Values in the table above are expressed in GBP. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

The British half crown was a denomination of sterling coinage worth 1⁄ 8 of one pound, or two shillings and six pence (abbreviated " 2/6", familiarly " two and six"), or 30 (old) pence. The half crown was first issued in 1549, in the reign of Edward VI. No half crowns were issued in the reign of Mary, but from the reign of Elizabeth I half crowns were issued in every reign except that of Edward VIII, until the coins were discontinued in 1970.The design of the Irish Half Crown coin featured an Irish Hunter Horse. This was chosen given the large importance animals had on farming and rural life in Ireland at the time, the Irish Hunter Horse would have been commonly owned during this period. The halfcrown was a large coin, from 1816 to it’s final minting having a diameter of 32mm and weight of 14.1g. In pre-decimalised Britain when the Crown was essentially a commemorative coin, the half crown was the largest denomination coin in circulation and had considerable spending power.

George III had an impressive reign as King between 1760 and 1820, meaning there are a large variety of half crowns from this era available to buy. In this article, we’ll explore the history of the half crown and give some examples of how much they can be worth. History of the Half Crown Below the Irish Half Crown coin values are shown on a grading scale, the higher on the scale the better condition the coin is in which makes it more valuable. This coin is also featured on our Top 20 Valuable Irish Coins Article which you may be interested in.

Specifications

King George V 1910–1936: silver half crown, sterling silver (92½% silver) until 1919, then 50% silver. This design was adapted from the original designs by Publio Morbiducci which were chosen for the coinage of the Irish free state in 1927. Many of the designs used in this coin series were reused in the Irish Decimal Coin series, Including the design for the Half Crown coin, which was used again on the Irish 20 Pence Coin. During the English Interregnum of 1649-1660, a republican half crown was issued, bearing the arms of the Commonwealth of England, despite monarchist associations of the coin's name. When Oliver Cromwell made himself Lord Protector of England, half crowns were issued bearing his semi-royal portrait. The half crown was minted for approximately 263 years, with many being hammered or milled before that.