British Half Crown Guide and values - 1839-1970

This is a small guide on the British half crowns, half for myself to refer to, and half for anybody who might want some details on them.

Victoria: 1839-1887 (Young Head)

The way these coins were minted are similar to the crown. Obverse contact marks are common, and do not always indicate cleaning.

For EF her hair detail should be clear at the back, and the coin problem free. For VF you should see some hair detail, and all the major details in the reverse.

The key date in this series and overall is without a doubt the 1839. The circulation version (2 plain fillets) is very rare, and generally catalogued at R4 (11-20 in existence) - At least 5 of these are known to be in worse condition then fine, and poor coins auctions at over £600 in terrible condition, rising to astronomical values in FDC. You are best picking up the proof version (discernible by the single ornate fillet on the front which can be had in EF-UNC condition for under £4000 if you are [very] patient.

The minor key dates in this series are 1840, 1841, 1843, and 1848. The 1843 is undervalued, whilst the 1841 is not as scarce as advertised, and likely overvalued at this time. If you are patient you can pick up all these dates in aEF for around £1000 or less, with the 1841 costing a little more.

It's a relatively challenging series to complete, but other than the 1839 where you may have to sacrifice morals and pick up a proof, it's definitely doable. For the key dates you are best looking at major auctions, for the others, ebay and similar may suffice. Expect to pay over £100 for all good coins in this series.

Victoria (Jubilee & Old head) 1887-1901

There coins are fairly commonplace, and regularly available via ebay and other online/retail vendors at fair prices. Not much to say about them, but you should be able to pick up good EF coins in the region of £50.

The exception is the 1893 proof, which retails far higher.

Edward VII - 1902-1910

After the young head series, this will be the most costly one for you to complete. Be aware of good counterfeits.

It presents two major challenges, and two minor challenges.

The 1905 coin is expensive, but fairly easy to pick up in higher grades. Expect it to cost you though. The 1903 coin is more readily available in poor condition, but for some reason is very difficult to pick up in EF+. These are likely to be the most costly two coins after the 1839 (and possibly the 1843). You are unlikely to pick up either of these for under £1000.

The two minor challenges are one of cost/value. They relate to the 1904 and 1908 dates. Be patient, and you can pick them up at relatively decent prices. Expect them to price somewhere between good young head coins, and the more common Edward VII dates. Expect to spend £400+ each.

The other dates are easier to obtain, but still relatively expensive compared to most in the overarching series. They will likely set you back £80-100 each.

George V - 1910-1936

A far larger set than Edward, but fortunately a relatively inexpensive one. Be wary of weak strikes and overgraded coins. For the majority of the series, £10-30 should be enough to buy you a good EF. Coins before 1920 may cost a little more. 1911, 1924, and 1926 can cost a touch more still.

The two key dates are 1925 and 1930. These are very cheap in low grades, but can cost up to £500 in higher grades. Unlike the 1903 and 1905 which are overpriced in low grades, it may be worth getting a lowish grade coin and just waiting for a neat opportunity to upgrade.

George VI and Elizabeth II (1937-1970

These are plentiful, and easy to obtain. Pay no more than £10 for an EF coin.

Thanks for the post oggy.

The reverse is a work of art. I'm going to get one.

Quote: "Peter M. Graham"​Thanks for the post oggy.
​
​The reverse is a work of art. I'm going to get one.

​
No worries, half crowns are my thing

PM me your address and let me know the reverse type you want and I'll send one off to you! Should have a few spares.

Worth mentioning that the Young head reverse is the same as that for the crown, so one coin should cover both bases - The only difference in the coins is the size and ornate fillets on the obverse in the crowns!

There seems to me to be a real lack of high quality references for modern 1/2 crowns compared to Pennies from the same period. I think any experienced collector can name a fewe xcellent sources for the humble 1d but I honestly can't think of a single one specific to these noble coins. I always made great use of "The English Silver Coinage from 1649" in my more active years but as the title implies it covers a much broader range. I'm not current with numismatic literature but I doubt given it's declining popularity that anything worthwhile has been produced in recent years.

I actually own a very nice 1914 one, for which I paid a bit more than £10. From very long ago I have a VG 1817 and F 1928 as well, but looking to upgrade those ones. Furthermore there's a VF 1887.

I collect by type and in a pretty generalistic way. My George V collection is only split in 1920 when reverses where changed because the Pound was taken off the gold standard and silver contents were lowered. The size of his portrait and coronation years I leave up to others.

I am a big fan of 1850-1920 era coinage!

If you want a space filler for the earlier half crowns you can usually get them pretty cheaply. I picked up my pre-Victorian half for NZ$15 at the most (£6) one or two I got in bulk lots. It's when you decide to go VF and higher that the prices start lifting. Here's the pre-Victorian ones I have

Just found this and agree with notes.



Incredibly worn William IV (Fair to AG) cost me $11 (Melt only)



The EF 1929 Top right cost me only $29 (£14) and is a nice example.

Coins before 1839 increase exponentially, particular 1751 and earlier



This 1670 is in gFine condition (Between F and VF) and cost me $375 (£190) and seems about correctly priced. In VG it would be around $120, Fine $300, VF $750 and a EF one if possible $2000 or more.

There is 1905 on a auction site and it is really really worn (Like Fair to Good) and so worn you can you just make out on the date its 1905 (Basically the top two thirds of the number, so there is not chance its a 3 or an 8). Yet Edward is complete and shows some details.

Should I buy it at $190 NZ (Close to £100) - definitely genuine and not a Chinese fake.

Turned down the 1905 - really want a nicer example.

These are a selection of my pre Victorian gold that arrived today.



That George IV is in pretty good condition (gFine/Fine).
The Willy is VG (I honestly only ever see worn as heck coins of his - my goal is to get a VF or better, hang the cost.

Now to concentrate on 20th century dates to fill up collection. I have enough examples of earlies for a while!

For the really adventurous - how about hammered half crowns?



This coin is over 200 years before Victoria.

Quote: "oggy"​

Quote: "Peter M. Graham"​Thanks for the post oggy.
​​
​​The reverse is a work of art. I'm going to get one.

​​
​No worries, half crowns are my thing
​
​PM me your address and let me know the reverse type you want and I'll send one off to you! Should have a few spares.
​
​Worth mentioning that the Young head reverse is the same as that for the crown, so one coin should cover both bases - The only difference in the coins is the size and ornate fillets on the obverse in the crowns!

​Hi Oggy do you mind if we copy and use this Murray