King George VI *1947-1951* Half Crowns - Original British Coins

Product Information

The British half crown is a fascinating and historic piece of sterling coinage that holds a special place in the hearts of collectors and historians alike! Valued at one-eighth of a pound, or two shillings and six pence, its captivating story begins way back in 1526 when the bold King Henry VIII introduced the gold half crown, representing half the value of the crown coin. Fast forward to 1551, and we see the first silver half crown minted during the reign of King Edward VI, with dates marking its time, adding to its allure.

Interestingly, there was a brief pause in minting during Mary I's reign, but the tradition picked up again with the spirited Elizabeth I. Since then, half crowns continued to be minted in every reign, except for Edward VIII's, right up until their discontinuation in 1970.

During the English Interregnum from 1649 to 1660, a unique republican half crown was created, showcasing the arms of the Commonwealth of England. When Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector, fascinating coins emerged bearing his portrait, elegantly adorned with a laurel wreath, reminiscent of Roman emperors!

In 1893, the design evolved further, with the half crown proudly displaying its value on the reverse side. The coin became affectionately known as "half-a-dollar" in the 20th century. A significant change occurred in 1919 under King George V, when it boasted 50% silver content until 1946, before transitioning to cupro-nickel during King George VI's reign.

The last half crown entered circulation in 1967 during Queen Elizabeth II's era, leaving a beautiful legacy before gracefully stepping back in 1970, paving the way for new forms of currency. To add to its charm, proof sets of the half crown were produced by the Royal Mint, featuring the date 1970! Collecting these coins is a delightful journey through British history!


Coin Specifications

Obverse Design: The reverse side features a portrait of King George VI positioned on the left, accompanied by an inscribed legend designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget.

Reverse Design: A quartered shield of arms, flanked by crowned royal cyphers. A legend is positioned above, while the denomination and date are situated below. This design was created by George Kruger Gray.