Halfcrown Elizabeth II, Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

The obverse of the coin shows the laureate young bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right - her effigy known as the "First Portrait". The laurel wreath in the Queen's hair is tied with a ribbon with two ends flowing behind.

The designer's initials, M.G. (for Mary Gillick) appear incuse on the base of the shoulder truncation, and can be seen when the coin is viewed at an angle.

The monarch's legend runs continuously all around the bust.

In 1953 only, the legend was ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITT: OMN: REGINA; translated from Latin, this means "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of all the Britains Queen". The part mentioning "all the Britains" was deemed insensitive in the era of rapid decolonisation, so the legend was then changed to ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA (Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen). The legend the continues onto the reverse.

The reverse of the coin shows the crowned shield of the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom. The shield is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the three passant guardant lions of England; in the second, the rampant lion and double tressure flory-counterflory of Scotland; and in the third, a harp for Ireland. The shield is crowned with the Imperial Crown, depicted during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II as the Crown of Saint Edward.

In small letters below left and below right, the initials of the artists: E·F on the left for the designer Edgar Fuller, and C·T on the right for the engraver Cecil Thomas.

Around above, the continuation of the monarch's legend: + FID · · DEF + (from FIDEI DEFENSOR - Defender of the Faith).

The Queen's monogram ER is divided by the shield; it is abbreviated from Elizabeth Regina - "Elizabeth, Queen".

Around below, the denomination and the date HALF CROWN [year].