The above advertisement comes from the June 1987 issue of The Baker Street Journal (page 100, to be exact). A New York based company, I/R Miniatures, was selling replicas of the three different designs of the shillings issue during Queen Victoria's reign.

Instead of being struck in silver, like the original coins, these replicas were struck in pewter and sold for $4 each. Each coin was marked "COPY" on the reverse, as in accordance with the Hobby Protection Act of 1973.

These replica coins seem odd to your editor, as it would only be a few dollars more at the time to purchase the real silver coins.

The ad goes on to state that each replica coin is accompanied by "informative text about the coin and a Sherlock Holmes story."

So, does anyone out there seen these replicas and the accompanying "informative" texts?

To read the complete article, see:
May HolmeWork Assignment: Replica Shillings Sold To Sherlockians (fourthgarrideb.com/2015/05/may-holmework-assignment-replica-shillings-sold-to-sherlockians/)