| ||||
The British pre-decimal halfpenny coin (abbreviated as ½d), usually simply known as a halfpenny or half penny, was a unit of currency that equalled half of a penny or one four-hundred-and-eightieth of a pound sterling (there were 20 shillings to a pound, and 12 pence to a shilling so one pound was equal to 240 pence, so 480 of these coins made up £1). Bronze coins of these specifications were introduced in 1860 to replace earlier larger copper halfpennies. Between 1860 and 1895, the half penny had the third Britannia design on the reverse, and Queen Victoria's "Bun Head" effigy. In 1895, the reverse was updated to the fourth Britannia design, which was a simplified version of the earlier design; it was issued until 1936. In 1937, the Britannia type was discontinued in favour of the new halfpenny issue of King George VI. Both the new obverse and reverse were designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget. The striking reverse design shows Sir Francis Drake’s ship, the Golden Hind. The coins remained in circulation until 1969, when they were demonetised prior to the decimalisation of the currency. | ||||
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
|
![]() |
Family-run store trading in rare coins and bullion, plus jewellery design and sales |
![]() |
Buy Austrian Silver Philharmonics Online |
Country | United Kingdom |
---|---|
Currency | Pound Sterling (pre-decimal) |
Sub-type of | Halfpenny (Pre-decimal) |
From | 1937 |
To | 1970 |
Face Value | 1/2 (x Penny) |
Current | No (demonetised 1969) |
Material | Bronze |
Designer | Thomas Humphrey Paget |
Technology | Milled (machine-made) |
Shape | Round |
Size | 25.5000 mm |
Mass | 5.4000 g |
![]() |
Catalog of Modern World Coins 1850-1964 |
Image | Details |
---|---|
![]() |
Proof Coin - Halfpenny, George VI, Great Britain, 1937
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY Author: Justine Philip Notes: King George VI, Reverse A (1937). Source |
![]() |
Great Britain 1939 1/2 Penny
Copyright: smarty_marty24 Notes: King George VI, Reverse C (1939). Source |
![]() |
Proof Coin - Halfpenny, George VI, Great Britain, 1949
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY Author: Justine Philip Notes: King George VI, Reverse O (1949 - 1951) Source |
![]() |
Great Britain 1939 1/2 Penny
Copyright: smarty_marty24 Notes: King George VI, Obverse 1 (1937 - 1948). Source |
![]() |
Proof Coin - Halfpenny, George VI, Great Britain, 1949
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY Author: Justine Philip Notes: King George VI, Obverse 2 (1949 - 1952) Source |