½ Penny - Elizabeth II 1st portrait; without 'BRITT:OMN'

Features

Country	United Kingdom
Queen	Elizabeth II (1952-date)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Years	1954-1970
Value	1/2 Penny = 1/24 Shilling (1/480)
Currency	Pound sterling (1158-1970)
Composition	Bronze
Weight	5.67 g
Diameter	25.4 mm
Thickness	1.3 mm
Shape	Round
Orientation	Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized	08-01-1969
References	KM# 896, Standard Catalog of World Coins by George S. Cuhaj (Krause Publications) Sp# 4158 Coins of England & the United Kingdom by Philip Skingley (Spink)

Obverse

Young laureate bust of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, legend around.

NOTE: without 'BRITT:OMN'

Lettering: +ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA·F:D:

Translation: Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God Queen Defender of the Faith

Engraver: Mary Gillick

Reverse

Three-masted ship (Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hind) sailing left, denomination above, date below

Lettering:
HALF PENNY
HP
1958

Engraver: Thomas Humphrey Paget

Edge

Plain

Comments

The standard weight of these pieces was 80 to the pound avoirdupois (1/5 ounce or 87½ grains).

We are indebted to Declan Magee Coins and Numista member Sjoelund for their kind permission to reproduce the images below which list some of the varieties for this series.

In 1954 there were two reverse varieties:
1954 - Reverse A - L of HALF at a bead, smaller teeth
1954 - Reverse B - L of HALF between beads, longer teeth

In 1956 there were four obverse/reverse varieties:
1956 - Obverse 3 / Reverse C - D of DEI between beads, I of DEI nearly at a bead, L of HALF between beads
1956 - Obverse 3 / Reverse D - D of DEI between beads, I of DEI nearly at a bead, L of HALF at a bead
1956 - Obverse 4 / Reverse C - D of DEI at a bead, I of DEI between beads, L of HALF between beads
1956 - Obverse 4 / Reverse D - D of DEI at a bead, I of DEI between beads, L of HALF at a bead

In 1957 there were two reverse varieties:
On the left - Calm Sea
On the right - Normal (rough) Sea

In 1958 there were three reverse varieties:
1958 - Reverse E - 18.75 mm from mainmast to base of sea
1958 - Reverse F - 19.00 mm from mainmast to base of sea
1958 - Reverse G - 19.00 mm from mainmast to base of sea, shorter border teeth
In 1967 there were two rim varieties:
1967 - Obverse 3 - Normal (narrow) rim, I of GRATIA directly at a tooth
1967 - Obverse 4 - Wide rim, I of GRATIA slightly to the left of a tooth

For more about Halfpenny die variations:
http://www.brushwood.mintrasystems.com/cn1-shiphalfpenny.pdf

Manage my collection

To manage your collection, please log in.

I wish to get this coin
I don't wish to get this coin

Year	Mintage	G	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
1954									Proof
1954	19,375,200			0.07	0.71	1.27			Rev A
1954									Rev B
1955	18,465,600			0.37	0.45	1.36
1955									Proof
1956	21,799,200			0.43	0.45	1.11			Obv 3 / Rev C
1956									Obv 3 / Rev D
1956									Obv 4 / Rev D
1956									Proof
1957	39,672,000			0.12					Calm Sea
1957				0.19	0.33	0.96			Normal Sea
1957									Proof
1958									Proof
1958	66,331,200		0.11	0.28	0.38	0.38			Rev E
1958					0.22				Rev F
1958									Rev G
1959	79,176,000		0.11	0.13	0.30	0.65	0.65	1.27
1959									Proof
1960	41,340,000			0.12	0.33	0.65	0.76
1960									Proof
1962	41,779,200			0.30	0.33	0.62	0.76	0.76
1962									Proof
1963	42,720,000		0.35	0.35	0.55	0.60	0.87	1.11
1963									Proof
1964	78,583,200	0.76	0.37	0.27	0.27	0.49	0.49	1.11
1964									Proof
1965	98,083,200		0.23	0.23	0.26	0.29	0.33	1.01
1965									Proof (reported not confirmed)
1966	95,289,600	0.12	0.34	0.30	0.30	0.45	0.78	0.99
1966									Proof (reported not confirmed)
1967	146,490,400		0.12	0.28	0.47	0.50	0.64	0.72	Obv 3 - Normal rim
1967						0.14		1.67	Obv 4 - Wide rim
1967									Proof (reported not confirmed)
1970	750,400							3.56	Proof only

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as a measure, but they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging coins. Numista does not buy or sell coins.

Get this coin

Members from this site want to exchange this coin: ninouo67, Heinz-Uwe, RAM1500, MrWiggles, dgania, popescuadrian7, Dazhbog II, Bellecollection, sasnakes, gena1508, cécé7, coincoin123, CanuckCollector, tramway1435, brismike, mexcoins, trvrhldr, amsel75, Lynsey32, letaloneshimmy, PLH28, angelcarceles, johannmi16, tony164, Kpcslave, JoachimSdl, sandeepprasadtenali, Negev, bradgsmit, ronaldreinds, belette1974 …

» See details for each year/mintmark

Numista Rarity index: 4 Search tips

This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin and 100 meaning a rare coin among Numista members.

» Buy coins from the United Kingdom

Contribute to the catalog

Modify or add information about this coin
Match coins from past online sales

Facebook Twitter

Catalog › United Kingdom › ½ Penny - Elizabeth II (1st portrait; without 'BRITT:OMN')