British Half Crown coin

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Half-Crown coin of Oliver Cromwell, 1658

The half-crown was a denomination of British money worth two shillings and sixpence, being one-eighth of a pound. The half-crown was first issued in 1549, in the reign of Edward VI. No half-crowns were issued in the reign of Mary, but from the reign of Elizabeth half-crowns were issued in every reign except Edward VIII, until the coins were discontinued in 1967. The half-crown ceased to circulate in 1971 when the United Kingdom adopted decimal currency.

During the English Revolution of the 1640s, a republican half-crown was issued, bearing the arms of the English Commonwealth, despite the name of the coin's monarchist associations. When Oliver Cromwell made himself Lord Protector of England, half-crowns were issued bearing his semi-royal portrait.

History of the Half-crown by Reign

Henry VIII of England 1526: The first British Half Crown was struck in gold.
Edward VI of England 1551: Issued the first Half Crown in Silver. The coin was dated and showed the King riding a horse.
1554 – Mary of England married Philip II of Spain and the Half Crown was struck but was never issued for circulation. Three specimens exist.
Elizabeth I of England gold Half Crowns were issued again. At the end of the reign silver half crowns were issued.
James I of England gold Half Crowns were issued again. During the reign silver half crowns were issued.
Charles I of England Silver Half Crowns were issued, including those struck as OBSIDINAL money, money of necessity during the Civil War period.
Commonwealth of England Oliver Cromwell Silver Half Crowns were issued. During years 1656 & 1658 Milled Half Crowns were issued of Oliver Cromwell
Charles II of England 1663-1685 Silver Half Crown were issued, and this period saw the end of the hammered issue of half crowns.
James II of England 1685-1688 Silver Half Crown
William & Mary of England 1689-1694 Silver Half Crown
William III of England 1694-1702 Silver Half Crown
Anne of Great Britain 1702-1714 Silver Half Crown
George I of Great Britain 1714-1727 Silver Half Crown
George II of Great Britain 1727-1760 Silver Half Crown
George III of Great Britain 1760-1820 Silver Half Crown
George IV of Great Britain 1820-1830 Silver Half Crown
William IV of the United Kingdom 1830-1837 Silver Half Crown
Victoria of the United Kingdom 1837-1901 Silver Half Crown
Edward VII of the United Kingdom 1902-1910 Silver Half Crown
George V of the United Kingdom 1910-1936 Silver Half Crown
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom 1936 Silver Half Crown Not issued for circulation.
George VI of the United Kingdom 1937-1952 Silver Half Crowns were issued until 1946 when the metal was changed to cupro-nickel
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom 1952- The last Half Crown was issued in 1970 at the time of decimalisation

British Half Crown coin

History of the Half-crown by Reign

See also