublin make it a standout piece in any collection of British or Irish commemorative coinage.

Whether appreciated for its historical narrative or its numismatic rarity, this shilling remains a treasured link to a fascinating chapter of Georgian history.