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

The obverse of the coin features the crowned bust of Queen Victoria facing left and wearing a widows's veil in mourning for her husband Prince Albert - her last official effigy (by Sir Thomas Brock), known also as the Veiled Head or Old Head.

The veil of a widow falls over the back of her crown; she wears a pearl necklace and a pendant; on the left lapel of the mantle, exhibited full-face, is the ribbon and Star of the Garter, part of the outer edge of which is covered by the veil.

In the field below the bust in small letters are the artist's initials T.B..

Around, part of the the monarch's legend: VICTORIA · DEI GRA · BRITT · REG ·. Translated from Latin, the legend means "Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britains".

Within 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: FID · DEF · IND · IMP · (Defender of the Faith, Empress of India).

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