What to Do With Your Old Half a Crown Coins
Posted by: Ian • 1 Nov 2025
Found an old half a crown tucked away in a drawer? You might be wondering if it's worth anything more than sentimental value. The short answer is a definite yes. While it was taken out of circulation back in 1970 and you can't spend it in the shops, this classic piece of British history is far from worthless.
For collectors and silver enthusiasts, the half crown is often a sought-after coin. This guide provides practical tips on what to do with your half crown, along with any other leftover foreign currency you might have.
What Is a Half a Crown Worth?
A half crown is more than just obsolete currency; it’s a tangible link to Britain's past. Before the country went decimal, it was a hefty and significant coin worth two shillings and sixpence. That long history is a big part of its appeal for collectors and historians.
So, what exactly was its value? The British half crown was worth one-eighth of a pound sterling, or 30 old pence. Its story begins way back in 1526 under King Henry VIII, but it truly became a staple as a silver coin from 1551 onwards.
The coin remained in circulation for centuries, surviving monarch after monarch, until it was finally demonetised on 1 January 1970. Its incredible lifespan of nearly 450 years tells the story of how British money has evolved.
To give you a quick snapshot, here are the key details at a glance.
Half a Crown Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Value (Pre-Decimal) | Two shillings and sixpence (2s 6d) |
| Equivalent | 1/8 of a pound sterling, or 30 old pence |
| First Minted | 1526 (under King Henry VIII) |
| Silver Coinage From | 1551 |
| Demonetised | 1 January 1970 |
| Material | Primarily silver until 1947, then cupro-nickel |
As you can see, the metal content and the year it was minted play a huge role in its value today.
Turning Old Coins into New Money
So, what do you do with this piece of history now that you've found it? Instead of letting it gather dust, you can easily turn it, along with any other leftover foreign currency, into cash. Our service is designed to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free.
Here’s why so many people trust us with their old money:
- No Sorting Needed: Don’t waste time trying to separate different coins or notes. With no need to sort coins, just pop all your leftover foreign and old currency together, and we’ll handle the rest.
- A 100% Guaranteed Service: We offer a transparent and secure process from the moment your currency arrives to when you get paid. Our service is 100% guaranteed for your peace of mind.
- Trusted by Major Brands: We’re the go-to currency exchange partner for leading UK charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. That’s a reputation you can trust.
Whether you have a single half a crown or a whole jar of mixed coins, our process makes it easy to exchange foreign coins and unlock their hidden value.
A Journey Through the History of the Half a Crown
Holding a half crown is like holding a tangible piece of British history. This remarkable coin’s story kicks off way back in the Tudor era, first appearing as a gold coin during the reign of King Henry VIII in 1526. It was created, quite simply, to be worth exactly half of the larger, more imposing crown coin.
It wasn't until Henry's son, King Edward VI, came to the throne that the half crown we know and recognise today truly took shape. In 1551, the very first silver half crown was introduced, and just like that, it began a legacy that would span over four centuries. From that moment on, it became a constant, familiar presence in the pockets and purses of the British public.
A Coin for Every Monarch
Just think about it. This single coin design passed through the hands of people living under Stuart kings, mingling in Georgian society, and travelling across the vast British Empire under Queen Victoria. Every time a new monarch took the throne, the coin's design changed, with the ruler's portrait proudly stamped on the obverse (the 'heads' side). This tradition makes the half a crown a fascinating little chronicle of royal succession and evolving artistic styles.
The reverse, or 'tails' side, wasn't left out either. It often featured intricate designs of royal shields and coats of arms, which also changed over the centuries. This means a half crown from the 1700s looks strikingly different from one minted in the early 20th century. Each one tells a small part of the nation’s story – it wasn't just money, but a symbol of the kingdom and its reigning monarch.
From Daily Use to Demise
For generations, the half a crown was a hefty sum of money. For many, it represented a good chunk of a day's wages, enough to buy essential goods, pay for services, or be squirrelled away for something special. Its considerable size and weight gave it a real sense of importance and reliability.
But this long and storied journey had to come to an end. As Britain geared up for decimalisation, the writing was on the wall. The final half crown coins were struck for circulation in 1967, and the coin was officially withdrawn and demonetised on 1 January 1970. After nearly 450 years of service, its time as legal tender was over, cementing its status as a historical artefact.
Owning a half crown is more than just having old currency. It’s a direct connection to major historical events, from the reign of Elizabeth I to the dawn of the modern era. Each coin is a miniature time capsule, reflecting the society that created and used it.
Today, you can no longer spend these coins in shops, but their story is far from over. They are sought after by collectors, valued for their silver content, and cherished as family heirlooms. Understanding this rich history helps you appreciate that you're not just holding old money, but a genuine piece of the past. That makes the question of what to do with it now even more compelling.
How to Identify Your Half a Crown Coin
Fancy playing coin detective for a moment? It’s much easier than you’d think. By checking just a few key features on your half a crown, you can start to uncover its story and get a much clearer idea of what you’re holding. This guide will walk you through spotting the date, the monarch, and—most importantly—the metal it’s made from.
