Coins of England and Great Britain

('Coins of the UK')

by Tony Clayton

The Penny-Halfpenny (or Three Halfpence)

Values of Penny-Halfpenny Coins
Pictures of Penny-halfpenny Coins

Elizabethan Three Halfpence

As for the three-farthings, Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) made an issue of silver three halfpence between 1561 and 1582. They are more common than the three-farthings, and can be distinguished from the half groat by a rose behind the Queen's head. These are the only coins of this denomination that circulated in England, and have an unclipped diameter of 16mm.

Detailed values of these hammered coins are not available. However, specimens retail for from about £25 in Fine and from about £75 in VF.

Colonial Three Halfpence

The three halfpence was issued again between 1834 and 1862 in the reigns of William IV and Victoria for use in the colonies. They never circulated in the UK, but these small silver coins, weighing 0.7g with a diameter of 12mm, are generally considered to be part of the British series as they resemble the Maundy issues.

All have the denomination (1½) in numerals on the reverse, with a crown above and wreath around.

In Ceylon they were equivalent to 4 stivers, while in Jamaica, British Guiana and Trinidad they were equivalent to a quarter of a real.

A rare proof dated 1870 brought the series to a close.

Acknowledgements

See my Main Coins Index page for acknowledgements