Five high quality Channel Islands coins, 1830-1956. Jersey and Guernsey, British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, had for centuries used French currency rather than British. France switched to the franc in 1795, after the French Revolution. Jersey and Guernsey did not, resulting in a disturbing shortage of coins in the 1830s. Both islands then introduced their own two different monetary systems, tied to the French pre-revolutionary system. 1 double 1830, Guernsey, William IV. Minted in Soho, Handsworth. The first Guernsey coins were minted in 1830. 1 double was the smallest denomination and corresponded to 1/8 British penny. It was also equal to one French liard, that is, 1/4 sous. Copper. Weight 2.5 g, diameter 18.5 mm. 8 doubles 1834, Guernsey, William IV. Minted in Soho, Handsworth. 8 doubles corresponded to one British penny, or 2 French sous. It was the largest denomination and was minted from 1834. Copper. Weight 20.6 g, diameter 34.5 mm. 1 double 1938, Guernsey, George V. Minted by Heaton & Sons, Birmingham (mintmark H). The 1 double coin was minted for the last time in 1938. Bronze. Weight 2.3 g, diameter 19 mm. 4 doubles 1956, Guernsey, Elizabeth II. Minted by the Royal Mint, London. Before transferring to pence, a last regular series denominated in doubles was issued 1956 and 1959. Bronze. Weight 4.8 g, diameter 25.5 mm. 1/13 shilling 1851, Jersey, Victoria. Minted by the Royal Mint, London. In the new monetary system introduced in Jersey in 1841, the largest denomination was 1/13 of a British shilling, or 12/13 of a British penny. The odd denomination corresponded to 2 French sous. Copper. Weight 17.8 g, diameter 34 mm. See images for correct impression.