Three Halfpence 1870 (Proof only), Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Three Halfpence 1870 (Proof only), Coin from United Kingdom (demonetised 1971)
CoinThree Halfpence 1870 (Proof only)

The British three halfpence was a silver coin worth one and and a half penny (1½d) or 1/160th of a pre-decimal Pound Sterling ("d" is abbreviated from "denarius" - the Roman coin from which the penny is directly descended).

The denomination was produced for circulation in the British colonies, mainly in Ceylon, British Guiana, and the British West Indies as well as Mauritius and Sierra Leone which used the ordinary British currency. It was issued each year between 1834 and 1843, and also in 1860 and 1862; proof coins were also produced in 1870. It was a rough equivalent to the Indian Anna coin and to the Spanish-American quarter real used in Jamaica. The design and size are similar to the silver Maundy penny coins except for the crowned 1½ on the reverse.

The coin is considered to be part of the British coinage because it has no indication of what country it was minted for, being made in the same style as the other contemporary coins of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

In 1870, only proof coins of this type were struck.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Mintageunknown
Visit the Royal Mint web site for the latest coin releases Visit the Royal Mint web site for the latest coin releases
(affiliate ad)
Obverse

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 D: G: BRITANNIAR: REGINA F: D:. Translated from Latin: Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britains, Defender of the Faith.

Obverse Inscription VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REGINA F: D:
Reverse

Within an open oak wreath, the numeral value (one and a half penny).

Above the value, St Edward's Crown. Named after Saint Edward the Confessor, 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).

Divided by the value, the date of issue: 1870.

Reverse Inscription 1½ 1870
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Three Halfpence 1870 (Proof only): References to Information Used
Advertising
Family-run store trading in rare coins and bullion, plus jewellery design and sales
Family-run store trading in rare coins and bullion, plus jewellery design and sales
My Collection
Please sign up and/or log in.
You will then be able to manage your collection and record whether you have or want this coin.
Three Halfpence 1870 (Proof only): Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling (pre-decimal)
Coin TypeThree Halfpence
Issued1870
MonarchQueen Victoria
EffigyQueen Victoria - Portrait by William Wyon (Young Head)
ReverseImperial Crown - St Edward's Crown and the Tudor Crown
Face Value1 1/2 (x Penny)
Mintageunknown
CurrentNo; demonetised 1971
Material0.925 Silver
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationCoin Alignment (Axis 6)
Size12.0000 mm
Mass0.7100 g
OCC IDQBVY-XEWR-CPRN-OJZN
Share or Bookmark this Page
Three Halfpence 1870 (Proof only): Catalogue Reference IDs