Description

The British pre-decimal halfpenny (½d) coin, usually simply known as a halfpenny, was a unit of currency that equalled half of a penny or 1/480th of a pound sterling. Originally the halfpenny was minted in copper, but after 1860 it was minted in bronze.

The original coin was not often called a 'half penny', neither was the plural said as 'half pence'. The usual pronunciation sounded like 'hayp-knee' referring to a single coin or 'haypunce' in the plural.

Extensive variations in design continued throughout the reign of Elizabeth II:

1954
· Reverse A - L of HALF at a bead, smaller teeth
· Reverse B - L of HALF between beads, longer teeth

1956
· Obverse 3 / Reverse C - D of DEI between beads, I of DEI nearly at a bead, L of HALF between beads
· Obverse 3 / Reverse D - D of DEI between beads, I of DEI nearly at a bead, L of HALF at a bead
· Obverse 4 / Reverse D - D of DEI at a bead, I of DEI between beads, L of HALF at a bead

1957 (reverse)
· Calm Sea
· Normal (rough) Sea

1958
· Reverse E - 18.75 mm from mainmast to base of sea
· Reverse F - 19.00 mm from mainmast to base of sea
· Reverse G - 19.00 mm from mainmast to base of sea, shorter border teeth

1967
· Normal rim: I of GRATIA directly at a tooth
· Wide rim: I of GRATIA slightly to the left of a tooth