Halfcrown, Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

The Halfcrown (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.

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.

Sterling silver halfcrowns (struck between 1911 and 1919) were current in Australia although the denomination had not been selected for inclusion among the coins struck by the Commonwealth of Australia beginning in 1910. When the British debased the silver in 1920 no proclamation was issued in Australia making them legal tender however some did circulate, being brought out by migrants. By the early 1930s, after a sustained effort to remove them from circulation, the use of British coins in Australia had ended (although some halfpence were still in use as late as 1966).

The halfcrown was demonetised (ahead of other pre-decimal coins) on 1 January 1970, the year before the United Kingdom adopted decimal currency on Decimal Day.