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1817 Halfcrown Small Head George III Silver Coin

1817 Halfcrown Small Head George III Silver Coin Reverse

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1817 Halfcrown Small Head George III Silver Coin Reverse
1817 Halfcrown Small Head George III Silver Coin Obverse

Buy a 1817 Halfcrown (Small Head)

Second type silver Halfcrown of King George III, dated 1817. The obverse of these coins features the second, smaller laureate bust of the king by Benedetto Pistrucci. This is identified by the short truncation of the neck, so different to the wide shoulders of the earlier 'Bull Head', which George III disliked. The reverse displays a shield of the Royal Arms, representing England, Scotland and Ireland, with a smaller Hanoverian shield in the centre. This is enclosed within a crowned garter motif with the motto of the Order of the Garter inscribed. Halfcrowns were reintroduced in 1816 as part of the Great Recoinage, which established a new specification for these coins, which was strictly followed until the 20th century. These second portrait 1817 Halfcrowns are an important addition to any Georgian Halfcrown collection, alongside a first portrait coin from the same year.
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Description Specification Summary About us

Second Type Reverse Design

Thomas Wyon the Younger designed the updated crowned shield of Royal Arms and the garter motif that appears on the reverse of this Halfcrown. The surrounding inscription reads 'BRITANNIARUM REX FID: DEF:'.

Second Small Head Portrait

This 1817 coin displays the second, smaller bust of King George III by Benedetto Pistrucci, which replaced the unpopular 'Bull Head' by the same artist. The date appears below with 'GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA' around.

King George III Halfcrowns

These coins were originally struck in 14.14 grams of .925 sterling silver, though surviving examples may be slightly lighter due to normal wear. 1817 Halfcrowns have a milled edge and a medallic alignment.

Mintage Figures: 1817 Halfcrown

Records indicate that 8,092,656 silver Halfcrowns were issued by the Royal Mint in 1817, but this figure is known to include 1816 Halfcrowns (issued in 1817) and 1817 Halfcrowns with the first type portrait.

Collecting George III Halfcrowns

Our Georgian Halfcrowns are historic currency coins that have seen circulation. That means that they will show signs of use, including wear to the high points, marks and scratches, commensurate with their grade.