Half-Crown coin of Oliver Cromwell, 1658

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Half-Crown

The half-crown was a denomination of British money worth two shillings and sixpence, being one-eighth of a pound. The half-crown was first issued in 1549, in the reign of Edward VI. more...

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No half-crowns were issued in the reign of Mary, but from the reign of Elizabeth half-crowns were issued in every reign except Edward VIII, until the coins were discontinued in 1967. The half-crown was demonetised (ahead of other pre-decimal coins) on 1 January 1970, the year before the United Kingdom adopted decimal currency.

During the English Interregnum of 1649-1660, a republican half-crown was issued, bearing the arms of the Commonwealth of England, despite the name of the coin's monarchist associations. When Oliver Cromwell made himself Lord Protector of England, half-crowns were issued bearing his semi-royal portrait.

Interestingly, the half-crown did not display its value on the reverse until 1893.

The half-crown coin was nicknamed the \"half-dollar\".

History of the Half-crown by Reign

Henry VIII of England 1526: The first British Half Crown was struck in gold.; Edward VI of England 1551: Issued the first Half Crown in Silver. The coin was dated and showed the King riding a horse.; 1554 – Mary of England married Philip II of Spain and the Half Crown was struck but was never issued for circulation. Three specimens exist.; Elizabeth I of England gold Half Crowns were issued again. At the end of the reign silver half crowns were issued.; James I of England gold Half Crowns were issued again. During the reign silver half crowns were issued.; Charles I of England Silver Half Crowns were issued, including those struck as OBSIDINAL money, money of necessity during the Civil War period.; Commonwealth of England Oliver Cromwell silver Half Crowns were issued. During years 1656 and 1658 Milled Half Crowns were issued of Oliver Cromwell; Charles II of England 1663-1685 Silver Half Crowns were issued, and this period saw the end of the hammered issue of half crowns.; James II of England 1685-1688 Silver Half Crown; William & Mary of England 1689-1694 Silver Half Crown; William III of England 1694-1702 Silver Half Crown; Anne of Great Britain 1702-1714 Silver Half Crown; George I of Great Britain 1714-1727 Silver Half Crown; George II of Great Britain 1727-1760 Silver Half Crown; George III of Great Britain 1760-1820 Silver Half Crown; George IV of Great Britain 1820-1830 Silver Half Crown; William IV of the United Kingdom 1830-1837 Silver Half Crown; Victoria of the United Kingdom 1837-1901 Silver Half Crown; Edward VII of the United Kingdom 1902-1910 Silver Half Crown; George V of the United Kingdom 1910-1936 Silver Half Crown Sterling silver (92½% silver) until 1919, then 50% silver; Edward VIII of the United Kingdom 1936 50% Silver Half Crown Not issued for circulation.; George VI of the United Kingdom 1937-1952 50% Silver Half Crowns were issued until 1946 when the metal was changed to cupro-nickel; Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom 1952- The last Half Crown was issued in 1970 at the time of decimalisation;