Coin

½ New Penny - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait (1974) — United Kingdom

United Kingdom • 1974 • KM# 914, Sp# A1

½ New Penny - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait (1974) — United Kingdom

Overview

United Kingdom ½ New Penny coin from 1974, Proof.

Specifications

Country
United Kingdom
Year
1974
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

  • 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 100,000. 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 1974 half new penny was struck during the early post-decimalization period in the United Kingdom following the 1971 transition to a base-100 system. The denomination was intended to facilitate exact price conversions from the old pre-decimal shilling and pence system, specifically to provide a direct equivalent to the old 1.2 pence. However, high inflation during the mid-1970s rapidly diminished the purchasing power and utility of the coin in daily commerce.

Design heritage

The obverse features the second decimal portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin, characterized by the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara. Christopher Ironside designed the reverse, which depicts the St. Edward's Crown, the primary coronation crown of the United Kingdom. This specific pairing of royal portraiture and heraldic imagery remained a standard for British bronze coinage for over a decade.

Varieties and technical notes

This issue was produced with a plain edge and struck by the Royal Mint at the Llantrisant facility in Wales. Collectors should examine the strike quality on the fine details of the crown on the reverse, as die wear can frequently lead to softening of the arches. While standard circulation strikes are the most common, examples were also included in the year's annual proof sets which exhibit mirrored fields and frosted devices.

Survival and modern availability

Although the 1974 mintage was substantial, the denomination was officially demonetized in 1984 due to its low value and the cost of production. A significant portion of the total mintage was withdrawn from circulation and melted by the Royal Mint following demonetization. Today, the coin is easily acquired in high grades, though examples showing original mint red luster are increasingly preferred by decimal series specialists.

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Other ½ New Penny - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait issues

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