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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 introduced in 1927 and was struck until 1952, during the reigns of King George V and King George VI. The reverse was designed by George Kruger Gray.
Initially, the composition was 0.500 silver, debased from earlier (pre-1920) silver coinage which was "sterling" (92.5%) silver. Starting in 1947, the denomination was entirely debased, together with the rest of the previously silver British coinage, to copper-nickel. The half crown was demonetised - ahead of other pre-decimal coins - on 1 January 1970, the year before the United Kingdom adopted decimal currency. In other words, half crowns issued in 1945 were legal tender for 25 years.
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the bare (uncrowned) head of King George VI facing left.
Below the neck truncation in small letters, the artist's initials HP (for [Thomas] Humphrey Paget).
Around, the monarch's legend: GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX. Translated from Latin: George the Sixth, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin shows the shield of the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom, suspended from a chain link. 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 initials of the designer, KG (for [George] Kruger Gray) are divided by the lower part of the shield.
Around above, the continuation of the monarch's legend: FID : DEF IND : IMP (Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India).
On both sides of the shield, a crowned monogram: GG, with one G reversed. There are dots above the small vertical lines in the letters, to distinguish it from that of the king's predecessor.
Around below, the denomination and the date HALF CROWN 1945. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
FID : DEF IND : IMP HALF CROWN 1945 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Included in Set |
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The 80th Anniversary of VE Day Premium Ten-Coin Set, mintage unknown, limited to 80
10 coins: 50 Pence VE Day 2025, Halfcrown 1945, Florin 1945, Shilling (English) 1945, Shilling (Scottish) 1945, Sixpence 1945, Threepence (brass) 1945, Penny 1945, Halfpenny 1945, Farthing 1945
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