1887 British Coin Sets

1887 Specimen Set in Presentation Box

Young Head & Jubilee Head
1887 was Queen Victoria's golden jubilee year. A new portrait was used on most denominations, although young head designs were also issued concurrently, so that for most denominations there were at least two different designs.
Two proof sets were issued, a "long" set containing 11 coins, from the gold five pounds down to the silver threepence, and a "short" set of 7 coins from the crown to the silver threepence. Both proof sets are of the Jubilee Head coinage only.
Providing a catalogue of all the coin issues for 1887 is therefore not a simple and straightforward job, however we will try to build this page into a complete factsheet for 1887 British coins, and then offer a selected range of sets.

Official Proof Coin Sets
Way back in 1887, the Royal Mint were not in the habit of issuing proof or uncirculated coin sets every year. Proof or specimen coin sets were only issued on special occasions such as coronations and jubilees. It was not until 1970 that they started to issue coin sets every year for sale to collectors.
As mentioned above, there was not one, but two proof coin sets issued in 1887.
Both sets are quite rare, but a large number of "Uncirculated" sets were compiled by dealers or collectors, and these are relatively common.

Spare a Copper!
Only gold and silver coins were issued using the Jubilee Head, bronze coins retained the Young Head until the introduction of the Old Head in 1893, although the bronze coins lagged behind even then, and did not catch up until 1895.

1887 Coin Sets Contain:
The seven pre-decimal coin types, crown, halfcrown, double florin, florin, shilling, sixpence and threepence.
All attractively packaged in a specially designed plastic case.

Specimen or Proof?
We attempt to explain and clarify the difference on our specimen or proof page.

Coins Issued
Young Head

Denomination	Metal	Obverse	Reverse	Circulation
One Pound (Sovereign)	Gold	Young	Shield	Yes
One Pound (Sovereign)	Gold	Young	St. George & Dragon	Yes
Half Sovereign	Gold	Young	Shield	Yes
Halfcrown	Silver	Young	Crowned Shield in Wreath	Yes
Florin	Silver	Gothic	Crowned Cruciform Shields, Floral Emblems in Angles	Yes
Shilling	Silver	Young	Crowned Value "One Shilling" in Wreath	Yes
Sixpence	Silver	Young	Crowned Value "Six Pence" in Wreath	Yes
Threepence	Silver	Young	Crowned Value "3" in Wreath	Yes
Penny	Bronze	Young	Britannia	Yes
Halfpenny	Bronze	Young	Britannia	Yes
Farthing	Bronze	Young	Britannia	Yes

Coins Issued
Jubilee Head

Denomination	Metal	Obverse	Reverse	Circulation
Five Pounds	Gold	Jubilee	St. George & Dragon	Yes
Two Pounds	Gold	Jubilee	St. George & Dragon	Yes
One Pound (Sovereign)	Gold	Jubilee	St. George & Dragon	Yes
Half Sovereign	Gold	Jubilee	St. George & Dragon	Yes
Crown	Silver	Jubilee	St. George & Dragon	Yes
Double Florin (Four Shillings)	Silver	Jubilee	Crowned Cruciform Shields, Sceptres in Angles	Yes
Halfcrown	Silver	Jubilee	Crowned Shield in Garter and Collar	Yes
Florin	Silver	Jubilee	Crowned Cruciform Shields, Sceptres in Angles	Yes
Shilling	Silver	Jubilee	Crowned Shield in Garter and Collar	Yes
Sixpence*	Silver	Jubilee	Crowned Shield in Garter and Collar (Withdrawn Type)	Yes
Sixpence	Silver	Jubilee	Crowned Value "Six Pence" in Wreath	Yes
Threepence	Silver	Jubilee	Crowned Value "3" in Wreath	Yes

Notes
* not included in sets

Prices & Availability

Date	Description	Coins in Set	From	Available
1887	Victoria Jubilee Head - Selected Set (Chard)	7	Crown	Wanted
1887	Victoria Jubilee Head - Official Proof Set	7	Crown	Wanted
1887	Victoria - Unofficial "Mint" Set (inc Gold)	9	Sovereign	Wanted
1887	Victoria - Official Specimen Set (inc Gold)	11	£5	Wanted

For Sale

Selected Coin Set - 7 Coin

Official Proof Set - 7 Coin

Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £3.50 or
Fully Insured £9 (Usually by Royal Mail Special Delivery)
USA: Airmail at buyer's risk $10 or
Fully Insured $20
For further details, please see our Postage & Packing page.

Order Form - UK
Order Form - USA
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Order Form - Rest of World

British Coin Sets