Elizabeth II Halfpennies

The halfpenny of Elizabeth II was struck from 1953 until 1967, with a proof-only issue in 1970. Collectors often seek out the 1953 for its varieties, while later issues are more common in high grade. A more interesting series than it is often given credit for. Microvarieties exist for 1953 and 1954, and the four varieties of 1956 halfpenny range from Very Common to downright Rare. 1957 Calm Sea coins are easy enough in low grade but high grade examples are quite sought after.

Elizabeth II Halfpenny Issues

1953 Halfpenny 1+A

1953 Halfpenny 2+A

1954 Halfpenny 3+A

1954 Halfpenny 3+B

1955

1956 Halfpenny 3+C

1956 Halfpenny 3+D

1956 Halfpenny 4+C

1956 Halfpenny 4+D

1957 Calm Sea

1957 Rough Sea

1958

1959

1960

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967 Halfpenny 3+J

1967 Halfpenny 4+J

1953

Obverse 1 was originally the scarcer of the two 1953 coins, as it was only found in the plastic sets, and 1.3 million of those were issued, compared to the 8.9 million Obverse 2s. As circulation took its toll, and as more plastic sets were split, Obverse 1 gradually became commoner in high grade. It is now quite unusual to find an Uncirculated Obverse 2. Not Rare, by any means, but unusual.

1953 Halfpenny Varieties

	Obverse 1 Low relief portrait '+' between beads
	Obverse 2 Recut portrait '+' at a bead

1954

Freeman suggests Reverse B is slightly scarcer. My own findings indicate that it might be a bit more than slightly.

1954 Halfpenny Varieties

	Reverse A L of HALF at a bead Smaller teeth
	Reverse B L of HALF between beads Longer border teeth

1955

1956

Crossover mule consisting of two obverses and two reverses. By far the commonest is 3+C – any other combination is worth snapping up in anything vaguely approaching VF.

I cannot show a picture of a 4+C (F.474), because I have never had one. That's got to tell you something. Freeman rates them as R12 (1000-2000 extant), and Sealy's addition to Peck rates them as VR. The pictures do show Obverse 4 and Reverse C though, so you can see what you are looking for. If you find one, let me know. I might buy it from you.

	3+C D of DEI between beads I of DEI nearly at a bead L of HALF between beads F.471 (C10) Excessively Common
	3+D D of DEI between beads I of DEI nearly at a bead L of HALF at a bead F.473 (R5) Rare
	4+D D of DEI at a bead I of DEI between beads L of HALF at a bead F.475 (R3) Very Scarce

1957

Note that halfpennies prior to 1957 are Calm Sea, and those after display the Rough Sea. The vast majority of 1957s are the later variant. There are a range of sub-varieties of the Calm Sea coin, which are beyond the scope of this reference. Groom details them nicely.

	Calm Sea Early 1957 obverse/reverse design
	Rough Sea Later 1957 obverse/reverse design

1958

There are a host of tiny variations of 1958 halfpenny, also beyond my abilities to distinguish, and thus out of scope. Freeman details them, Peck touches upon them, but David Groom does them properly.