Numismatic

1917-1919 Newfoundland Silver 25 Cents Avg Circ

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During the tumultuous years from 1917 to 1919, Newfoundland issued a distinctive silver quarter that captures a specific moment in North American numismatic history. Struck in sterling silver with a purity of 0.925, this twenty-five cent piece contains 0.1734 troy ounces of precious metal. Cataloged by collectors as KM-17, the coin reflects the traditional design sensibilities of the era, serving as a tangible connection to the island's independent status prior to becoming a Canadian province. The obverse of the coin presents a left-facing, crowned portrait of King George V. This royal likeness is framed by Latin inscriptions, with legible portions of the legend reading GEORGIVS V, DEI GRA, and REX. These inscriptions declare his status as king by the grace of God, a standard formula for coinage of the British Empire during his reign. On the reverse, the coin features a clean and structured layout. The denomination of 25 CENTS and the specific year of mintage are positioned clearly in the center. This central text is framed by an ornate, decorative circle, which adds an artistic boundary to the functional information of the coin. This combination of royal portraiture and structured reverse design makes the issue a compelling subject for those studying regional branch mintages and historical Canadian provincial coinage.