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Coins of England Trivia Quiz

A quick and not-too-easy quiz about the coins of England

A multiple-choice quiz by Cerbera. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Cerbera

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
348,102

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
357

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In what year was the Sovereign first struck? Hint

1489

1817

1485

1816

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Question 2 of 10

2. What year was struck on the 'cartwheel' pennies and twopennies minted at the Soho Mint in Birmingham by Matthew Boulton? Hint

1797

1798

1799

1800

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Question 3 of 10

3. Under which King/Queen was the first round Farthing struck? Hint

Henry III

Edward I

Henry II

Edward the Confessor

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Question 4 of 10

4. In 2008, the Royal Mint released a new design set for the coinage. What notable and unintended error occurred with the 20p coin? Hint

The Queen was not wearing a crown

It had no date

The value was not shown in numbers, only in writing

An incorrect metal was used

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the nick name of the double florin struck under Queen Victoria between 1887 and 1890? Hint

Barmaid's Ruin

Sailor's Wage

Heavy Blighter

Gambler's Delight

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these was not a siege mint of Charles I? Hint

Newark

Oxford

Brighton

Bristol

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Question 7 of 10

7. How many times (before 2000) have official English coins been struck with more than one bust on the obverse (heads side)? Hint

Twice

Once

None at all

Three times

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Question 8 of 10

8. In which year was the "Una and the Lion" �5 coin struck? Hint

1893

1847

1839

1887

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Question 9 of 10

9. From 1927 to 1936 'wreath' crowns were struck and issued just before Christmas, in all years except one... which? Hint

1934

1935

1936

1933

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Question 10 of 10

10. 1949 marked a key change in the design and/or manufacture of English coins. What? Hint

Use of cupronickel instead of silver

King shown bare-headed for the first time

First use of nickel-brass

Omission of IND:IMP in the legend

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In what year was the Sovereign first struck?

Answer: 1489

The Sovereign was first struck under Henry VII in 1489 and was valued at 20 shillings and weighed 240 grains. During the recoinage of 1816, the sovereign was reintroduced.

2. What year was struck on the 'cartwheel' pennies and twopennies minted at the Soho Mint in Birmingham by Matthew Boulton?

Answer: 1797

These were so called as they contained one and two ounces of pure copper respectively... Imagine that in your piggy bank!

3. Under which King/Queen was the first round Farthing struck?

Answer: Henry III

The round farthing was first struck between 1216 and 1247 under Henry III.

4. In 2008, the Royal Mint released a new design set for the coinage. What notable and unintended error occurred with the 20p coin?

Answer: It had no date

The undated 20p became the first coin since the 17th century to not show the date of issue. This 'rarity' initially saw the coin selling for as much as �7000 - however this has now settled to a more realistic �30-40!

5. What was the nick name of the double florin struck under Queen Victoria between 1887 and 1890?

Answer: Barmaid's Ruin

The double florin (four shilling) coin was nicknamed the Barmaid's Ruin as in dark taverns, they could be mistaken for crown coins (valued at five shillings) and an additional shilling given in change.

6. Which of these was not a siege mint of Charles I?

Answer: Brighton

During the English Civil War, cities that were loyal to Charles I were besieged by Cromwell's troops. During these sieges, it sometimes became necessary for the cities to strike their own coinage.

7. How many times (before 2000) have official English coins been struck with more than one bust on the obverse (heads side)?

Answer: Twice

Both Philip and Mary and William and Mary have been portrayed on the coin of the realm - Philip and Mary were shown facing each other whilst William and Mary faced the same way (right).

8. In which year was the "Una and the Lion" �5 coin struck?

Answer: 1839

The Una and the Lion, a Victorian era gold coin, is widely regarded as one of the most attractive English coins to be struck.

9. From 1927 to 1936 'wreath' crowns were struck and issued just before Christmas, in all years except one... which?

Answer: 1935

The 1935 crown was struck, but not with the wreath design - is was George V's Silver Jubilee, so a George and Dragon design was struck in much greater numbers than any of the wreath years.

10. 1949 marked a key change in the design and/or manufacture of English coins. What?

Answer: Omission of IND:IMP in the legend

India became a sovereign nation on 15th August 1947, and as such the British King had no more right to the title Emperor of India (Indiae Imperator or Ind. Imp. for short!), however coins continued to be struck into 1948 despite this.

Cupronickel was first used in 1947, and nickel-brass in 1937. George VI was always shown bare-headed on British coins.

Source: Author Cerbera

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor WesleyCrusher before going online.
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