The British 1965 Shilling coin, designed by Mary Gillick, featured Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait and a traditional design of Britannia. Struck in cupro-nickel, it symbolized a shift from silver to base metals due to rising silver prices and economic constraints. The 1960s were marked by economic challenges, including inflation and the need for currency reform.
The 1965 Shilling came at a time of significant political change, with Britain preparing for decimalization in the 1970s. The shift to cupro-nickel reflected the need for more cost-effective metals. Gillick’s design maintained a sense of tradition, while the coin’s metal composition marked a key turning point in Britain’s economic and monetary history.