Coin

½ Crown - Elizabeth II 1st portrait; without 'BRITT:OMN' (1954) — United Kingdom

United Kingdom • 1954 • KM# 907, Sp# 4145

½ Crown - Elizabeth II 1st portrait; without 'BRITT:OMN' (1954) — United Kingdom

Overview

Standard circulation coin of a ½ Crown from 1954.

Specifications

Country
United Kingdom
Year
1954
Composition
Copper-nickel (75% Cu, 25% Ni)
Weight
14.14 g
Diameter
32.3 mm
Thickness
2.2 mm
Mint
Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London, United Kingdom (1810-1975)
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM# 907, Sp# 4145
Issuer
United Kingdom

Design details

Obverse

Young laureate bust of Queen Elizabeth II right, legend around. Note: no 'BRITT:OMN'. Script: Latin. Lettering: + ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·REGINA. Translation: Elizabeth II by the Grace of God Queen.

Reverse

Crowned quartered shield of arms flanked by E and R, legend above, denomination and date below. Script: Latin. Lettering: + FID· DEF +, E R, HALF CROWN. Unabridged legend: Fidei Defensatrix Elizabeth Regina. Translation: Defender of the Faith Queen Elizabeth.

Collector insights

  • Design heritage: Mary Gillick (obverse), Cecil Thomas (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 11,614,900 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# 907, Sp# 4145. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

More from United Kingdom

Other ½ Crown - Elizabeth II 1st portrait; without 'BRITT:OMN' issues

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