Coin

½ New Penny - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait (1971) — United Kingdom

United Kingdom • 1971 • KM# 914, Sp# A1

½ New Penny - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait (1971) — United Kingdom

Overview

United Kingdom ½ New Penny coin from 1971, Proof.

Specifications

Country
United Kingdom
Year
1971
Composition
Bronze (97% Cu, 2.5% Zn, 0.5% Sn)
Weight
1.78 g
Diameter
17.14 mm
Thickness
1.07 mm
Mint
Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom (1968-date)
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM# 914, Sp# A1
Issuer
United Kingdom

Design details

Obverse

Second crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, legend around. Script: Latin. Lettering: ELIZABETH-II D-G-REG-F-D-1971. Unabridged legend: Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensatrix. Translation: Elizabeth II by the Grace of God Queen Defender of the Faith.

Reverse

Central crown of St. Edward, denomination in letters above and numerals below. Script: Latin. Lettering: NEW PENNY ½.

Collector insights

  • Decimal transition: Struck around the UK's 15 February 1971 Decimal Day, when the pound was subdivided into 100 new pence and pre-decimal denominations were phased out.
  • Design heritage: Arnold Machin (obverse), Christopher Ironside (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, Llantrisant, United Kingdom (1968-date). Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
  • Mintage vs. survival: A moderate mintage of 350,000. Grade rarity is usually the driver of value here — mid-grade circulated pieces are common, but original-surface uncirculated coins can command a strong premium.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as KM# 914, Sp# A1. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Curator Insights

Historical context

The 1971 half new penny was introduced as part of the United Kingdom's transition to a decimal currency system, marking the end of the traditional pound, shilling, and pence structure. This specific denomination was created to keep price increases minimal during the transition, representing 1.2 old pence. While millions were struck for initial circulation, the denomination was quickly rendered obsolete by inflation and eventually demonetized in 1984.

Design heritage

The obverse features the second official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Arnold Machin, which shows the monarch wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara. The reverse, designed by Christopher Ironside, depicts the St. Edward's Crown, which is a central piece of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. Ironside's reverse was selected from a series of proposals intended to reflect British heritage in a simplified, modern format.

Varieties and technical notes

This issue was produced at the Royal Mint's facility in Llantrisant, Wales, featuring a plain edge and a round shape. Collectors typically look for differences in strike quality, as these coins were produced in massive quantities for the Decimal Day launch. While most examples are standard circulation strikes, proof versions were also included in the official 1971 decimal coin sets.

Survival and modern availability

Although the total mintage for the series was high, this specific year represents the beginning of the decimal era, and many examples were heavily circulated. The coin's small physical size and low face value contributed to high attrition rates before it was officially withdrawn from circulation. Today, high-grade specimens are most commonly sourced from preserved mint sets or uncirculated rolls put aside by the public in 1971.

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