The 1971 Halfpenny - Elizabeth IIThe United Kingdom moved to decimal currency in February 1971 and the old halfpenny (1/480th of £1) moved to the new currency as the halfpence (1/200th of a £1). The idea was that by keeping the halfpenny then price rises could be less (as the minimum rise did not need to be rounded up a penny - which remember was 2.4 old pence) and also that the popular old sixpence, now equivalent to 2½ new pence) could be maintained.
But decimalisation the beginning of the end for the halfpenny. Inflation had already made it near worthless. The coin was very small and unpopular with the public leading to the coin being demonetised in 1984.
The Reverse was designed by Christopher Ironside, showing St Edwards Crown in the centre, above the value '½'. Initially the text 'New Penny' was added to differentiate the coin from the old halfpenny (although the new coin was considerably smaller, 25mm->17mm, and about one-third of the weight), and the text was changed to 'Half Penny' in 1982.
The Obverse is by Arnold Machin, showing Queen Elizabeth II and the legend "ELIZABETH II D.G.REG.F.D.1971".Alloy: Bronze
Weight: 1.78 g
Diameter: 17.10mm
Image credit: The Royal Mint
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Mintage: 1,394,188,251 (may include coins in sets)
Minted at The Royal Mint.
Remember 1971 ?
On 15th February UK switched to Decimal currency. All restrictions on gold ownership where lifted, as since 1966 Britons it was illegal to hold more than four gold coins or from buying any new ones without a licence. The Morris Marina car which succeeded the Morris Minor. The M6 Spaghetti Junction opened near Birmingham. Inflation was 8.6% - and decimalisation was blamed.
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: Halfpenny
The halfpenny coin was introduced in 1672 and was minted until 1984 when inflation made it almost worthless. Worth half a penny (1/480th of One Pound), it was usually pronounced 'ape-knee'.- Weight: (1860–1967) 5.67 g
- Diameter: (1860–1967) 25.48 mm
- Edge: Plain
- Composition
- (1672–1860) Copper
- (1860–1967) Bronze
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.
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| 1971 HALF NEW PENNY COIN UNCIRCULATED FIRST DECIMAL ISSUE HALFPENNY IN CAPSULE £ 4.95 |
| Proof Half Penny 1971 uncurculated collectors £ 16.00 |
| 1971 half penny decimal "uncirculated Rare" COLLECTORS COIN £ 16.00 |
| 1971 Decimal Half Penny/ Pence coins Mint Sealed In Its Original Barclays Paper £ 50.00 |
 | 1971 HALF NEW PENNY COIN UNCIRCULATED CONDITION FIRST ISSUE OF DECIMAL HALFPENNY £ 1.00 |
 | Half Penny GB Great Britain Halfpenny Halfpennies Coin Choice. £ 1.99 |
 | Stunning Uk 1971 Half Penny - Ms66 Rd Grade: a Pristine Rarity Great Britain £ 110.00 |
 | 1967 2p Half Penny Coin £ 199.99 |
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