1956 Halfcrown

1956 Half-Crown Reverse

The 1956 Halfcrown Elizabeth II

The Reverse, by Cecil Thomas, shows a quartered shield of arms, crowned with ER to the sides. The denomination HALF CROWN and date is below.

The edge is reeded.

The Obverse shows the young bust of Queen Elizabeth II right by Mary Gillick.

Image credit: M J Hughes Coins


Mintage: 33,934,909 (may include coins in sets)
Minted at The Royal Mint.
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning British Monarch ever, reigning for over 70 years. Born on 21 April 1926 to King George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, she became Queen in 1952 and her Coronation was on 2 June 1953. She died on 8 September 2022. Some coins were released dated 2023.

Queen Elizabeth II issued many coins and was monarch during decimalisation. She married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in 1947 and had four children. Her eldest son succeeded the throne as King Charles III. House of Windsor.
Category: Half-Crowns
The half crown was a British coin which was valued at "2/6" (two shilling and sixpence) – 12½ pence in modern currency. It was literally half the value of the Crown.

Half crowns were first issued around 1549 in gold or silver. It was then issued by the majority of Monarchs (plus Oliver Cromwell) all the way through to Elizabeth II. The last standard mintage was in 1967 and the coin was officially demonetised in 1970, one year before full decimalisation. A proof half crown was released in 1970.

The halfcrown was a large coin, from 1816 to it’s final minting having a diameter of 32mm and weight of 14.1g. In pre-decimalised Britain when the Crown was essentially a commemorative coin, the half crown was the largest denomination coin in circulation and had considerable spending power.

Before 1920, half crowns were actual sterling (92.5%) silver. This was reduced to 50% silver and in 1947 no silver at all was used and cupro-nickel became standard.

Half crowns are beautiful coins to collect and due to their long history they are very popular. As pre-1920 coins are 92.5% silver even worn copies will have the intrinsic price of the metal but they are still very affordable to most people.
Which Mint: The Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is the designated place for the UK to mint coins. It dates back well over 1000 years and is a Government-owned company. 

Formed in the reign of Alfred the Great about the year 886, during the period 1279-1812 it was generally referred to as The Tower Mint as it was housed at the Tower of London. The Master of The Royal Mint has included famous figures such as Sir Isaac Newton.

Since 2010 it has operated as Royal Mint Ltd, a company owned by HM Treasury, under an exclusive contract to supply all coinage for the UK although it also produces medals and coins for other countries. It is currently located at Llantrisant, Wales.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) is the Union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is often refered to as Great Britain (GBR). It has a long, rich history.

The orignal coinage was Pounds, Shillings and Pence but since decimalisation on 15 February 1971, it is £1 = 100p, that is One Pound = 100 pence. The coinage of the UK is also a long history, the Royal Mint being established as long ago as 886AD when coins were hammered. Today there is perhaps 30 billion coins in circulation, and many (numismatic) collectors coins and sets are issued frequently in gold, silver and other metals.
If you don't see a coin in the list below try the Half-Crowns page on eBay UK
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Polished Half Crown Coin - Choose The Year - Birthday Gift
Polished Half Crown Coin - Choose The Year - Birthday Gift
£ 3.49
1956 British Queen Elizabeth 11  Half - Crown 2/6  coin. Rare .
1956 British Queen Elizabeth 11 Half - Crown 2/6 coin. Rare .
£ 70.00
1956 Half-Crown London Mint Last Face British Predecimal Coinage Golden Edition
1956 Half-Crown London Mint Last Face British Predecimal Coinage Golden Edition
£ 19.99
1956 Queen Elizabeth II Half Crown Coin Circulated Condition
1956 Queen Elizabeth II Half Crown Coin Circulated Condition
£ 2.95
HALF CROWN - 1953 TO 1967 - ELIZABETH II - CHOICE OF YEAR
HALF CROWN - 1953 TO 1967 - ELIZABETH II - CHOICE OF YEAR
£ 1.59
Elizabeth II Half-Crown Coins Choose your date 1953 - 1970
Elizabeth II Half-Crown Coins Choose your date 1953 - 1970
£ 1.99
Great Britain Half Crown 1956 Copper-nickel Coin Elizabeth II M125
Great Britain Half Crown 1956 Copper-nickel Coin Elizabeth II M125
£ 3.99
1956 Queen Elizabeth II Half Crown Coin Circulated Condition But Still Superb
1956 Queen Elizabeth II Half Crown Coin Circulated Condition But Still Superb
£ 3.95

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