Newfoundland fifty cents facts for kids
The Newfoundland fifty-cent piece was a special coin from Newfoundland, which is now part of Canada. It was one of the last new coins made during Queen Victoria's time. The first ones were created in 1870. This coin had a unique picture of Queen Victoria wearing a laurel wreath, which was different from other coins in British North America. This coin became very popular and important after some banks in Newfoundland faced problems in 1894. People trusted these coins more during that time.
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Queen Victoria's 50-Cent Coins (1870-1900)
This section looks at the fifty-cent coins made during the reign of Queen Victoria. These coins are known for their special "laureated portrait," which means Queen Victoria is shown wearing a laurel wreath on her head.
Coin Details
Here are the facts about how these coins were made:
| Designer and Engraver | What it's Made Of | Weight | Diameter | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonard Charles Wyon | .925 silver, .075 copper | 11.78 grams | 29.85 mm | Reeded (has grooves) |
How Many Were Made?
This table shows how many fifty-cent coins were produced each year:
| Year and Mint Mark | Number Made |
|---|---|
| 1870 | 50,000 |
| 1872H | 48,000 |
| 1873 | 37,675 |
| 1874 | 80,000 |
| 1876H | 28,000 |
| 1880 | 24,000 |
| 1881 | 50,000 |
| 1882H | 100,000 |
| 1885 | 40,000 |
| 1888 | 20,000 |
| 1894 | 40,000 |
| 1896 | 60,000 |
| 1898 | 79,607 |
| 1899 | 150,000 |
| 1900 | 150,000 |
Some of these coins have small differences, called "varieties." For example, the 1896 coin can have a large or small "W" in "Newfoundland." The 1898 coin also has different versions of the "W." The 1899 coin might have a "Wide 99" or a "Narrow 99" in its date.
King Edward VII's 50-Cent Coins (1904-1909)
After Queen Victoria, coins were made during the time of King Edward VII. These coins featured his portrait.
Coin Details
Here's how these coins were made:
| Designer (Front) | Designer (Back) | What it's Made Of | Weight | Diameter | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George William de Saulles | W.H.J. Blakemore | .925 silver, .075 copper | 11.78 grams | 29.85 mm | Reeded (has grooves) |
How Many Were Made?
This table shows the number of fifty-cent coins produced during King Edward VII's reign:
| Year and Mint Mark | Number Made |
|---|---|
| 1904H | 140,000 |
| 1907 | 100,000 |
| 1908 | 160,000 |
| 1909 | 200,000 |
King George V's 50-Cent Coins (1911-1919)
The final series of Newfoundland fifty-cent coins covered here were made during the reign of King George V.
Coin Details
Here are the specifications for these coins:
| Designer | Weight (1911) | Weight (1917–1919) | Diameter (1911) | Diameter (1917–1919) | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Edgar Bertram MacKennal | .925 silver, .075 copper | 11.78 grams | 11.66 grams | 29.85 mm | 29.72 mm | Reeded (has grooves) |
How Many Were Made?
This table shows the number of fifty-cent coins produced during King George V's reign:
| Year and Mint Mark | Number Made |
|---|---|
| 1911 | 200,000 |
| 1917C | 375,560 |
| 1918C | 294,824 |
| 1919C | 306,267 |
