Halfpenny (British pre-decimal coin)

This article is about the British coin minted between 1672 and 1967. For the decimal halfpenny, see Halfpenny (British decimal coin). For the earlier history of the halfpenny, see History of the halfpenny.

One old halfpenny
United Kingdom
Value⁠+1/2⁠d sterling
Mass(1860–1967) 5.67 g
Diameter(1860–1967) 25.48 mm
EdgePlain
Composition(1672–1860) Copper
(1860–1967) Bronze
Years of minting1672–1967
Obverse
DesignProfile of the monarch (Elizabeth II design shown)
DesignerMary Gillick
Design date1953
Reverse
DesignGolden Hind (Britannia on earlier mintages)
DesignerThomas Humphrey Paget
Design date1937

The British pre-decimal halfpenny, (pronounced /ˈheɪpəni/), once abbreviated ob. (from the Latin 'obulus'),[1] is a discontinued denomination of sterling coinage worth ⁠1/480⁠ of one pound, ⁠1/24⁠ of one shilling, or ⁠1/2⁠ of one penny. Originally the halfpenny was minted in copper, but after 1860 it was minted in bronze. In the run-up to decimalisation, it ceased to be legal tender from 31 July 1969 (although halfpennies dated 1970 were minted as part of a final pre-decimal commemorative set).[2] The halfpenny featured two different designs on its reverse during its years in circulation. From 1672 until 1936 the image of Britannia appeared on the reverse, and from 1937 onwards the image of the Golden Hind appeared.[3] Like all British coinage, it bore the portrait of the monarch on the obverse.[4]

"Halfpenny" was colloquially written ha'penny, and "⁠1+1/2⁠d" was spoken as "a penny ha’penny" /ə ˈpɛni ˈheɪpni/ or three ha'pence /θriː ˈheɪpəns/.[5] "Halfpenny" is a rare example of a word in the English language that has a silent 'f'.

Before Decimal Day in 1971, sterling used the Carolingian monetary system, under which the largest unit was a pound divided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. Each penny was further divided into 4 farthings, thus a pound contained 480 halfpennies and a shilling contained 24 halfpennies.

  1. ^ "University of Nottingham Manuscripts and Special Collections 'Research Guidance' Weights and Measures § Money". Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Halfpenny (Pre-decimal), Coin Type from United Kingdom". Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  3. ^ "Halfpenny and Farthing". Royal Mint Museum. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  4. ^ Michael, Thomas and Cuhaj, George S. Collecting World Coins: Circulating Issues 1901 – Present. Krause Publications, 2001.
  5. ^ "Halfpenny". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)