How to Identify the British Half Crown
A collector's guide to identifying the George V silver half crown: portrait, crowned shield, size, silver fineness, and how to tell it from look-alikes.
Read the full British Half Crown encyclopedia entry →
Start with the two faces. A George V half crown of this era shows the king's bare head facing left (no crown or laurel) with the legend opening "GEORGIVS V DEI GRA BRITT OMN REX." The reverse carries a crowned shield of the quartered royal arms and a clear date such as 1928. If your coin instead shows a laureate or crowned bust, or a completely different reverse, it is a different reign or denomination.
Check size and weight to separate the half crown from its neighbours. The half crown is about 32 mm in diameter and roughly 14 grams in .500 silver. It is distinctly larger and heavier than a florin (two shillings, about 28 mm) and clearly smaller than a full crown (five shillings, about 38 mm). Placing the coin against a ruler quickly rules out confusion.
Confirm the metal and era. Coins dated 1920–1946 are 50% silver, so they tone to a duller grey than the bright sterling issues before 1920; a genuine piece still has real heft and a soft ring, not the lightness or dead sound of a base-metal fake. British half crowns of this type do not carry mint marks, as they were struck at the Royal Mint; be wary of any added letters or tooling.
Watch for look-alikes and problem coins. The florin's shields-and-sceptres reverse can superficially resemble a half crown at a glance, and later George VI or Elizabeth II half crowns share the denomination but differ in portrait and reverse. Cleaned coins (unnaturally bright, with hairline scratches) and cast copies (soft, mushy detail, seams on the edge) are the main authentication cautions; compare weight, diameter and edge reeding against known specifications before buying.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a half crown from a florin?
The half crown is larger (about 32 mm vs about 28 mm) and heavier, and it reads as two shillings and sixpence. The George V florin also uses a different reverse with cruciform shields and sceptres.
Does the George V half crown have a mint mark?
No. These were struck at the Royal Mint and carry no mint mark, so any added letter should be treated with suspicion.
How can I check if my half crown is genuine?
Compare it to the known specifications: roughly 32 mm across, about 14 grams, .500 silver, reeded edge. Soft or mushy detail, wrong weight, edge seams, or a non-metallic sound point to a cast fake.
Why does my 1928 half crown look duller than older silver coins?
Because it is only 50% silver. The lower fineness used from 1920 onward tones to a greyer colour than the brighter pre-1920 sterling silver coins.