Halfcrown 1886, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Halfcrown 1886, Coin from United Kingdom (demonetised 1970)
CoinHalfcrown 1886

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. Its reverse design is by Jean Baptiste Merlen, who also designed the earlier halfcrowns issued for King William IV.

The design (both reverse and obverse) was preserved for almost fifty years; this coin type was struck in substantial numbers from 1839 to 1850, then only proofs were offered for several years, followed by a nine-year gap as the Royal Mint attempted to circulate the new florin (two shillings) denomination instead. In 1874, production of this type resumed with a slightly modified effigy and continued until 1887, when it was finally replaced by Queen Victoria's second issue coinage on the occasion of her Jubilee (50 years on the throne).

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.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 891,767
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Obverse
United Kingdom / Halfcrown 1886 - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows the young uncrowned effigy of Queen Victoria, facing left; the portrait is by William Wyon and is widely known as her "Young Head".

The Queen's hair is bound with a double fillet (ribbon) and collected into a knot behind.

Around, the monarch's legend: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1886. Translated from Latin: Victoria, by the Grace of God.

Around below, the date of issue: 1886.

Obverse Inscription VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1886
Reverse
United Kingdom / Halfcrown 1886 - reverse photo

Within an open laurel wreath, 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 St Edward's Crown, named after Saint Edward the Confessor, one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England. It has been traditionally used to crown English and British monarchs at their coronations since the 13th century, with a two-century gap between 1689 and 1911 so Queen Victoria was not herself crowned with it.

Around below, a small rose, thistle and shamrock - the floral emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland respectively.

