Half Penny, Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

Half Penny, Coin Type from United Kingdom (issued 1971 - 1984)
Coin TypeHalf Penny

The British decimal half penny (or "halfpenny") coin (½p) was introduced in February 1971, at the time of decimalisation, and was worth one two-hundredth of a pound sterling. Thus it had the rare distinction of being a non-decimal coin in a decimal currency system. It was also ignored in banking transactions, which were carried out in units of 1p.

The decimal half penny had the same value as 1.2 pre-decimal pence, and was introduced to enable the prices of some low-value items to be more accurately translated to the new decimal currency. The possibility of setting prices including an odd half penny also made it more practical to retain the pre-decimal sixpence in circulation (with a value of 2½ new pence) alongside the new decimal coinage.

The half penny coin's obverse featured the profile of Queen Elizabeth II; the reverse featured an image of St Edward's Crown. It was minted in bronze (like the 1p and 2p coins). It was the smallest decimal coin in both size and value. The size was in proportion to the 1p and 2p coins. It soon became Britain's least favourite coin. The Treasury had continued to argue that the half penny was important in the fight against inflation (preventing prices from being rounded up); however in 1984 the halfpenny was issued by the Royal Mint only in mint and proof sets, and the coin was demonetised and withdrawn from circulation in December 1984.

The decimal half penny tended to be pronounced as it is spelled, in contrast to the pre-decimal halfpenny, which was always pronounced "hayp'nny".

During the existence of the denomination, a total of 4,128,833,690 (4.1 billion) half penny coins were issued, counting proofs and coins in mint sets.

Obverse
United Kingdom / Half Penny - obverse photo

Crowned and draped young bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (effigy known as the "Second Portrait", by Arnold Machin).

The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Rank-Broadley and the Gottwald portraits.

Around, the monarch's legend and the date: ELIZABETH · II · D · G · REG · F · D · [year]. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith [year].

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · [year]
Reverse
United Kingdom / Half Penny - reverse photo

Within a beaded circle, a representation of St Edward's Crown, with the numeral value ½ below the crown, and the denomination: either NEW PENNY (1971-1981) or HALF PENNY (1982-1984) around above the crown; triangular motifs around below.

Reverse Inscription 1/2 NEW PENNY or 1/2 HALF PENNY
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

Throughout the existence of the denomination, the only monarch depicted on it was Queen Elizabeth II.

Coin Type: Half Penny - (14) Coins
Coin NameReverseObverseIn my collection(s)
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Half Penny: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling
From1971
To1984
Face Value1/2 (x Penny)
CurrentNo (demonetised 1984)
MaterialBronze
DesignerChristopher Ironside
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
Size17.1400 mm
Thickness1.0000 mm
Mass1.7820 g
Half Penny: Photos
ImageDetails
Half Penny: Photo Coin - 1/2 New Penny, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1976 Coin - 1/2 New Penny, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1976
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source
Half Penny: Photo Coin - 1/2 New Penny, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1976 Coin - 1/2 New Penny, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1976
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source