British Decimal Half Penny Coin (St Edward’s Crown)

Decimal Half Penny Coin (St Edward’s Crown, 1971)

The half penny was one of the smallest coins of the new decimal system, introduced on 15 February 1971 and worth half of one new penny. Struck in bronze with a plain edge and measuring just 17.1 millimetres across, it was the least valuable coin in circulation until it was demonetised at the end of 1984 as inflation made it redundant.

On the obverse, the coin carries Arnold Machin’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right in the ‘Girls of Great Britain and Ireland’ tiara. The legend reads “D·G·REG·F·D·1971 ELIZABETH II” in raised capitals with the date at the left, within a beaded border.

On the reverse, designed by Christopher Ironside, is St Edward’s Crown — the royal crown shown alone — with “NEW PENNY” arched above and the fraction “½” below, framed by a decorative border of small strokes.

Turn a decimal Half Penny coin into money with Webuyallcurrency.com, which buys old or withdrawn British Pounds coins along with a wide range of other foreign currency in a single, hassle-free transaction.

• Indicate the quantity of decimal Half Penny coins you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Webuyallcurrency.com buys and exchanges foreign currency of every kind, so your British Pounds coins — withdrawn or current — can be sold for cash together with the rest of your leftover coins and notes.