Halfpenny (British pre-decimal coin)

Common card · No. 345384

The British pre-decimal halfpenny (pronounced HAY-pən-ee), once abbreviated ob. (from the Latin 'obulus'), is a discontinued denomination of sterling coinage worth ⁠1/480⁠ of one pound, ⁠1/24⁠ of one shilling, or ⁠1/2⁠ of one penny. Originally the halfpenny was minted in copper, but after 1860 it was minted in bronze. In the run-up to decimalisation, it ceased to be legal tender from 31 July 1969 (although halfpennies dated 1970 were minted as part of a final pre-decimal commemorative set). The halfpenny featured two different designs on its reverse during its years in circulation. From 1672 until 1936 the image of Britannia appeared on the reverse, and from 1937 onwards the image of the Golden Hind appeared. Like all British coinage, it bore the portrait of the monarch on the obverse. "Halfpenny" was colloquially written ha'penny, and "⁠1+1/2⁠d" was spoken as "a penny ha'penny" ə HAYP-nee or three ha'pence three HAY-pənss. "Halfpenny" is a rare example of a word in the English language...

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