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. 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 ceased to circulate in 1971 when the United Kingdom adopted decimal currency.

During the English Revolution of the 1640s, a republican half-crown was issued, bearing the arms of the English Commonwealth, 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.

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 & 1658 Milled Half Crowns were issued of Oliver Cromwell
• Charles II of England 1663-1685 Silver Half Crown 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
• Edward VIII of the United Kingdom 1936 Silver Half Crown Not issued for circulation.
• George VI of the United Kingdom 1937-1952 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

See also

• Irish half-crown coin

Pre-decimalisation coins of the United Kingdom