Coin

½ Crown - Victoria 2nd portrait (1888) — United Kingdom

United Kingdom • 1888 • KM# 764, Sp# 3924

½ Crown - Victoria 2nd portrait (1888) — United Kingdom

Overview

A silver ½ Crown coin from the United Kingdom, featuring the 2nd portrait ('Jubilee Head') of Queen Victoria, minted in 1888.

Specifications

Country
United Kingdom
Year
1888
Composition
Silver (.925)
Weight
14.14 g
Diameter
32 mm
Mint
Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London, United Kingdom (1810-1975)
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM# 764, Sp# 3924
Issuer
United Kingdom

Design details

Obverse

Crowned and veiled bust ('Jubilee Head') of Queen Victoria left, legend around. Lettering: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA. Translation: Victoria by the Grace of God.

Reverse

Crowned quartered shield of arms within garter and collar, legend around, image of St George on horseback and the dragon dividing date below. Lettering: BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF:, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE. Unabridged legend: Britanniarum Regina Fidei Defensatrix, Honi soit qui mal y pense. Translation: Queen of the Britains Defender of the Faith Shame on he who thinks evil of it.

Collector insights

  • Design heritage: Joseph Edgar Boehm (obverse), Leonard Charles Wyon (reverse) is credited as the designer for the Standard circulation coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
  • Struck at: Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London, United Kingdom (1810-1975). Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
  • Mintage vs. survival: A moderate mintage of 1,428,700. Grade rarity is usually the driver of value here — mid-grade circulated pieces are common, but original-surface uncirculated coins can command a strong premium.
  • Precious metal content: Silver (.925) — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as KM# 764, Sp# 3924. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

More from United Kingdom

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