Coin

½ Crown - Elizabeth II 1st portrait; without 'BRITT:OMN' (1967) — United Kingdom

United Kingdom • 1967 • KM# 907, Sp# 4145

½ Crown - Elizabeth II 1st portrait; without 'BRITT:OMN' (1967) — United Kingdom

Overview

Standard circulation coin of a ½ Crown from 1967.

Specifications

Country
United Kingdom
Year
1967
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 33,058,400 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# 907, Sp# 4145. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Curator Insights

Historical context

The 1967 half crown belongs to the final years of the pre-decimal sterling system, issued at a time when the United Kingdom was actively preparing for the transition to decimal currency. While minted in 1967, these coins remained in circulation until they were officially demonetized on January 1, 1970. This specific issue reflects a later phase of the reign where the 'BRITT:OMN' title was removed from the legend to reflect the changing status of the British Commonwealth.

Design heritage

The obverse features Mary Gillick's first portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, a laureate bust that captures the young monarch's profile without a crown. The reverse, designed by Cecil Thomas, displays a crowned shield containing the quartered arms of the United Kingdom, flanked by the royal cypher 'E R'. This classic heraldic arrangement is framed by the Latin titles signifying the monarch as the Defender of the Faith.

Varieties and technical notes

Standard issues from 1967 feature a reeded edge and a technical production standard consistent with the Royal Mint's high-volume output of the era. Collectors should examine specimens for the quality of the strike on the heraldic details of the shield, as minor die erosion is common in late-series copper-nickel strikes. Although no major year-specific varieties are widely documented for this date, the alignment and sharpness of the initials 'E' and 'R' serve as primary points of inspection.

Survival and modern availability

With a mintage exceeding 33 million pieces, the 1967 half crown is common in most circulated grades and is frequently found in unissued condition. As one of the last half crowns produced for circulation before decimalization, many were held as souvenirs by the public, preventing the high attrition rates seen in earlier silver issues. However, significant quantities were eventually returned to the Royal Mint for melting and recovery of the copper-nickel alloy during the currency changeover.

More from United Kingdom

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

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Browse more items in the full catalog or view United Kingdom in the country guide.