United Kingdom
| Value | 0.005 pound sterling |
| Mass | 1.78 g |
| Diameter | 17.14 mm |
| Thickness | 1 mm |
Full Answer
How much is a halfpenny worth?
With a history spanning over 800 years, there are many rare and collectible Halfpenny coins. Even some of the most recent United Kingdom decimal coins are sought-after by numismatics or coin collectors, and can now sell for around £100. More historical Halfpenny coins have sold for well over £300.
What is the most valuable British penny?
The most valuable rare English coins from history – and how much they’re worth
- 1917 George V sovereign London mint. ...
- 1933 George V penny. ...
- 1937 Edward VIII brass threepence. ...
- Silver 2p (1971 to 1992) The copper of the old 2p coin is of a distinctive hue, so it shouldn’t be too hard to spot if you’ve got any of ...
- 1983 New Pence 2p coin. ...
- 1996 football European Championships gold proof two pound. ...
Which old pennies are the most valuable?
- 1944 copper Lincoln cent: 1.5 billion minted, worth between 3 and 5 cents
- 1944-D copper Lincoln cent: 430 million minted, worth between 3 and 5 cents
- 1944-S copper Lincoln cent: 283 million minted, worth between 3 and 5 cents
- 1944-D over S copper Lincoln cent: worth $100 or more
- 1944 steel penny: 15 – 20 minted, worth $100,000 or more
What is a half penny?
What Does A Half Penny Mean? Halfpenny* *h*- p*n(t)s, US also halfpenny* *pen(t)s, h*f- * or halfpennies : a formerly used British coin representing one half of a penny. A penny is equal to half a penny. A small amount is three.
Are British half pennies worth anything?
Even some of the most recent United Kingdom decimal coins are sought-after by numismatics or coin collectors, and can now sell for around £100. More historical Halfpenny coins have sold for well over £300. Despite being a relatively commonly circulating coin, older or unique Halfpennies can still be very valuable.
What is a 1/2 penny?
The traditional Half Penny coin was usually known as a Halfpenny. It had a worth of one four-hundred-and-eightieth of a pound sterling or half of a Penny. As a milled coin it was originally minted in Copper and the first year struck was 1673; after 1860 it was minted in Bronze. It ceased to be legal tender in 1969.
When did the decimal Halfpenny go out of circulation?
The Halfpenny – of half pence – was withdrawn from circulation in 1984, after lengthy consideration by the Treasury which considered it important in the fight against inflation. It was believed that having a half-pence coin prevented goods from being rounded-up in price.
When did the UK stop using half pennies?
Originally it was planned that old money would be phased out of circulation over eighteen months, but as it turned out, the old penny, halfpenny and threepenny coins were officially taken out of circulation as early as August 1971.
What is a half cent worth?
As you can imagine, Half cent values vary depending on the coin type and minting year. It contained pure copper with the denomination of one half-cent or 1/200th of a dollar....Half centFace value$0.005 (0.5 cents) Some varieties have 1/200 marking on the reverseShapeRound5 more rows•Jan 28, 2022
Was there a half penny coin?
The half cent was the smallest denomination of United States coin ever minted. It was first minted in 1793 and last minted in 1857. It was minted with five different designs.
What is the most valuable half penny?
The 1923 half-penny is one of Australia's rarest pre-decimal coins, produced in an era of economic growth and industrial turmoil....What Is the Value of a 1923 Halfpenny?ConditionPriceVery Fine$1,250Extremely Fine$5,000About Uncirculated$15,000Uncirculated$25,0002 more rows•Jul 16, 2010
Do banks take old decimal coins?
The first bit of good news is that, though pre-decimal coins are no longer legal tender, some banks will still exchange them for their decimal equivalent face value.
What old British coins are worth money?
Most valuable and rare UK coins wanted by collectors1973 EEC 50 Pence Coin – valued at £3,000.2012 London Olympics Aquatics Fifty Pence – valued at £1,500.1983 Two Pence “New Pence” Coin – valued at £500.2015 Silver Two Pence Coin – valued at £485.2009 Kew Gardens Fifty Pence Coin – valued at £170.More items...
Are half pennies still legal tender?
The halfpenny survived until decimalisation, ceasing to be legal tender from 31 July 1969.
When did UK change decimal?
15 February 1971On Monday 15 February 1971, Britain went decimal, however 40 years after the first decimal coins entered circulation it was time for rejuvenation. Discover the inspiration behind Matthew Dent's new designs.
Why was the half penny discontinued?
