Coin

½ Crown - George V 1st type (1915) — United Kingdom

United Kingdom • 1915 • KM# 818.1, Sp# 4011

½ Crown - George V 1st type (1915) — United Kingdom

Overview

George V 1st type half crown coin from the United Kingdom, minted in 1915.

Specifications

Country
United Kingdom
Year
1915
Composition
Silver (.925)
Weight
14.14 g
Diameter
32.3 mm
Mint
Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London, United Kingdom (1810-1975)
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM# 818.1, Sp# 4011
Issuer
United Kingdom

Design details

Obverse

Uncrowned portrait of King George V left, legend around. Lettering: GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX. Translation: George the Fifth by the Grace of God King of all the Britains.

Reverse

Crowned quartered shield of arms within Garter band, legend around, divided date below. Lettering: · FID: DEF: IND: IMP: · HALF · CROWN HONI SOIT· QVI MAL· Y PENSE·. Translation: Defender of the Faith Emperor of India Shame on he who thinks evil of it.

Collector insights

  • Design heritage: Edgar Bertram MacKennal (obverse), George William de Saulles (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: Reported mintage of 32,433,000 is high, but circulation attrition, currency-reform meltdowns, and low collector-preservation rates mean uncirculated (MS-63+) examples are meaningfully scarcer than the raw figure suggests. Check third-party population reports (PCGS/NGC) for realistic survival in top grades.
  • 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# 818.1, Sp# 4011. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Curator Insights

Historical context

Issued during the second year of World War I, this half crown represents the standard high-denomination silver currency of the British Empire. The 1915 issue was part of a significant production run at the Tower Hill Mint to meet the increased demand for physical currency during the early stages of the conflict. This period marks the final years of the sterling silver standard before the subsequent debasement to .500 fine silver in 1920.

Design heritage

The obverse features the uncrowned portrait of George V by Edgar Bertram MacKennal, a prominent Australian sculptor whose work defined the monarch's early coinage. The reverse displays George William de Saulles' quartered shield design, which is encircled by the Garter and its traditional motto. The milling is precise, reflecting the refined techniques of the Royal Mint during the early 20th century.

Varieties and technical notes

Collectors should focus on the quality of the reeded edge and the preservation of the delicate Garter band details on the reverse. While no major die varieties are officially recognized for this year, minor variations in strike pressure can affect the clarity of the king's hair and the shield's harp strings. Specimens were typically produced for general circulation with no official proofs issued for this specific year.

Survival and modern availability

Despite a high mintage of over 32 million pieces, many examples were withdrawn for their high silver content following the 1920 Coinage Act. The surviving population consists largely of coins showing significant circulation wear, as the half crown was a heavy-duty commerce unit. High-grade uncirculated examples are increasingly scarce due to the metal's intrinsic value and typical attrition rates of wartime currency.

More from United Kingdom

Other ½ Crown - George V 1st type issues

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