Half crown (British coin)
| United Kingdom | |
| Value | 1⁄8 pound sterling |
|---|---|
| Mass | (1816–1970) 14.14 g |
| Diameter | (1816–1970) 32.31 mm |
| Edge | Milled |
| Composition | (1816–1919) 92.5% Ag (1920–1946) 50% Ag (1947–1970) Cupronickel |
| Years of minting | 1707–1970 |
| Obverse | |
 |
|
| Design | Profile of the monarch (Elizabeth II design shown) |
| Designer | Mary Gillick |
| Design date | 1953 |
| Reverse | |
 |
|
| Design | Various (crowned Royal Shield shown) |
| Designer | Edgar Fuller and Cecil Thomas |
| Design date | 1967 |
The half crown was a denomination of British money, equivalent to two shillings and sixpence, or one-eighth of a pound. The half crown was first issued in 1549, in the reign of Edward VI. No half crowns were issued in the reign of Mary, but from the reign of Elizabeth I half crowns were issued in every reign except Edward VIII, until the coins were discontinued in 1967.
The half crown was demonetised (ahead of other pre-decimal coins) on 1 January 1970, the year before the United Kingdom adopted decimal currency on Decimal Day. During the English Interregnum of 1649–1660, a republican half crown was issued, bearing the arms of the Commonwealth of England, despite monarchist associations of the coin's name. When Oliver Cromwell made himself Lord Protector of England, half crowns were issued bearing his semi-royal portrait. The half crown did not display its value on the reverse until 1893.
From George III, 1816, they had a diameter of 32 mm and a weight of 14.1 g, dimensions which remained the same for the half crown until decimalisation in 1971.
The mintage figures below are taken from the annual UK publication COIN YEARBOOK. Proof mintages are indicated in italics.
The reverse of the 1905, Edward VII, half crown.
The obverse of the 1953, Elizabeth II, half crown.
The reverse of the 1953, Elizabeth II, half crown.
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