British Predecimal Half Crown Coin (Elizabeth II)

British Predecimal Half Crown Coin (Elizabeth II, 1953)

The half crown was worth two shillings and sixpence, an eighth of a pound, and was one of the larger coins of pre-decimal Britain. This 1953 piece was struck in the coronation year of Queen Elizabeth II in cupro-nickel with a milled edge, measuring about 32 millimetres across. The half crown was withdrawn from circulation on 1 January 1970 ahead of decimalisation.

On the obverse, the coin carries Mary Gillick’s portrait of the young Queen Elizabeth II facing right, her hair tied with ribbons in the laureate style. The legend reads “+ ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITT OMN REGINA”, her titles as Queen of all the Britains by the Grace of God, beginning at a small cross.

On the reverse is a crowned quartered shield bearing the arms of England, Scotland and Ireland, flanked by the crowned initials “E” and “R” for Elizabeth Regina. The surrounding inscription reads “FID·DEF HALF CROWN 1953”, with small crosses to either side of the shield.

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