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

Reverse Inscription BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF:
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Halfcrown 1886: Known varieties
Variety Proof, Plain Edge
Mintage Issued: unknown
Halfcrown 1886: References to Information Used
Showing 100 from a total of 132 coins of type: Halfcrown
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Halfcrown 1816 unknown King George III - Large Bull Head GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA 1816
Halfcrown 1817 Large Head 8,092,656 King George III - Large Bull Head GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA 1817
Halfcrown 1817 Small Head 8,092,656 King George III - Small Head GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA 1817
Halfcrown 1818 2,905,056 King George III - Small Head GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA 1818
Halfcrown 1819 4,790,016 King George III - Small Head GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA 1819
Halfcrown 1820 King George III 2,396,592 King George III - Small Head GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA 1820
Halfcrown 1820 King George IV 2,396,592 King George IV - Laureate Head GEORGIUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:
Halfcrown 1821 1,435,104 King George IV - Laureate Head GEORGIUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:
Halfcrown 1823 First Issue 2,003,760 King George IV - Laureate Head GEORGIUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:
Halfcrown 1823 Second Issue 2,003,760 King George IV - Laureate Head GEORGIUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:
Halfcrown 1824 Second Issue 465,696 King George IV - Laureate Head GEORGIUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:
Halfcrown 1824 Third Issue (Proof only) unknown Portrait by Jean Baptiste Merlen GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA · 1824 ·
Halfcrown 1825 2,258,784 Portrait by Jean Baptiste Merlen GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA · 1825 ·
Halfcrown 1826 2,189,088 Portrait by Jean Baptiste Merlen GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA · 1826 ·
Halfcrown 1828 49,890 Portrait by Jean Baptiste Merlen GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA · 1828 ·
Halfcrown 1829 508,464 Portrait by Jean Baptiste Merlen GEORGIUS IV DEI GRATIA · 1829 ·
Halfcrown 1831 (Proof only) unknown King William IV - Bare Head GULIELMUS IIII D:G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:
Halfcrown 1834 993,168 King William IV - Bare Head GULIELMUS IIII D:G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:
Halfcrown 1835 281,952 King William IV - Bare Head GULIELMUS IIII D:G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:
Halfcrown 1836 1,588,752 King William IV - Bare Head GULIELMUS IIII D:G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:
Halfcrown 1837 150,526 King William IV - Bare Head GULIELMUS IIII D:G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:
Halfcrown 1839 unknown Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1839
Halfcrown 1840 386,496 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1840
Halfcrown 1841 42,768 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1841
Halfcrown 1842 486,288 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1842
Halfcrown 1843 454,608 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1843
Halfcrown 1844 1,999,008 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1844
Halfcrown 1845 2,231,856 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1845
Halfcrown 1846 1,907,136 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1846
Halfcrown 1848 367,488 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1848
Halfcrown 1849 261,360 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1849
Halfcrown 1850 483,120 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1850
Halfcrown 1853 (Proof only) unknown Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1853
Halfcrown 1862 (Proof only) unknown Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1862
Halfcrown 1864 (Proof only) unknown Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1864
Halfcrown 1874 2,188,599 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1874
Halfcrown 1875 1,113,843 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1875
Halfcrown 1876 633,221 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1876
Halfcrown 1877 447,059 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1877
Halfcrown 1878 1,466,323 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1878
Halfcrown 1879 901,356 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1879
Halfcrown 1880 1,346,350 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1880
Halfcrown 1881 2,301,495 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1881
Halfcrown 1882 808,227 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1882
Halfcrown 1883 2,982,779 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1883
Halfcrown 1884 1,569,175 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1884
Halfcrown 1885 1,628,438 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1885
Halfcrown 1886 891,767 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1886
Halfcrown 1887 Young Head 1,438,046 Queen Victoria - Young Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA 1887
Halfcrown 1887 Jubilee Head 1,438,046 Queen Victoria - Jubilee Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA
Halfcrown 1888 1,428,787 Queen Victoria - Jubilee Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA
Halfcrown 1889 4,811,954 Queen Victoria - Jubilee Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA
Halfcrown 1890 3,228,111 Queen Victoria - Jubilee Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA
Halfcrown 1891 2,284,632 Queen Victoria - Jubilee Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA
Halfcrown 1892 1,710,946 Queen Victoria - Jubilee Head VICTORIA DEI GRATIA
Halfcrown 1893 1,793,912 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI GRA · BRITT · REG ·
Halfcrown 1894 1,524,960 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI GRA · BRITT · REG ·
Halfcrown 1895 1,772,662 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI GRA · BRITT · REG ·
Halfcrown 1896 2,148,505 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI GRA · BRITT · REG ·
Halfcrown 1897 1,678,643 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI GRA · BRITT · REG ·
Halfcrown 1898 1,870,055 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI GRA · BRITT · REG ·
Halfcrown 1899 2,863,872 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI GRA · BRITT · REG ·
Halfcrown 1900 4,479,128 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI GRA · BRITT · REG ·
Halfcrown 1901 1,576,570 Queen Victoria - Veiled Head VICTORIA · DEI GRA · BRITT · REG ·
Halfcrown 1902 1,331,131 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1903 274,840 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1904 709,652 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1905 166,000 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1906 2,886,206 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1907 3,693,930 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1908 1,758,889 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1909 3,051,592 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1910 2,557,685 King Edward VII - Bare Head EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1911 2,920,580 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1912 4,700,789 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1913 4,090,169 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1914 18,333,003 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1915 32,433,066 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1916 29,530,020 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1917 11,172,052 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1918 29,079,592 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1919 10,266,737 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1920 17,983,077 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1921 23,677,889 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1922 16,396,774 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1923 26,308,526 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1924 5,866,294 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1925 1,413,461 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1926 4,473,516 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1927 Old Design 6,852,872 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1927 New Design 15,000 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1928 18,762,727 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1929 17,632,636 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1930 809,501 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1931 11,264,468 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1932 4,793,643 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1933 10,311,494 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1934 2,422,399 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1935 7,022,216 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Halfcrown 1936 7,039,423 King George V - Bare Head GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX
Showing 1 to 100 of 132 Coins.
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Halfcrown 1886: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Coin TypeHalfcrown Queen Victoria, First Issue
Issued1886
MonarchQueen Victoria
EffigyQueen Victoria - Portrait by William Wyon (Young Head)
ReverseRoyal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom
Face Value2 1/2 (x Shilling)
Total Mintage891,767
CurrentNo; demonetised 1970
Material0.925 Silver
DesignerJean Baptiste Merlen
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationCoin Alignment (Axis 6)
Size32.0000 mm
Mass14.1380 g
OCC IDWLGV-BELD-CPPA-EMPX
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Halfcrown 1886: Photos
ImageDetails
Halfcrown 1886: Photo QUEEN VICTORIA, young head, halfcrown, 1886 (S.3889) / thumbnail QUEEN VICTORIA, young head, halfcrown, 1886 (S.3889)
Copyright: Noble Numismatics
Source
Halfcrown 1886: Photo QUEEN VICTORIA, young head, halfcrown, 1886 (S.3889) / thumbnail QUEEN VICTORIA, young head, halfcrown, 1886 (S.3889)
Copyright: Noble Numismatics
Source
Halfcrown 1886: Catalogue Reference IDs