This silver shilling of William III was the first silver coin recovered by The Bearded Bleepers, discovered by Yanne on a particularly hot day of detecting at Leith Hill, Surrey. Struck between 1694 and 1702, these coins were issued following the Glorious Revolution, when William of Orange and his wife Mary II took the English throne. After Mary’s death in 1694, William ruled alone until 1702.
The shilling, worth twelve pence, was an important everyday denomination in late 17th century England. Silver coinage of this period was milled rather than hammered, produced by machine to create regular, round coins with inscribed edges to deter clipping and forgery. The obverse bore the king’s portrait while the reverse displayed the royal arms, emphasising the authority and stability of the monarchy.
Finding this shilling at Leith Hill provides a tangible link to Surrey’s history during a time of political change, war with France and the beginnings of Britain’s rise as a global power. Though small in size, this coin carries with it the story of the first silver discovery by the group and a proud milestone in the Bearded Bleepers’ adventures.