Halfpenny (British pre-decimal coin) facts for kids
| United Kingdom | |
| Value | 12d sterling |
|---|---|
| Mass | (1860–1967) 5.67 g |
| Diameter | (1860–1967) 25.48 mm |
| Edge | Plain |
| Composition | (1672–1860) Copper (1860–1967) Bronze |
| Years of minting | 1672–1967 |
| Obverse | |
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| Design | Profile of the monarch (Elizabeth II design shown) |
| Designer | Mary Gillick |
| Design date | 1953 |
| Reverse | |
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| Design | Golden Hind (Britannia on earlier mintages) |
| Designer | Thomas Humphrey Paget |
| Design date | 1937 |
The British halfpenny was a coin used in the United Kingdom for a very long time. It was worth half of one penny. People often said "hay-pə-nee" instead of "halfpenny".
Before 1971, Britain used a different money system. It was called the pre-decimal system. In this system, one pound was equal to 20 shillings. Each shilling was worth 12 pence. This meant a halfpenny was a very small amount of money. It was only 1/480th of a pound!
The halfpenny coin was first made from copper. Later, after 1860, it was made from bronze. It stopped being used as official money on July 31, 1969. However, some special halfpennies dated 1970 were made for collectors.
The halfpenny had two main designs on its back. From 1672 until 1936, it showed a picture of Britannia. Britannia is a symbol of Britain, often shown as a woman with a shield and trident. After 1937, the coin showed a picture of the famous ship, the Golden Hind. Like all British coins, the front of the halfpenny always showed the portrait of the king or queen at the time.
Contents
Coin Designs Over Time
The halfpenny coin changed its look many times. The front of the coin always showed the current monarch. The back of the coin had two main designs.
Britannia Design
The first design on the back of the bronze halfpenny showed Britannia. She was sitting down and holding a trident. The words "HALF PENNY" were written on either side of her.
Before 1895, some halfpennies also had a small lighthouse on Britannia's left side. A ship was shown on her right side. Over the years, small changes were made to the sea around Britannia. The angle of her trident also changed a bit. Some coins had bumpy edges, while others had smooth edges.
Monarchs on the Front
The front of the halfpenny always featured the ruler of Britain.
- Edward VII, George V, George VI, and Elizabeth II each had one main portrait design for their halfpennies.
- During Queen Victoria's long reign, two different portraits were used.
- No halfpennies were officially released with the image of Edward VIII. This was because he ruled for a very short time.
Queen Victoria's Portraits
When Queen Victoria was on the throne, the halfpenny first showed her with a "bun head" or "draped bust." The words around her portrait were in Latin: "VICTORIA D G BRITT REG F D". This means "Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britains, Defender of the Faith."
In 1895, a new portrait was used. This was called the "old head" or "veiled bust." The words on these coins were longer: "VICTORIA DEI GRA BRITT REGINA FID DEF IND IMP". This means "Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India."
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Edward VII and George V
Coins made during the reign of Edward VII showed his portrait. The words on these coins were "EDWARDVS VII DEI GRA BRITT OMN REX FID DEF IND IMP". This means "Edward VII, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India."
Similarly, coins from George V's time showed his portrait. They had the words "GEORGIVS V DEI GRA BRITT OMN REX FID DEF IND IMP". This means "George V, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India."
Edward VIII's Special Coin
A very rare halfpenny exists from King Edward VIII's time, dated 1937. This was a "pattern coin." It was made to be approved, but the King gave up his throne before it could be officially released.
The portrait of Edward VIII on this coin faces left. This was unusual because kings and queens usually changed the direction they faced on coins. Edward VIII thought his left side looked better. Some people thought breaking this tradition was bad luck for his reign. The words on this special coin were "EDWARDVS VIII D G BR OMN REX F D IND IMP".
Golden Hind Design
The halfpennies made for King George VI and Elizabeth II had a new design on the back. It showed Sir Francis Drake's famous ship, the Golden Hind.
Coins from George VI's reign had the words "GEORGIVS VI D G BR OMN REX F D IND IMP" before 1949. After 1949, they changed to "GEORGIVS VI D G BR OMN REX FIDEI DEF".
Halfpennies were made throughout the early years of Elizabeth II's reign. In 1953, they had "ELIZABETH II DEI GRA BRITT OMN REGINA F D". After that, they changed to "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D".
See also
- Shove ha'penny
