The 1971 Halfpenny - Elizabeth IIThe United Kingdom moved to decimal currency in February 1971 and the old halfpenny (1/480th of £1) moved to the new currency as the halfpence (1/200th of a £1). The idea was that by keeping the halfpenny then price rises could be less (as the minimum rise did not need to be rounded up a penny - which remember was 2.4 old pence) and also that the popular old sixpence, now equivalent to 2½ new pence) could be maintained.
But decimalisation the beginning of the end for the halfpenny. Inflation had already made it near worthless. The coin was very small and unpopular with the public leading to the coin being demonetised in 1984.
The Reverse was designed by Christopher Ironside, showing St Edwards Crown in the centre, above the value '½'. Initially the text 'New Penny' was added to differentiate the coin from the old halfpenny (although the new coin was considerably smaller, 25mm->17mm, and about one-third of the weight), and the text was changed to 'Half Penny' in 1982.
The Obverse is by Arnold Machin, showing Queen Elizabeth II and the legend "ELIZABETH II D.G.REG.F.D.1971".Alloy: Bronze
Weight: 1.78 g
Diameter: 17.10mm
Image credit: The Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,394,188,251 (may include coins in sets)
Minted at The Royal Mint
Minted in 1971. See Coins and Events of 1971
Monarch/Ruler: Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Category: Halfpenny. See more Halfpenny coins
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
List items on:
 | 1971 HALF NEW PENNY COIN UNCIRCULATED CONDITION FIRST ISSUE OF DECIMAL HALFPENNY £ 1.00 |
 | 1971 to 1983 Elizabeth II DECIMAL HALF PENNY CHOOSE YOUR DATE £ 1.29 |
 | 1971-1984 UK 1/2p Half Penny Coins PROOF & BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED -Select Years £ 9.99 |
 | 1971 5x rolls of BU Halfpenny coins in *original packaging* - from England £ 22.50 |
 | UNCIRCULATED 1971 BRONZE COINS - Buy HALFPENNY, PENNY, TWO PENCE or THE SET ! £ 0.99 |
 | 1971 - 1983 ELIZABETH II DECIMAL HALF PENNY - CHOOSE YOUR DATE £ 1.99 |
 | QUEEN ELIZABETH II 50x BRIGHT SHINY UNC 1967 HALF PENNIES SHOVE HALF PENNY £ 12.99 |
 | 1971 New Penny 1/2 Coin Elizabeth 2nd In Excellent Condition £ 31.90 |
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