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, BU (in blue wallet).

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: Reported mintage of 6,323,210 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# 914, Sp# A1. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Curator Insights

Historical context

The 1971 issue marks the first year of the United Kingdom's transition to a decimalized currency system. It replaced the traditional pre-decimal farthing and halfpenny, which had been withdrawn years prior to the transition. This coin remained the smallest denomination in the new system until its eventual removal from circulation due to inflation.

Design heritage

The obverse features the second official coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin, characterized by the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara. Christopher Ironside provided the reverse design, which depicts the St Edward's Crown. The legend includes the word 'NEW' to distinguish these coins from the pre-decimal pennies circulating at the same time.

Varieties and technical notes

This 1971 issue was produced at the Royal Mint in Llantrisant and was also included in the year's inaugural decimal proof sets. Collectors typically examine the alignment and the strike quality of the fine lines in the crown. The edge is plain and the composition is a standard bronze alloy consistent with the early years of the series.

Survival and modern availability

While the mintage for the 1971 issue was high to support the nationwide decimal transition, many examples were later melted after the denomination was demonetized in 1984. The coin's small size and low face value led to high rates of loss and circulation wear. High-grade uncirculated examples are generally sourced from original mint sets or saved hoard bags.

More from United Kingdom

Other ½ New Penny - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait issues

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