How much is a Rex 2 shilling 1950 coin worth?

Answer 1

My guess is that you have a 1950 Two Shilling coin from South Africa. The front of the coin has the words "GEORGIVS SEXTUS REX" (Latin for "George the Sixth, King") with a portrait, and the back reads "South Africa - SUID AFRIKA - 2 SHILLINGS" and has the date and a shield. It measures 28.3mm in diameter and weighs 11.31 grams. It is 80% silver, giving it an ASW (Actual Silver Weight) of 0.2909 troy ounces and a melt value (as of January 13, 2010) of US$5.40. According to the Standard Catalog of World Coins, 4,945 of such coins were produced in 1950, and an example is worth US$20 in Fine condition, US$40 in Very Fine condition, US$80 in Extremely Fine condition, and US$140 in Uncirculated condition.

Alternatively, you have a 1950 Two Shilling coin from Great Britain. The front of the coin has the words "GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX" (abbreviated Latin for "George the Sixth, By the grace of God, King of All Britain") with a portrait, and the back reads "FID:DEF" (abbreviated Latin for "Defender of the Faith") and "TWO SHILLINGS 1950" and has crowned Tudor rose, with a thistle and "G" on the left and a shamrock and "R" on the right. It measures 28.3mm in diameter and is made of copper-nickel. According to the Standard Catalog of World Coins, 24,357,000 of such coins were produced in 1950 (plus another 18,000 in Proof), and an example is worth US$0.20 in Fine condition, US$0.35 in Very Fine condition, US$1.00 in Extremely Fine condition, US$20.00 in Uncirculated condition, and US$25.00 in Proof.

Answer 2

You are asking about a Two Shilling coin from South Africa (KM#22). It is 28.3mm in diameter, weighs 11.31 grams and is 80% silver, giving it an ASW (Actual Silver Weight) of 0.2909 troy ounces. With silver at US$36.85 per troy ounce (as of June 8, 2011), the coin has a "melt" value of US$10.72.

The front bears a crowned portrait of King George V of Great Britain and the words "GEORGIVS V REX IMPERATOR" (Latin for "George the Fifth, King (and) Emperor"). The back has a shield, splitting the date ("19" to the left of the shield and "32" to the right), with "2 SHILLINGS" below the shield, "SOUTH AFRICA" to the left, and "SUID AFRIKA" (Afrikaans for "South Africa") to the right.

1,315,000 such coins were produced in 1932. According to the Standard catalog of World Coins, and example is worth US$18 in Extremely Fine condition and US$75 in Uncirculated condition. Another 12 such coins were produced in Proof condition for collectors - these are valued at about US$2,000 each.