How to collect 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. Due to it's long history, Half-Crowns are great to collect.
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. You can see Half-Crowns on eBay UK (affiliate link)
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.
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.
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. You can see Half-Crowns on eBay UK (affiliate link)
Which Half-Crowns to look for?
The lowest mintage Half-Crowns are:(These are coins in our database, list may not be exhustive)
- 1905 Half Crown (mintage: 166,000)
- 1842 Halfcrown - Victoria (mintage: 486,288)
- 1834 Halfcrown - William IV (mintage: 993,100)
- 1894 Half Crown (mintage: 1,524,900)
- 1836 Half-Crown - William IV (mintage: 1,588,750)
- 1885 Halfcrown (mintage: 1,628,400)
- 1893 Halfcrown - Victoria (mintage: 1,792,600)
- 1826 Half Crown - George IV (mintage: 2,189,000)
- 1818 Halfcrown - George III (mintage: 2,905,000)
- 1953 Halfcrown - Elizabeth II (mintage: 4,333,214)
These Half-Crowns are rare
- 1658 Half-Crown - Oliver Cromwell (mintage: Rare)
Coins in the Half-Crowns Category
 | Elizabeth I (1558-1603) | |
 | James I (1603-1625) | |
 | Charles I (1625-1649) | |
 | Oliver Cromwell / Commonwealth (1649-1660) | |
 | Charles II (1660-1685) | |
 | William and Mary (1689-1694) | |
 | William III (1694-1702) | |
 | Anne (1702-1714) | |
 | George II (1727-1760) | |
 | George III (1760-1820) | |
 | George IV (1820-1830) | |
 | William IV (1830-1837) | |
 | Victoria (1837-1901) | |
 | Edward VII (1901-1910) | |
 | George V (1910-1936) | |
 | George VI (1936-1952) | |
 | Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
More Information about Half-Crown coins for Collectors
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.
Half-Crown Size and Weight
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.Half-Crown Silver Content
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.