½ Crown - Elizabeth II 1st portrait; no 'BRITT:OMN'

Reverse

Crowned quartered shield of arms flanked by E and R, legend above, denomination and date below.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
+ FID· ·DEF +
E R
E·F C·T
HALF CROWN 1963

Unabridged legend:
Fidei Defensatrix
Elizabeth Regina

Translation:
Defender of the Faith
Queen Elizabeth

Engraver: Cecil Thomas

Edge

Reeded

Comment

House of Windsor (1917 to date), Elizabeth II (1952-2022), Pre-decimal issues (1953-70).

The standard weight of these coins was 5/11 troy ounce (218.2 grains). Under the Coinage Act of 1946, the composition changed from .500 silver to .750 copper/.250 nickel but the weight remained unchanged.

1962 obverse and reverse die varieties:
Obverse 3 I of GRATIA between beads, plain eyebrow, I of DEI to the left of a bead;
Obverse 4 I of GRATIA at a bead, incuse eyebrow, I of DEI between beads;
Reverse C D of DEF at a bead, medium rim, left leg of N in CROWN at a bead, gap between beads, small beads, cross after date between beads, rightmost bead on crown partially obscured, left leg of A of HALF between beads;
Reverse D D of DEF between beads, thin rim, left leg of N in CROWN between beads, small gap between beads, larger beads, cross after date at a bead, rightmost bead on crown clear, left leg of A of HALF to the left of a bead;