* These images show the type of coin you will receive, not the exact item
Queen Victoria 1874 Young Head silver Halfcrowns: the first Halfcrowns struck for circulation by the Royal Mint since 1850.
1874 Halfcrowns feature a version of the classic Young Head portrait of Queen Victoria, originally designed by celebrated engraver William Wyon. This is paired with an elegant reverse design by Jean Baptiste Merlen, featuring a crowned shield of royal arms, encircled by a laurel wreath.
S 3889, Bull 2741, ESC 692
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The reverse is attributed to engraver Jean Baptiste Merlen and shows a shield of royal arms, surmounted by a crown and encircled by a wreath with national flowers below. The legend reads 'BRITANNIARUM REGINA FID: DEF:'.
The obverse displays a version of the Young Head portrait of Queen Victoria by William Wyon, showing Victoria facing, her hair pulled back with two bands. The date (1874) is shown below with 'VICTORIA DEI GRATIA' above.
These Victorian coins were originally struck in 14.14 grams of solid .925 sterling silver, as was typical for British coinage in this period. Each Halfcrown measures 32.3 millimetres in diameter, boasts a milled edge.
Records show that 2,188,599 silver Halfcrowns were minted in the 1874 calendar year. These coins were struck in London, nearly a quarter of a century after the last currency Halfcrowns had been issued, and they remain very collectable.
Our 1874 Halfcrowns are historic currency coins that have been withdrawn from circulation. That means that they will show signs of wear, including scratches, marks and toning, commensurate with their age and grade.
