Kings Shilling Pewter Tankard with Glass Base

Kings Shilling Pewter Tankard with Glass Base

Raise a pint with a tankard steeped in history. This 1-pint pewter tankard is handcrafted from high-quality lead-free pewter, featuring a plain polished body, a sturdy square handle, and a touchmark near the rim for authenticity. The real highlight lies beneath: a double glass base containing a genuine shilling, supplied with a story card to bring the legend to life. The polished finish inside and out makes it a striking drinking vessel, while the plain front panel offers room for engraving a name, date, or initials. Supplied in a simple gift box, with the option to upgrade to a silk-lined or wooden box.

• Capacity – 1 pint.

• Weight – Approx. 400g.

• Design – Plain polished body with square handle, touchmark near rim.

• Material – Handcrafted from high-quality lead-free pewter.

• Finish – Bright polished inside and out.

• Engraving – Available for personalisation (front face).

• Features – Double glass base with a genuine shilling coin inside.

• Extras – Includes a printed story card.

• Presentation – Supplied in a simple gift box, upgrade options available to a silk-lined or wooden box.

• Dimensions – Height: 125mm | Base Diameter: 115mm

The Story of the King’s Shilling
“Merry be you enjoying fine ale, but beware – in the darkness at the base of your tankard may lie a shilling of the Monarch. Too late, and you feel the hand of the Sergeant’s men on your shoulder – accepted the Monarch’s Shilling you have, the bargain concluded!”

The glass-bottom tankard was created to prevent this trick. With the base clear, drinkers could spot the hidden shilling and avoid being press-ganged into the Navy or Army. First recorded in 1694, the practice lingered until it was formally abolished in 1870, though the “King’s Shilling” continued to be mentioned in the Mutiny Act of 1878.

Steeped in legend and tradition, this tankard is more than a drinking vessel – it’s a piece of history. A handcrafted pewter gift and lasting keepsake, perfect for collectors, history enthusiasts, and ale lovers alike.