© Numista (CC BY)
© Numista (CC BY)
½ New Penny - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait
| Bronze (97% Cu, 2.5% Zn, 0.5% Sn) | 1.78 g | 17.14 mm |
| Issuer | United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1971-1981 |
| Value | ½ Penny (0.005 GBP) |
| Currency | Pound sterling (decimalized, 1971-date) |
| Composition | Bronze (97% Cu, 2.5% Zn, 0.5% Sn) |
| Weight | 1.78 g |
| Diameter | 17.14 mm |
| Thickness | 1.07 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | 31 December 1984 |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#856 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 3% |
Reverse
Central crown of St. Edward, denomination in letters above and numerals below.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
NEW PENNY
½
Designer: Christopher Ironside
Edge
Plain
Comment
Although these coins were not released until Decimalisation Day on 15th February 1971, HRH Philip, Duke of Edinburgh struck 6 of the new halfpennies at the opening of the new Royal Mint in Llantrisant, Glamorgan on 17th December 1968.The production of the ½ New Penny was necessary since the old sixpence (with a decimal face value of 2.5p) continued in use up until 1980 and merchants had the ability to charge in nearly as small units as they could previously with the old money.
The Treasury continued to argue that the halfpenny was important in the fight against inflation until the coin became uneconomical to produce and consequently was demonetised and withdrawn from circulation in December 1984. Banks sent unused stocks back to the Royal Mint to be melted down, therefore less of the original mintage remains.
Christopher Ironside designed all six new denominations for decimalisation for which he was awarded the OBE in 1971.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the ½ New Penny - Elizabeth II (2nd portrait) 1971-1981 from United Kingdom is that it was the first coin to feature the new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which was introduced in 1971 to replace the previous portrait that had been used since 1953. This new portrait was designed by sculptor Arnold Machin and features a more mature and regal image of the Queen, with a slightly different crown and a more detailed background. This coin was also the first to be made of bronze, which was a change from the previous cupro-nickel composition used for the 1d and 2d coins.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 350000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1972 | 150000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1973 | 100000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1974 | 100000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1975 | 100000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1976 | 100000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1977 | 193000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1978 | 86100 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1979 | 81000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1980 | 143000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1981 | 100300 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for ½ New Penny - Elizabeth II (2nd portrait) 1971-1981 coin.
