Coin

½ Penny - George VI with 'IND:IMP' (1947) — United Kingdom

United Kingdom • 1947 • KM# 844, Sp# 4115

½ Penny - George VI with 'IND:IMP' (1947) — United Kingdom

Overview

Standard circulation coin from the George VI series. Year: 1947.

Specifications

Country
United Kingdom
Year
1947
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 21,266,400 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

In 1947, Britain was navigating the post-World War II austerity era and significant imperial restructuring. The inclusion of 'IND:IMP' in the legend represents one of the final instances of the British monarch claiming the title of Emperor of India before Indian independence. This specific denomination served as a fractional component of the pre-decimal pound sterling system, which was standardized until the transition in 1971.

Design heritage

Thomas Humphrey Paget designed both sides of this bronze issue, featuring a left-facing uncrowned portrait of George VI. The reverse depicts Sir Francis Drake’s ship, the Golden Hind, which replaced the previous seated Britannia motif starting in 1937. Paget is widely recognized in numismatics for his clean, balanced approach to royal portraiture used across multiple Commonwealth nations.

Varieties and technical notes

Collectors typically focus on the quality of the plain edge and the sharpness of the ship’s rigging on the reverse, which can show signs of die wear. While no major structural die varieties are documented for this specific date, examples should be checked for consistent rim thickness and the presence of the 'HP' designer initials. As a circulation issue from the London Mint, specimens exhibit a standard medal alignment.

Survival and modern availability

With a mintage exceeding 21 million pieces, the 1947 half penny remains relatively common in lower circulated grades. Significant numbers were removed from circulation and lost their legal tender status following the 1971 decimalization process. High-grade specimens with original red luster are more difficult to locate due to the susceptibility of the bronze composition to environmental toning and handling marks.

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

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