Coin

½ Penny - George VI with 'IND:IMP' (1938) — United Kingdom

United Kingdom • 1938 • KM# 844, Sp# 4115

½ Penny - George VI with 'IND:IMP' (1938) — United Kingdom

Overview

Standard circulation coin from the George VI series. Year: 1938.

Specifications

Country
United Kingdom
Year
1938
Composition
Bronze
Weight
5.67 g
Diameter
26 mm
Thickness
1.3 mm
Mint
Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM# 844, Sp# 4115
Issuer
United Kingdom

Design details

Obverse

Uncrowned portrait of King George VI facing left, legend around. Lettering: GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX F:D:IND:IMP: HP. Unabridged legend: Georgius VI Dei Gratia Britanniarum Omnium Rex Fidei Defensor Indiae Imperator.

Reverse

Three-masted ship sailing left, denomination 'HALF PENNY' above, date below.

Collector insights

  • Design heritage: Thomas Humphrey Paget (obverse), Thomas Humphrey Paget (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. 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 40,320,000 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.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as KM# 844, Sp# 4115. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Curator Insights

Historical context

Issued during the early reign of King George VI, this 1938 half penny reflects the pre-war stability of the British monetary system before the alloy adjustments of the 1940s. The presence of the 'IND:IMP' title marks the period when the British monarch still held the title of Emperor of India, a designation removed in 1949 following Indian independence. This bronze issue was a staple of daily commerce throughout the United Kingdom and the broader Commonwealth during the lead-up to World War II.

Design heritage

Thomas Humphrey Paget designed both sides of this issue, presenting a cohesive aesthetic for the series. The obverse features a left-facing uncrowned portrait of George VI, while the reverse depicts the Golden Hind, the galleon used by Sir Francis Drake to circumnavigate the globe. Paget's work on this series is frequently cited for its clean, modernist approach compared to the more ornate engravings of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Varieties and technical notes

While no significant major die varieties are officially recognized for the 1938 business strike, collectors typically focus on the quality of the plain edge and the sharpness of the ship's rigging on the reverse. Specimens were struck at the Royal Mint in London with a consistent technical standard. Collectors should inspect the 'HP' designer initials on the obverse for clarity, as these can show softening on worn circulation strikes.

Survival and modern availability

Total mintage for 1938 was approximately 40.32 million pieces, making the date relatively common in the context of the series. While many examples were lost to circulation attrition or the transition to decimalization in 1971, high-grade specimens with original mint luster remain accessible. Survival rates in Mint State grades are high compared to wartime issues, as these were not subject to the same intensity of metal shortages or immediate post-war recycling.

More from United Kingdom

Other ½ Penny - George VI with 'IND:IMP' issues

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