Halfcrown Queen Victoria, Second Issue, Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

Halfcrown Queen Victoria, Second Issue, Coin Type from United Kingdom (issued 1887 - 1892)
Coin TypeHalfcrown Queen Victoria, Second Issue

The halfcrown (or half crown) was a denomination of the pre-decimal Pound Sterling coinage worth one-eighth of a pound, or two and a half shillings (a full crown being defined as five shillings), or 30 pence. In sums, it was abbreviated "2/6" (pronounced "two and six" - two shillings and six pence, a full shilling being twelve pence). The half crown was first issued in 1549 in the reign of King Edward VI.

This type of halfcrown coins was struck during the reign of Queen Victoria, and is only the second design in her lifetime. Its reverse was designed by Leonard Charles Wyon, and the obverse featured the portrait of the Queen by Joseph Edgar Boehm known as her "Jubilee Head" because it was made for the occasion of her Golden Jubilee (50 years on the throne).

The obverse did not prove very popular, and the denomination was issued in this form for a short time only; it was replaced by a new type (both sides of which were different) after 1892.

The composition is Sterling Silver (0.925 silver) and the coins have 0.4205 oz ASW (ounces of Absolute Silver Weight). The half crown was demonetised (ahead of other pre-decimal coins) on 1 January 1970, the year before the United Kingdom adopted decimal currency.

Obverse
United Kingdom / Halfcrown Queen Victoria, Second Issue - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows an older bust of Queen Victoria facing left, wearing the small imperial crown, a long veil falling behind her head, a pearl necklace and earrings, the Ribbon and Star of the Garter and the badge of the Imperial Order of India.

The effigy was created by Joseph Edgar Boehm to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria (50 years on the throne), 1837-1887, and is known as her "Jubilee Head" portrait.

Around, the monarch's legend: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA. Translated from Latin, the legend means "Victoria, by the Grace of God".

The artist's initials J.E.B. are in small raised letters on the bust truncation.

Obverse Inscription VICTORIA DEI GRATIA
Reverse
United Kingdom / Halfcrown Queen Victoria, Second Issue - reverse photo

Within the Garter with the motto of the Order, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE (from Old French: May he be shamed who thinks badly of it), and the Collar of the Order of the Garter, the reverse of the coin shows the crowned shield bearing 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 surmounted by the Imperial Crown; it was introduced after Queen Victoria became Empress of India in 1880, and does not represent any physical crown.

Around above, the continuation of the Queen's legend: BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF: (Queen of the Britains, Defender of the Faith).

Below, the date [year] is divided by the pendant depicting St George and the Dragon hanging from the base of the Collar.

Reverse Inscription BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF: [year]
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
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Halfcrown Queen Victoria, Second Issue: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Sub-type ofHalfcrown
From1887
To1892
Face Value2 1/2 (x Shilling)
CurrentNo (demonetised 1970)
Material0.925 Silver
DesignerLeonard Charles Wyon
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size32.0000 mm
Mass14.1380 g