Mint discontinued the half penny in 1857, due to its lack of significant monetary value at the time. Yet adjusted for inflation, the half penny then would be worth about 14 cents today. That's the equivalent of getting rid of not just the modern penny, but also the modern nickel and dime for being virtually worthless.
What is the British halfpenny?
/. 2 d) coin, usually simply known as a ha'penny (pronounced / ˈheɪpəni / ), historically occasionally also as the obol and once abbreviated ‘ob’ (from the Latin ‘obulus’), was a unit of currency that equalled half of a penny or 1. /.
What is the meaning of the coin "Halfpenny"?
Like all British coinage, it bore the portrait of the monarch on the obverse. "Halfpenny" was colloquially written ha’penny, and " 1. +. 1. /. 2 d" was spoken as "a penny ha’penny" / ə ˈpɛni ˈheɪpni / or three ha’pence / θriː ˈheɪpəns /. Before Decimal Day in 1971 there were 240 pence in one pound sterling.
When did the halfpenny of King Edward VIII come out?
A halfpenny of King Edward VIII (1936) does exist, dated 1937 , but technically it is a pattern coin i.e. one produced for official approval; it would probably have been due to receive this approval at about the time that the King abdicated.
When did the half penny stop being legal tender?
Originally the halfpenny was minted in copper, but after 1860 it was minted in bronze. In the run-up to decimalisation it ceased to be legal tender from 31 July 1969. The halfpenny featured two different designs on its reverse during its years in circulation.
Who designed the Britannia coin?
The original reverse of the bronze version of the coin, designed by Leonard Charles Wyon, is a seated Britannia, holding a trident, with the words HALF PENNY to either side. Issues before 1895 also feature a lighthouse to Britannia's left and a ship to her right.
Did Queen Victoria have a halfpenny?
Over the long reign of Queen Victoria two different obverses were used, but the short reign of Edward VIII meant no halfpennies bearing his likeness were ever issued. During Victoria’s reign, the halfpenny was first issued with the so-called ‘bun head’, or ‘draped bust’ of Queen Victoria on the obverse.
When was the decimal halfpenny introduced?
A guide to the Decimal Halfpenny. June 18, 2021 January 24, 2021 by Joe Trewick. The decimal halfpenny was introduced during the decimalisation of currency in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It followed the pre-decimal halfpenny, which ceased to be legal tender in 1969.
When was the half penny invented?
The decimal halfpenny was introduced in February 1971 during the Decimal Day of the United Kingdom and Ireland with the inscription ‘NEW PENNY’, to indicate that it was a new decimal coin. The decimal halfpenny was legal tender up to 20 pence.
How much does a 1971 halfpenny weigh?
The Crown is solid gold and weighs 2.23 kilograms, with 444 precious stones to decorate it. 1971 Halfpenny Reverse Design ( CC BY-SA 3.0) The obverse design of the coin features the profile of Queen Elizabeth designed by Arnold Machin RA. This design was introduced by Machin in 1968 and continued to be used on British coins until 1984.
What is the St Edward's coin?
The coin was minted from bronze, similarly to the 1p and 2p coins. The design pays tribute to the St Edward’s Crown, the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. The present version of the Crown has been used to crown monarchs ever since George V, who brought back the tradition at the beginning of his reign.
When did the half penny change to half penny?
The inscription was changed to ‘HALF PENNY’ between 1982 and 1984 as the coins were no longer considered new, so to speak.
Does withdrawing the half penny cause inflation?
The Treasury had assumed that withdrawing the halfpenny would cause inflation as retailers would round the prices of products up, but it has since been argued that the impact was negligible compared to macroeconomic factors. There were plans of a new decimal coin to be introduced with a value of a quarter-penny, ...
When was the half penny introduced?
Introduced in 1971, the British decimal halfpenny was the smallest ever UK coin. As a result, it was never popular and was withdrawn in 1984. . Collectible halfpenny coins. . Pennies have been part of history in Great Britain since Anglo-Saxon times.
What year was the first half penny minted?
A 1694 halfpenny, from the reign of William and Mary, is the first minted from copper. In 1694 the tin coins were replaced by the first copper halfpenny coins. These featured the conjoined images of William and Mary on the obverse, and an image of Britannia seated on the reverse.
How much did a 1807 halfpenny weigh?
The halfpenny coins were 30mm diameter and weighed 13.23g. In 1811 Bolton supplied the Royal Mint with machinery for a new mint at Tower Hill.
Why were half penny coins minted?
