Coin

½ New Penny - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait (1979) — United Kingdom

Name: ½ New Penny - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait (1979) — United Kingdom
Brand: Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom (1968-date)
SKU: KM# 914, Sp# A1
Availability: InStock

United Kingdom • 1979 • KM# 914, Sp# A1

Overview

United Kingdom ½ New Penny coin from 1979, Proof.

Specifications

Country: United Kingdom
Year: 1979
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.
Low mintage: Only 81,000 pieces reported. This puts the issue into key-date territory for its series; expect steep grade-based price scaling and a higher counterfeit risk — provenance and third-party grading matter.
Catalogue reference: Listed as KM# 914, Sp# A1. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Other ½ New Penny - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait issues

Explore more

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