© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
½ Penny - Elizabeth II 1st portrait
| Bronze | 5.6 g | 25.4 mm |
| Issuer | New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1953-1965 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Pound (1840-1967) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 5.6 g |
| Diameter | 25.4 mm |
| Thickness | 1.6 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#3922 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 7% |
Reverse
A Hei-tiki (ornamental Māori pendant) with Māori ornamental scrolls on each side, legend around, date below.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
NEW ZEALAND HALF PENNY
· 1965 ·
Engraver: L. C. Mitchell
Edge
Plain
Comment
The BU Uncirculated Sets issued in 1965, which was the last year of minting of the pre-decimal coins, came in three different versions.The Pink Label Set included just ordinary circulation coins that had not gone into circulation.
The Green Label Set included selected circulation coins that had not gone into circulation.
Together the Pink & Green Label sets had a mintage figure of 175,000 in total.
The Blue Label Set included special selected and polished uncirculated coins. Sometimes described as "Prooflike".
The Blue Label set had a mintage of 25,000 in total.
Obverse die varieties:
KM#23.1 (1953-55) no shoulder strap;
KM#23.2 (1956-65) with shoulder strap.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 1953-1965 New Zealand ½ Penny coin is that it was the first coin to feature Queen Elizabeth II's portrait, which was designed by sculptor Mary Gillick. The coin was also made of bronze, which was a change from the previous silver coins, and it weighed 5.6 grams.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | 727000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1954 | 240000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1955 | 240000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1956 | 1200000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1957 | 1440000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1958 | 1920000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1959 | 1920000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1960 | 2400000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1961 | 2880000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1962 | 2880000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1963 | 1680000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1964 | 2880000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1965 | 25000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for ½ Penny - Elizabeth II (1st portrait) 1953-1965 coin.
