|
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. The denomination was struck in silver for most of its existence, until it was debased to copper-nickel in 1947; so, all half crowns issued in the name of Queen Elizabeth II were in base metal.
This type of half crown was introduced as part of the first coinage of the Queen's reign, replacing an earlier design struck during the reigns of her father and grandfather. It has an updated reverse depicting the Royal Coat of Arms differently, and an obverse featuring the Queen's first definitive effigy.
The half crown was demonetised - ahead of other pre-decimal coins - on 1 January 1970, the year before the United Kingdom adopted decimal currency. This means that half crowns issued in 1965 circulated for only five years.
|
|
|
| Obverse | |
|---|
The obverse of the coin shows the laureate young bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right - her effigy known as the "First Portrait". The laurel wreath in the Queen's hair is tied with a ribbon with two ends flowing behind.
The designer's initials, M.G. (for Mary Gillick) appear incuse on the base of the shoulder truncation, and can be seen when the coin is viewed at an angle.
The monarch's legend runs continuously all around the bust: + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen.
|
|
|
| Reverse | |
|---|
The reverse of the coin shows the crowned shield of 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 crowned with the Imperial Crown, depicted during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II as the Crown of Saint Edward.
In small letters below left and below right, the initials of the artists: E·F on the left for the designer Edgar Fuller, and C·T on the right for the engraver Cecil Thomas.
Around above, the continuation of the monarch's legend: + FID · · DEF + (from FIDEI DEFENSOR - Defender of the Faith).
The Queen's monogram ER is divided by the shield; it is abbreviated from Elizabeth Regina - "Elizabeth, Queen".
Around below, the denomination and the date HALF CROWN 1965. |
|
| Reverse Inscription |
+ FID · · DEF + ER HALF CROWN 1965 |
|---|
|
| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
|
| Notes | Krause lists mintage of 9,778,000. |
|---|
|
|
Search for United Kingdom: Halfcrown 1965 on eBay 
