© Spink and Son
© Spink and Son
½ Penny - William and Mary draped busts
1689 year| Bimetallic: copper centre in tin ring (copper plug) | 10.8 g | - |
| Issuer | England (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Ruling authority | William III, Mary II (1689-1694) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1689 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Pound sterling (1158-1970) |
| Composition | Bimetallic: copper centre in tin ring (copper plug) |
| Weight | 10.8 g |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#162966 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Seated figure of Britannia left with olive branch in raised right hand, spear in left, shield bearing the Union flag resting at left, legend around.
Script: Latin
Lettering: BRITAN NIA
Edge
Date on edge
Lettering: 1689
Comment
House of Stuart restored (1660-1714), William and Mary (1689-94).The standard weight for these pieces was 42 to the pound avoirdupois (8/21 ounce or 166.7 grains each).
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 1689 William and Mary ½ Penny coin is that it was the first coin to feature the joint portrait of the monarchs, with William III on the obverse (front) and Mary II on the reverse (back). This was a departure from the traditional practice of featuring a single monarch on the coinage, and it reflected the unique political situation of the time, with William and Mary ruling jointly as co-monarchs.