First things first, find the date. You'll usually see it stamped on the reverse (tails) side of the coin, often split by a design like a shield or crown. The date is your number one clue, as it instantly places the coin in a specific era and gives a massive hint about its composition. The monarch’s portrait on the obverse (heads) side will back this up.
From Silver to Modern Metal
One crucial detail massively affects your coin's value: what it’s made of. The silver content in half a crowns changed over the years. Between 1920 and 1946, these coins contained a decent amount of silver, giving them an inherent value based on the metal alone, quite apart from any collector appeal.
Then, in 1947, everything changed. The Royal Mint stopped using silver and started making half a crowns from cupro-nickel, a simple mix of copper and nickel. You can learn more about the specific changes in coin composition and value in this video.
Knowing this is a game-changer. As a simple rule of thumb: any half a crown dated before 1947 contains silver, while those dated 1947 or later do not. This is the single most important factor for a quick valuation.
This handy chart gives you a simplified path to figuring out the general era of your half a crown.
The infographic helps you narrow down your coin's age, guiding you from the much older Tudor issues right through to the common 20th-century versions you're more likely to find.
Comparing Key Features
To help you tell the two main modern types apart, here’s a quick comparison. It’s a simple way to see the key differences at a glance.
Comparing Silver vs. Cupro-Nickel Half a Crowns
| Characteristic | Silver Half a Crown (Pre-1947) | Cupro-Nickel Half a Crown (1947-1967) |
|---|---|---|
| Material Content | Contains silver (purity varies by year) | 75% copper, 25% nickel (no silver) |
| Colour and Shine | Has a brighter, whiter lustre when clean | Displays a slightly duller, greyish tone |
| Edge Sound | Tends to produce a higher-pitched ring | Makes a duller thud when dropped |
| Key Dates | Any date up to and including 1946 | Any date from 1947 to 1967 |
This table makes it easy to spot whether you have a silver coin or its cupro-nickel replacement, which is the first step in understanding its potential value.
So, you’ve identified your coin… what next? You could spend hours researching individual values, but there’s a much simpler way. Our service is designed to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free. There's no need to sort your coins or even know what you have. Just gather your leftover foreign currency, obsolete coins, and old banknotes, and we'll do the rest.
Our process is 100% guaranteed, offering you peace of mind and a fair price for your collection. As a trusted partner for major UK brands, including charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, we’ve built our reputation on trust and getting the job done right.
The Easiest Way to Exchange Your Old Currency
So, you’ve identified your half a crown coin. It’s a fascinating piece of history, but what’s the next step? While its story is interesting, its real potential is in the value it holds today. Unlocking that value shouldn't be a chore, and that’s where our fast, easy, and completely hassle-free currency exchange service comes in.
We’ve built a system that gets rid of all the usual headaches. Forget spending hours sorting through old coins, trying to figure out what’s what, or guessing which ones are valuable. Our process is simple: just gather up all your unwanted currency, and we handle the rest. That includes your half a crown and everything else you might have tucked away.
A Single Solution for All Your Unwanted Currency
Think about that forgotten jar of coins sitting on a shelf, or the envelope of leftover holiday money from years ago. Our service is designed to handle all of it at once, saving you a massive amount of time and effort. It's a straightforward way to convert foreign coins and banknotes into cash.
We accept a huge variety of currency, making our service a genuine one-stop solution for clearing out the clutter:
- Obsolete British Coins: This covers your half a crown, of course, but also shillings, florins, and any other pre-decimal coins you might have.
- Leftover Foreign Currency: Pesos from a Spanish holiday, old francs from France, or dollars from a trip to the US—we accept a vast range of foreign coins and notes.
- Withdrawn Banknotes: If you have old paper notes that are no longer in circulation, we can exchange those too.
Our unique weight-based system means you don’t need to count or sort a single coin. It’s the ultimate hassle-free way to exchange foreign coins and notes.
Our 100% Guarantee: We're so confident you'll be happy with our service that we offer a full guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied with our valuation for any reason at all, we’ll return your currency to you, completely free of charge. It’s a totally risk-free way to discover what your collection is really worth.
A Name You Can Trust
Handing over your currency, even if it's old, requires a lot of confidence. We've spent years building our reputation on trust and credibility, becoming the go-to partner for some of the UK’s most respected organisations.
Our client list includes major supermarkets, high-street charities, international airports, and even police forces. They all trust us to handle their currency exchange needs efficiently and securely. This extensive network of partners is a testament to our reliability and professionalism.
Whether you're looking to cash in on a single half a crown or donate foreign coins to charity, our process is always the same—fast, easy, and secure. You can learn more about how we simplify things by reading our guide to exchanging old British coins and notes.
Ready to get started? Our homepage has everything you need to begin your exchange today.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Paid for Old Coins
So, you're ready to turn that collection of old money, including that interesting half crown, into cash? Fantastic. We’ve designed our service to be as simple as possible. Our whole aim is to provide a fast, easy, and hassle-free way to get paid, without any of the usual guesswork.
This quick, four-step guide will walk you through exactly how our 100% guaranteed service works. Don't worry about sorting your coins or even knowing what you have – we handle all of that for you. From start to finish, we make sure the experience is smooth and secure.
