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United Kingdom ½ New Penny 1971

United Kingdom · 1971 · ½ penny
Circulating coinCommonUNC · Uncirculated
€1.25estimate in UNC
1,394,188,250coins minted
KM914 N856 SpA1
JSReference number JSJS-FUE2R
Circulating coin

The British half new penny of 1971 is a circulating coin struck under the reign of Elizabeth II. It marks the changeover to the decimal system in the United Kingdom.

The coin's story

This coin was struck at the decimalisation of the British currency. It is very common and circulated until its demonetisation in 1984.

    ObverseThe Queen's Portrait

    ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D·1971
    Design
    The effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, by Arnold Machin, wearing Queen Mary's diadem.
    Legend
    ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D·1971 (Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith).

    AMDesigned by Arnold Machin

    ReverseThe Crown

    NEW PENNY 1/2
    Design
    The crown of Henry VI, below the words NEW PENNY.
    Denomination
    NEW PENNY, at the top, and ½, at the bottom.

    CIDesigned by Christopher Ironside

    Specifications

    • Denomination½ penny
    • Year1971
    • Mintage1,394,188,250
    • MintRoyal Mint, Llantrisant
    • MaterialBronze
    • ShapeRound
    • Diameter17.15 mm
    • Thickness1.07 mm
    • Weight1.82 g
    • EdgePlain
    • ScriptsLatin

    Actual size

    ½ penny 17.15 mm 2 € 25.75 mm 1 € 23.25 mm

    Actual size compared with the 2 € and 1 € coins. Thickness: 1.07 mm.

    Composition

    Copper97 % Zinc2.5 % Tin0.5 %

    Reference catalogues

    KM914Krause (Standard Catalog of World Coins) N856Numista SpA1Spink

    Same country, same period at the scale of real diameters

    ½ penny1971 · 17.15 mm 1 Penny1971 · 20.3 mm 2 New Pence1971 · 26.09 mm

    By the same engraver: Arnold Machin 50 coins

    1965Canada 1 dollar - Elizabeth II 1965 1966Canada 25 cents - Elizabeth II 1966 1966Guernsey 10 shillings 1966 - 900 years of the Norman Conquest 1967Canada 1 dollar - Elizabeth II 1967 1967Canada 50 cents - Elizabeth II 1967 1967Canada 25 cents - Elizabeth II 1967 1967Canada 10 cents - Elizabeth II 1967 1968Jersey 10 new pence 1968 - Coat of Arms 1968Jersey 5 new pence 1968 - Coat of Arms 1971United Kingdom 1 New Penny 1971

    United Kingdom in the collection All 29 coins →

    17681986

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