The half crown was a denomination of British money worth two shillings and sixpence, being one-eighth of a pound and half of a crown. 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 Edward VIII, until the coins were discontinued in 1967. The half crown was demonetised (ahead of other pre-decimal coins) on 1 January 1970, the year before the United Kingdom adopted decimal currency on Decimal Day.
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 did not display its value on the reverse until 1893.
Half Crowns are widely collected British coins. Find fine rare half crowns for sale below.
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 EXTREMELY RARE FIRST REVERSE 1823 HALFCROWN SILVER COIN GEORGE IIII GVF+ $8,701.00 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 20m Buy It Now for only: $8,701.00 Buy It Now |
 B254 PEPPIATT 1941 2 6 FRACTIONAL NOTE HALF CROWN VERY RARE $8,305.50 Time Remaining: 22d 15h 12m Buy It Now for only: $8,305.50 Buy It Now |
 Ireland 1961 Half Crown Mule Variety Ext Rare Gem BU Full Luster Sharp Strike $6,375.00 Time Remaining: 22d 4h 1m Buy It Now for only: $6,375.00 Buy It Now |
 ELIZABETH I 1ST GOLD HALF CROWN RARE HAMMERED COIN METAL DETECTING LOOK $3,955.00 Time Remaining: 27d 9h 3m Buy It Now for only: $3,955.00 Buy It Now |
 RARE 1904 HALFCROWN BRITISH SILVER COIN FROM EDWARD VII UNC $3,480.40 Time Remaining: 4d 18h 7m Buy It Now for only: $3,480.40 Buy It Now |
 1831 PROOF WILLIAM 1V HALF CROWN $3,322.20 Time Remaining: 9d 15h 24m Buy It Now for only: $3,322.20 Buy It Now |
 VERY RARE R2 1903 HALFCROWN BRITISH SILVER COIN FROM EDWARD VII aEF $3,164.00 Time Remaining: 23d 18h 9m Buy It Now for only: $3,164.00 Buy It Now |
 GEORGE IV SILVER PROOF HALFCROWN 1820 $3,084.90 Time Remaining: 14d 11h 37m Buy It Now for only: $3,084.90 Buy It Now |
 1689 2ND REV HALFCROWN BRITISH SILVER COIN FROM WILLIAM MARY EF $2,768.50 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 7m Buy It Now for only: $2,768.50 Buy It Now |
 Jewelco 18ct Gold Half ct Diamond crown Solitaire Ring $2,648.87 Time Remaining: 17d 18h 21m Buy It Now for only: $2,648.87 Buy It Now |
 WILLIAM MARY 1689 EARLY MILLED SILVER HALFCROWN COIN first bust shield 023361 $2,610.30 Time Remaining: 13d 18h 32m Buy It Now for only: $2,610.30 Buy It Now |
 1708 Historic Queen Anne Silver Half Crown Coin CGS EF 70 Valued 1400 $1,890.49 Time Remaining: 14d 22h 36m Buy It Now for only: $1,890.49 Buy It Now |
 RARE PROOF 1826 HALFCROWN BRITISH SILVER COIN GEORGE IV IN aFDC $1,898.40 Time Remaining: 5d 18h 39m Buy It Now for only: $1,898.40 Buy It Now |
 1708 Anne 2 6 Half Crown Septimo Plumes in Angle S 3606 $1,800.00 Time Remaining: 18d 21h 2m Buy It Now for only: $1,800.00 Buy It Now |
 WILLIAM III SILVER HALFCROWN 1698 DECIMO $1,676.92 Time Remaining: 10d 21h 27m Buy It Now for only: $1,676.92 Buy It Now |
 Great Britain1663 Charles II Silver Halfcrown NGC XF 40 $1,649.99 Time Remaining: 21d 3h 54m Buy It Now for only: $1,649.99 Buy It Now |
 1708 Anne 2 6 Half Crown Septimo S 3604 ESC 577 $1,575.00 Time Remaining: 18d 20h 59m Buy It Now for only: $1,575.00 Buy It Now |
 RARE 1834 WW BLOCK HALFCROWN BRITISH SILVER COIN WILLIAM IIII IN AU $1,582.00 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 47m Buy It Now for only: $1,582.00 Buy It Now |
