King's Shilling Tankard

A genuine old British King's Shilling is sandwiched within the double-glass bottom of this classic design pewter tankard. Engraved on the side is the story of how, in the days when recruits to the Royal Navy were paid a signing-on bounty of one shilling, press gangs of unscrupulous recruiting officers tricked men into committing themselves to service by passing the coin to them in a tankard of ale. By drinking the ale, the victim was then deemed to have struck a bargain by having accepted the King's Shilling. To protect innocent men from being bamboozled into joining the King's Navy, in the 18th century they invented a glass-bottomed tankard so that a man could spot the hidden danger as soon as he raised it to his lips.
This traditionally-styled lead-free pewter pint tankard is made in Sheffield and weighs a hefty 430grammes compared to the average for modern tankards of about 280grammes. This gives it a satisfying quality feel. The shilling coins bear the head of King George V or King George VI. There is a panel for engraving up to ten letters of a name or initials. One pint (570ml).

Old King's Shilling is sandwiched in glass.

These items must be posted 1st class (UK £5.00)