Step 1: Gather Everything Together
This first step is probably the easiest. It’s time to go on a treasure hunt! Check through your drawers, look in old travel bags, and finally tackle that coin jar you’ve been meaning to sort for years. Just gather all your unwanted currency in one place.
This can include pretty much anything:
- Old British coins like the half a crown, shillings, and florins.
- Leftover foreign currency from holidays or business trips.
- Obsolete notes and coins that are no longer in circulation.
- Any mixed or unknown currency you’ve picked up along the way.
Here’s the best part: no sorting is required. Seriously, just put everything together in a bag or box. We'll take on the job of identifying and valuing it all, saving you what could be hours of tedious work.
Step 2: Pack It Up Securely
Once you’ve got all your currency together, pop it into a sturdy box or a padded envelope. It’s important to make sure the packaging is secure so nothing gets lost on its way to us. A well-taped box is usually your best bet, especially for heavier collections.
Just remember to include the simple form from our website with your details so we know who to pay. This is a crucial step that helps us process your currency exchange quickly and get your money to you without delay.
Step 3: Send It to Us
Next up, send your package to us using a postal or courier service of your choice. For extra peace of mind, we always recommend using a tracked service. That way, you can follow your package’s journey right to our door. Our facility is highly secure, and your currency is safe with us from the moment it arrives.
We are trusted by major brands, including national charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, to handle their currency exchange needs. This credibility ensures your collection is in safe, professional hands.
Step 4: Get Paid Quickly
As soon as we get our hands on your currency, our expert team gets right to work processing it. We’ll send you a detailed valuation, and once you give us the nod, we’ll issue your payment straight away. You can choose to be paid via bank transfer or PayPal – whichever works best for you.
We’ve made sure our process is completely transparent. When you’re ready to convert foreign coins and banknotes, you can trust our fast and reliable system. You can start your exchange today by visiting our homepage and see just how easy it is to unlock the value in your old currency.
Give Your Old Coins a New Purpose Through Charity
Maybe the cash value of your old half a crown isn't as important to you as the good it could do for someone else. Instead of exchanging it for yourself, you have the wonderful option to donate its value, turning forgotten money into vital support for causes that matter. It's a fantastic way to declutter while making a real difference.
We've made this process incredibly fast, easy, and hassle-free. You can donate foreign coins to charity using the exact same simple steps as a personal exchange. Just gather up your old half a crowns, any leftover holiday money, and other obsolete notes or coins you might have lying around. There's absolutely no need to sort coins – we take care of all the identification and counting for you.
This isn't something we take lightly. Our charitable service is built on a solid foundation of trust and reliability. We are the trusted currency exchange partner for many of the UK’s leading charities, as well as major organisations like supermarkets, airports, and even police forces who rely on our secure service to process donations.
How Our Charity Exchange Works
Our system is designed to be completely transparent, ensuring your donation has a real impact. Once we receive your currency, our team will calculate its total value and send the full amount directly to one of our partnered charities. It’s a straightforward and effective way to make sure your old money gets to where it’s needed most.
Our process is 100% guaranteed, so you can feel confident that your contribution is handled professionally from start to finish. You can explore our partnerships and learn more about how to give your foreign coins a new life through charity on our dedicated page. It’s a meaningful alternative that transforms your collection into a force for good.
Still Have Questions? We’ve Got Answers
It’s completely normal to have a few questions before you send off your old coins. We get it. To help put your mind at ease, we've gathered some of the most common queries we receive. Our goal is to make everything fast, easy, and hassle-free, and this little Q&A will show you just how simple it is to turn old coins like the half a crown into real cash.
Can I Send in Other Old British Coins Too?
Yes, absolutely! While this guide has focused on the half a crown, our service is built for all sorts of obsolete currency. You can send us shillings, florins, old pennies, and any other pre-decimal coins you might have squirrelled away.
There’s no need to sort through them, either. Just pop them all in together, and our team will handle the identification and valuation for you. Simple as that.
How Do You Figure Out the Value of My Unsorted Coins?
Our expert team uses a specialised, weight-based system to quickly and accurately assess mixed bags of currency. It’s a tried-and-tested method. We identify the different types of coins and notes, paying close attention to their metal content and where they came from, to calculate a fair market value.
This process lets us efficiently handle everything from that forgotten jar of holiday money to a big box of old British coins.
How Long Does It All Take?
We pride ourselves on a speedy turnaround. Once your currency lands with us, our team usually processes it and sends you a valuation within a few working days. As soon as you give the offer the green light, we send your payment out straight away. For your peace of mind, the entire process is 100% guaranteed.
Is It Safe to Post My Coins?
It is. We’re a credible and trusted partner for major UK organisations, including well-known charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces who rely on our service. Our credibility comes from years of providing a secure and reliable service that major brands trust.
For that extra bit of security, we always recommend using a tracked postal service. That way, you can follow your parcel’s journey right to our secure facility.
Ready to unlock the value hidden in your old currency? At We Buy All Currency, our process is fast, easy, and makes it simple to exchange foreign coins and notes. Start your hassle-free exchange today!