Half Crown, Coin Type from New Zealand - detailed information

Half Crown, Coin Type from New Zealand (issued 1933 - 1965)
Coin TypeHalf Crown

Initially, British and Australian coins circulated in New Zealand. The devaluation of the New Zealand pound relative to sterling in the 1930s led to the issue of distinct New Zealand coins in 1933, in denominations of 3d, 6d, 1s, 2s (the florin) and 2½s (the half-crown), minted in 50% silver until 1946 and in cupro-nickel from 1947. In 1940, bronze ½d and 1d coins were introduced. All these denominations were the same size and weight as their equivalents in the Australian and UK coinage (although Australia never minted the half-crown).

According to Encyclopaedia of New Zealand 1966, the original specifications for the coin were (in measurement units of the time):

Diameter of Coin: 1.272 inches
Standard Weight: 218.18181 grains
Remedy Allowance (margin of error in weight): 1.216 grains

In regards to statistics, it has to be noted that the mintage figures provided by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand include, in some cases (like the 1953 mintages), the proof issue of the year while in most other cases they do not.

According to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the total mintage of the denomination during its existence was 21,808,164 (22 mln).

Counting the (few) known proof mintages, the total mintage adds up to 21,833,434 (22 mln).

Of them, 9,801,404 (10 mln) were silver and 12,032,030 (12 mln) were cupronickel.

Obverse

Effigy of the monarch, legend.

During the existence of the denomination, ruling monarchs for whom half crowns were minted were King George V, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. No coins were minted for King Edward VIII during his short reign.

After the Independence of India in 1947, the title "Emperor" was dropped from the legend of King George VI.

Obverse Inscription
Reverse

Shield of Arms of the Dominion of New Zealand on their shield (quartered with the Southern Cross, a wheat sheaf, a lamb suspended by a ribbon and mining hammers crossed divided by three ships) surmounted by the Royal Crown and surrounded by ornamentation inspired by Maori carvings; around, NEW ZEALAND HALF CROWN; below, the date; in small letters to right of date the artist's initials K.G. ([George] Kruger Gray).

Reverse Inscription NEW ZEALAND HALF CROWN [year]
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Coin Type: Half Crown - (21) Coins
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Half Crown 1933 2,000,020 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Metcalfe GEORGE V KING EMPEROR
Half Crown 1934 2,720,020 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Metcalfe GEORGE V KING EMPEROR
Half Crown 1935 612,364 King George V - Crowned Bust, by Metcalfe GEORGE V KING EMPEROR
Half Crown 1937 672,200 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR
Half Crown 1940 (Centennial) 100,800 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR
Half Crown 1941 776,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR
Half Crown 1942 240,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR
Half Crown 1943 1,120,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR
Half Crown 1944 180,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR
Half Crown 1945 420,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR
Half Crown 1946 960,000 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR
Half Crown 1947 1,600,020 King George VI - Bare Head GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR
Half Crown 1948 1,400,000 King George VI - Bare Head KING GEORGE THE SIXTH
Half Crown 1949 2,800,000 King George VI - Bare Head KING GEORGE THE SIXTH
Half Crown 1950 3,600,000 King George VI - Bare Head KING GEORGE THE SIXTH
Half Crown 1951 1,200,000 King George VI - Bare Head KING GEORGE THE SIXTH
Half Crown 1953 127,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND +
Half Crown 1961 80,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND +
Half Crown 1962 600,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND +
Half Crown 1963 400,000 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND +
Half Crown 1965 (mint sets only) 225,010 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND +
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Royal Mint
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Half Crown: Details
CountryNew Zealand
CurrencyNew Zealand Pound
Sub-types Half Crown (Silver)
Half Crown (CuproNickel)
From1933
To1965
Face Value2 1/2 (x Shilling)
CurrentNo (demonetised 1967)
Material
DesignerGeorge Kruger Gray
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
Size32.0000 mm
Mass14.1000 g
Half Crown: Photos
ImageDetails
Half Crown: Photo Proof Coin - 1/2 Crown, New Zealand, 1933 Proof Coin - 1/2 Crown, New Zealand, 1933
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Shield of Arms of New Zealand (1933 - 1937, 1941 - 1965).
Source
Half Crown: Photo Proof Coin - 1/2 Crown, New Zealand, 1940 Proof Coin - 1/2 Crown, New Zealand, 1940
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Centennial Half Crown (1940).
Source
Half Crown: Photo Proof Coin - 1/2 Crown, New Zealand, 1933 Proof Coin - 1/2 Crown, New Zealand, 1933
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: King George V (1933 - 1935).
Source
Half Crown: Photo Proof Coin - 1/2 Crown, New Zealand, 1940 Proof Coin - 1/2 Crown, New Zealand, 1940
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: King George VI, Emperor (1937 - 1947).
Source
Half Crown: Photo New Zealand 1948 1/2 crown New Zealand 1948 1/2 crown
Copyright: CoinFactsWiki / CC BY-SA
Author:
Notes: King George VI (1948 - 1951).
Source
Half Crown: Photo Proof Coin - 1/2 Crown, New Zealand, 1953 Proof Coin - 1/2 Crown, New Zealand, 1953
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Queen Elizabeth II (1953 - 1965).
Source