British King George V Silver Half Crown, 1921
Coin/Bullion · The Royal Mint, United Kingdom. The Royal Mint is one of the world's oldest minting institutions, originally located at the Tower of London and later moved to Leman Street/Tower Hill.
Pattern: George V Fourth Coinage (modified portrait series), Half Crown denomination.
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
The Royal Mint, United Kingdom. The Royal Mint is one of the world's oldest minting institutions, originally located at the Tower of London and later moved to Leman Street/Tower Hill.
Material
Quaternary Silver alloy (50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel, 5% zinc). Note: This reflects the debasement year from 92.5% sterling silver to 50% silver that occurred in 1920.
Dimensions
Diameter: 32.3 mm; Standard Weight: 14.14 grams (0.4546 troy oz); Edge: Reeded.
Description
A classic example of British numismatic history, this 1921 Half Crown represents the first full year of the debased .500 silver standard. The reverse showcases the intricate Royal Shield of Arms, topped by the Imperial Crown and surrounded by the titular inscriptions of King George V.
Key Features
Modified reverse design by Bertram Mackennal; the transition to 50% silver resulting in a slightly more yellowish or 'toffee' tone compared to earlier sterling issues.
Material & Composition
Quaternary Silver alloy (50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel, 5% zinc). Note: This reflects the debasement year from 92.5% sterling silver to 50% silver that occurred in 1920.
Finish & Decoration
Circulated strike with relief engraving. Obverse (not shown) features Thomas Humphrey Paget or Bertram Mackennal portrait; Reverse (shown) features a crowned cruciform shield of the Royal Arms within a Garter, decorated with the harp of Ireland and lions of England/Scotland.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not hallmarked in the traditional silver sense; instead features numismatic legends: 'FID DEF IND IMP' (Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India) and 'HALF CROWN 1921'.
Construction Details
Industrial die-struck coin, machine-produced at high pressure using massive steel dies.
Functional Features
Milled/reeded edge to prevent 'clipping' (the illegal shaving of precious metal from the edges), a traditional security feature for high-value silver coins.
Handle & Grip Details
None; round numismatic form intended for handheld currency exchange.
Craftsmanship Details
Precision mechanical engraving of the dies resulting in crisp, repeatable iconography despite industrial-scale manufacturing speeds typical of the 20th-century Royal Mint.
Authentication Indicators
Die-consistent lettering; sharp reeded edge; correct layout of the Garter and Shield; natural circulation wear patterns on the rim and central motifs.
Origin & Manufacturing
London, United Kingdom; struck at the Royal Mint.
Era & Period
Interwar Period / George V Era (1910-1936). Historical context: Post-WWI economic recovery and the transition away from the sterling silver standard.
Age Estimate
Dated 1921; precisely 103 years old as of 2024.
Cultural Significance
The Half Crown was a high-status coin (worth 2 shillings and 6 pence), often associated with 'middle-class' wealth or a week's pocket money for a child of a wealthy family during the 1920s.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good (F/G) condition. Visible wear on the high points of the shield and crown; significant surface tarnish and sulfide deposits (toning) consistent with poor storage or long-term circulation.
Value Estimate
$10 - $25 USD. Values fluctuate based on silver spot prices and numismatic demand for specific year-grades; 1921 is a common date with high mintage (approx. 24 million).
Care & Maintenance
Do not clean or polish. Collectors value 'original' surfaces. Store in a PVC-free coin flip or capsule to prevent further oxidation/tarnish. Handle only by the edges.
Similar Pieces
1919 Half Crown (Sterling Silver), 1920 Half Crown (can be either Sterling or 50% silver), and the 1927 Proof 'Wreath' Crown.
Interesting Facts
The silver content of British coins was reduced from 92.5% to 50% in 1920 because the price of silver rose so sharply after WWI that the bullion value of the coins exceeded their face value.