Various halfpenny coins were minted in unsuccessful attempts to resolve this shortage. These included the minting of some tin halfpenny coins. The tin coins also had the advantage of supporting the flagging Cornish tin mines. However, they corroded too easily and were soon withdrawn.
What coin was in shortage in the 18th century?
.#N#At the end of the 18th century a shortage of small value coins, such as silver pennies and halfpennies, made trade difficult. This shortage was so great that some merchants and mining companies began to produce their own copper penny and half-pence ‘token’ coins.
When did the penny stop being minted?
Pennies and halfpence coins continued to be minted for general circulation until 1967. Final proof sets were minted in 1970 before decimalisation in 1971 marked the end of the old penny. The decimal halfpenny measured just 17.14mm, weighed only 1.78g and was only ever minted in bronze. It was the smallest ever UK coin.
When did silver pennies stop being issued?
Silver pennies and halfpence coins continued to be minted until 1660, when they ceased to be issued for general circulation. Some silver pennies and half pennies were, though, issued from 1707 – 1797 as Maundy Money. .
Who abolished the half penny?
Nigel Lawson: The chancellor who abolished the halfpenny. Apart from annoyance to ordinary people, the reasons for getting rid of the coin were compelling. "High inflation in the late 1970s had devalued the coin to the point that it was insignificant and costly to produce," says the British Museum's modern money curator Thomas Hockenhull. ...
Why did the government delay ending the half penny?
The Treasury's delay in ending the halfpenny arose from fears that if the coin was abolished, retailers would raise prices to the nearest penny, which would in turn contribute to inflation. By 1984, the government had got to a point where it believed so few transactions would be affected, there would be no measurable impact.
What is the story of the halfpenny?
Hileman says the story of the halfpenny fits into a broader question over "the big problem of small change". "There's an economic impact to having fewer denominations - it can create friction when the denomination isn't micro enough to accommodate the transactions people want to do.
Why was the Canadian penny withdrawn?
The Canadian penny was withdrawn from circulation last year because production costs exceeded its monetary value. There has been a long-running debate in the US over the future of its single cent and the future of the British penny has been questioned. In 1984, not many people mourned the loss of the halfpenny.
When did the pendulum coin die?
The then Chancellor Nigel Lawson announced the coin's demise in a written Commons answer in 1984, saying "most people would be glad to get rid of them".
Is a half penny a national symbol?
It also didn't symbolise a national identity. The halfpenny was always a part of a penny, never its own entity. Back in the 1300s they used to literally cut pennies in half to get halfpennies, or quarters for a farthing," he says.
Did the withdrawal of the coin affect inflation?
Dr Kevin Clancy, director of the Royal Mint Museum, agrees that it is "profoundly unlikely" that the coin's withdrawal had any impact on inflation.
What is a pre decimal halfpenny?
A Guide to the Pre-Decimal Halfpenny. The British pre-decimal halfpenny coin was often referred to as the half penny or halfpenny. This was a unit of currency that was equal to half a penny or one-four-hundred-and-eightieth of a pound sterling. If you are more interested in learning about the decimal halfpenny, issued in 1971, ...
When did the half penny change to bronze?
However, this was then switched to bronze in 1860. The pre-decimal halfpenny had two different designs while it was in circulation. Initially, the image of Britannia was on the reverse. This was from 1672 all the way through until 1936. 1936 Halfpenny with Britannia Design.
How long has it been since the pre decimal coin was invented?
Despite the fact that it has been around 50 years since decimalisation occurred, the names of the old pre-decimalisation coins can be seen and heard everywhere.
What does the pattern coin mean?
However, this is a pattern coin technically, which means it is one that has been created for official approval. In all likelihood, it would have been due to receive the King’s approval around the time of the abdication of the King. The observe shows a portrait of the king, which is left-facing.
When did the halfpenny stop being legal tender?
In the run-up to decimalisation, it ceased to be legal tender from the 31st of July in 1969 , being replaced by the eventual decimal halfpenny. The halfpenny was colloquially spoken as “a penny ha’penny” and written as ha’penny. It was a small, circular coin, with smooth edges. ‘If you haven’t got a penny,
How many pence are in a pound?
Prior to this date, the British pound was made up of 20 shillings, each of which was made up of 12 pence, totalling 240 pence . With decimalisation, the pound kept its old name and value, with the changes made to the subunits. The shilling was abolished and the pound was then divided into 100 new pence.
What does the idiom "half penny" mean?
In other words, the ‘ha’p’orth’ is a contraction of ‘half penny’s worth’ and the idiom means to spoil a job through being stringy with regard to the details.