Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1/2 Crown 1953, KM# 893, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II
  • 1/2 Crown 1953, KM# 893, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II
Description

The half crown was a denomination of British money, equivalent to two shillings and sixpence, or 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 I half crowns were issued in every reign except Edward VIII, until the coins were discontinued in 1967.

Obverse

First portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II (laureate bust) facing right, wearing a wreath. It was introduced in 1953, one year after the Queen acceded to the throne. It captures the grace and youth of the 26-year-old new Queen. Her hair is restrained by a laureate crown which is tied with ribbons at the back of her head. The Queen's shoulders are bare and the truncation follows the curve of the coin. The engravers initials M.G. are incuse, generally faint, and are located on the raised edge found at the base of the bust.

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITANNIARUM OMNIUM REGINA means Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen of all the Britains.

Engraver: Mary Gillick

+ ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITT:OMN:REGINA
M.G.

Reverse

Crowned and garnished flat topped shield quartered with the arms of England, Scotland and Ireland, flanked by E and R, legend above, denomination and date below.

The Tudor Crown, also known as the King's Crown or Imperial Crown, is a widely used symbol in heraldry of the United Kingdom. While various crown symbols had been used for this purpose for many years previously, the specific Tudor Crown design was standardised at the request of Edward VII. It was never intended to represent any actual physical crown, although in shape it bears a close resemblance to the small diamond crown of Queen Victoria.

Upon the accession of Elizabeth II, she requested the design to be replaced with a representation of the St Edward's Crown (with depressed arches) which she wore at her coronation. Many, though not all, of the derived designs around the world were updated to match.

FIDEI DEFENSATRIX means Defender of the Faith.

E R stands for Elizabetha Regina (Queen Elizabeth).

Engravers: Edgar Fuller and Cecil Thomas

+ FID· ·DEF +
E R
E·F C·T
HALF CROWN 1953

Edge

1/2 Crown

1st portrait, with BRITT:OMN
KM# 893 Sp# 4137
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 14.14 g
Diameter 32.3 mm
Thickness 2.2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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