Halfpenny (British decimal coin)

The British decimal halfpenny (1/2p) coin was introduced in February 1971, at the time of decimalisation, and was worth one two-hundredth of a pound sterling. It was ignored in banking transactions, which were carried out in units of 1p.

For the pre-decimal halfpenny coin, see Halfpenny (British pre-decimal coin).
Halfpenny
United Kingdom
Value0.005 pound sterling
Mass1.78 g
Diameter17.14 mm
Thickness1 mm
Edgeplain
Compositionbronze
Years of minting1971–1984
Obverse
DesignQueen Elizabeth II
DesignerArnold Machin
Design date1971
Reverse
DesignSt Edward's Crown
DesignerChristopher Ironside
Design date1971

The decimal halfpenny had the same value as 1.2 pre-decimal pence, and was introduced to enable the prices of some low-value items to be more accurately translated to the new decimal currency. The possibility of setting prices including an odd half penny also made it more practical to retain the pre-decimal sixpence in circulation (with a value of 2+1/2 new pence) alongside the new decimal coinage.

The halfpenny coin's obverse featured the profile of Queen Elizabeth II; the reverse featured an image of St Edward's Crown. It was minted in bronze (like the 1p and 2p coins). It was the smallest decimal coin in both size and value. The size was in proportion to the 1p and 2p coins. It soon became Britain's least favourite coin.[1] The Treasury had continued to argue that the halfpenny was important in the fight against inflation (preventing prices from being rounded up).[1] The coin was demonetised and withdrawn from circulation in December 1984.[1]

Design

The reverse of the coin, designed by Christopher Ironside, was a representation of St Edward's Crown, with the numeral "1/2" below the crown, and either NEW PENNY (1971–1981) or HALF PENNY (1982–1984) above the crown.

Only one design of obverse was used on the halfpenny coin. The inscription around the portrait on the obverse was ELIZABETH II D.G.REG.F.D. 19xx,[2] where 19xx was the year of minting. Both sides of the coin are encircled by dots, a common feature on coins, known as beading.

As on all decimal coins produced before 1984, the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin appeared on the obverse;[3] in this portrait the Queen wears the 'Girls of Great Britain and Ireland' Tiara.

Status

The half penny coin was legal tender for amounts not exceeding 20 pence.[4] However, legal tender in the UK has a very narrow meaning, that is unlikely to affect everyday transactions. Legal tender means that a debtor can not be successfully sued for non-payment of a debt if he has offered unconditionally to pay in legal tender.[5] The defendant in such a case would be able to raise a defence of tender before claim.[6]

A shopkeeper, for example, was not under any obligation to accept half penny coins for payment; conversely they have the discretion to accept payment in just half penny coins if they so wished.[7]

Mintages

Annual number of coins released into general circulation (excludes proof sets)[8][9]

  • 1971 ~ 1,394,188,251
  • 1972 ~ In proof sets only
  • 1973 ~ 365,680,000
  • 1974 ~ 365,448,000
  • 1975 ~ 197,600,000
  • 1976 ~ 412,172,000
  • 1977 ~ 66,368,000
  • 1978 ~ 59,532,000
  • 1979 ~ 219,132,000
  • 1980 ~ 202,788,000
  • 1981 ~ 46,748,000
  • 1982 ~ 190,752,000
  • 1983 ~ 7,600,000
  • 1984 ~ In proof sets and 'uncirculated' sets only

Proposed quarter penny coin

A decimal quarter-penny coin (to be struck in aluminium) was also proposed (which would have allowed the pre-decimal threepence to continue to circulate with a value of 1+1/4 new pence), but was never produced.[10][11]

gollark: Let me go further and say that the processing is irrelevant; even if we had conscious access to all the inputs directly it would not be possible to prove that they actually corresponded to reality.
gollark: Which would be a cool effect. I wonder how genetically engineerable it would be.
gollark: I assume they'd just assume it was fluorescent if the eyes looked glowy/overly bright.
gollark: Besides, there has to be some similarly insane stuff for training data.
gollark: You underestimate people.

See also

References
  1. 1984: Halfpenny coin to meet its maker, BBC News
  2. Clayton, Tony. "Decimal Coins of the UK - Halfpenny". Retrieved 2006-05-24.
  3. "1p Coin". British Royal Mint. Archived from the original on 2006-04-27. Retrieved 2006-05-23.
  4. "Coinage Act 1971: Section 2", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1971 c. 24 (s. 2)
  5. "What are the legal tender amounts acceptable for UK coins? | The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  6. November 2015, Masood Ahmed. "Defence of tender before claim". Law Society Gazette. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  7. "What is legal tender?". www.bankofengland.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  8. Michael, Michael (2013). Standard Catalog of World Coins - 1901-2000. Krause Publications. pp. 990. ISBN 1440229627.
  9. "Mintage Figures: United Kingdom Decimal Coins issued into general circulation up to 31 December 2012". www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 2019-06-29.
  10. Tony Clayton. "The Change to Decimal Coinage". Archived from the original on 2008-03-29. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  11. "Royal Mint - Elizabeth II Uniface pattern Quarter decimal pence. Type II". www.rct.uk. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  1. https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces39976.html
  2. https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/ireland-5-pence-token-km-tn2-1805-1806-5-cuid-1125489-duid-1473001
  3. https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces38388.html
  4. http://www.irishcoinage.com/J00078.HTM
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