Obverse: identify the front

The illustrated obverse shows George V facing left, surrounded by his name and royal titles. The reference distinguishes a modified larger-bead portrait on KM830 from the other George V designs. Compare the real portrait and reverse together; the 1930 reference photograph does not illustrate every earlier portrait or finish.

Reverse: identify the back

The genuine 1930 reverse reads HALF CROWN around a quartered shield flanked by crowned royal monograms. The date is part of the outer legend. Earlier included designs surround the shield with a Garter band and distinguish whether the crown touches the shield or has a separating groove. George VI later uses a similar shield/monogram layout with a different portrait and royal lettering.

History and purpose

The .500 period spans changes in George V portrait and shield details, followed by George VI issues. Several types overlap: two shield treatments in 1922, a modified portrait in 1926–1927 and a new shield/monogram reverse beginning in 1927. These changes are meaningful for attribution even where the designated silver-content standard remains the same.

How to identify this variant

Read HALF CROWN, the full date, royal name and shield details before counting. The reference gives 32.3 mm for all five included types and reeded edges. Its designated melt standard is 14.138 g/.500; the early KM818.1a table rounds mass to 14.1400 g while retaining .2273 ASW. Do not treat that displayed precision difference as a newly assayed alloy. Earlier sterling pieces, patterns and replicas remain separate.

Understanding its metal content

One matching half crown contributes 0.2273 reference fine silver troy ounce. Three contribute 0.6819 ounce and 42.414 nominal gross grams. Nominal fine silver mass follows gross mass ×.500; reference ounces retain the reference’s designated rounding. Count only coins matching the verified design and composition. Worn, plated or altered specimens require separate assessment.

Dates, varieties and composition changes

Actual listed issue years for the included types collectively cover 1920–1946. This includes specialised finishes and overlapping designs; it does not promise a regular circulation strike for every type and year.

KM818.1a — crown touches shield, 1920–1922

Three specific annual dates use the older George V portrait and Garter shield. This .500 type is separate from earlier sterling half crowns.

KM818.2 — groove above shield, 1922–1926

Specific annual rows cover 1922–1926; a 1924 satin specimen is separately labelled. The design overlaps KM818.1a in 1922 and KM830 in 1926.

KM830 — modified portrait, 1926–1927

The table lists both dates with larger portrait-side beads and a Garter shield. It overlaps the later shield/monogram type in 1927.

KM835 — George V shield and monograms, 1927–1936

Specific annual rows cover 1927–1936, with regular/proof availability varying. The genuine 1930 pair illustrates this design; it does not establish a proof or matte finish.

KM856 — George VI, 1937–1946

Specific annual rows cover all ten dates, with proof entries separately listed. Identify the actual portrait, date and finish. Edward VIII patterns are not added to this calculator.

Melt value versus collector value

Preserve portrait, reverse, date and finish information with each specimen. A 1922 or 1926 date can belong to overlapping design types. Reference metal content cannot express collector premiums for a particular finish, condition or attribution. Do not infer a proof strike from shine or from the presence of a proof row in a catalogue.

Authenticity and condition

Provide both complete faces, the full denomination and issue date, plus an edge photograph and actual measured mass/diameter where available. These genuine reference photographs assist attribution but do not establish authenticity, fineness or finish of your coin. Keep uncertain pieces separate; do not rely only on colour or a matching portrait.

Selling this coin

Sort matching .500 half crown pieces away from sterling, other denominations, base-metal issues and unresolved objects. The existing quote link carries the selected coin and quantity for collection details and photographs. Dollar pricing is unavailable until live pricing is configured. Reference metal content is not a purchase offer or a guaranteed recovery amount.

Sources and calculation methodology

The designated reference melt reference and four dated types give 14.138 g/.500/.2273 ASW. KM818.1a displays 14.1400 g while agreeing on fineness and ASW; the designated mass remains controlling without averaging. All five types specify 32.3 mm and reeded edges. Thickness and remaining alloy-metal identities are not independently verified. Actual annual rows and independent photograph permissions were inspected on 2026-10-11. The displayed photograph represents the 1930 KM835 George V half crown only. Source faces are retained without invented artwork or upscaling; permitted scan splitting and WebP conversion are disclosed in the image credits. No reference price estimates or copied descriptive article text are republished.

Common questions

References

• NGC: designated world-silver melt reference — identity; designated weight; .500 fineness; controlling ASW; broad date envelope (checked 2026-10-11)
• Great Britain 1/2 Crown KM# 818.1a dated type — identity; weight; .500 fineness; ASW; diameter by type; dates from specific annual rows; design (checked 2026-10-11)
• Great Britain 1/2 Crown KM# 818.2 dated type — identity; weight; .500 fineness; ASW; diameter by type; dates from specific annual rows; design (checked 2026-10-11)
• Great Britain 1/2 Crown KM# 830 dated type — identity; weight; .500 fineness; ASW; diameter by type; dates from specific annual rows; design (checked 2026-10-11)
• Great Britain 1/2 Crown KM# 835 dated type — identity; weight; .500 fineness; ASW; diameter by type; dates from specific annual rows; design (checked 2026-10-11)
• Great Britain 1/2 Crown KM# 856 dated type — identity; weight; .500 fineness; ASW; diameter by type; dates from specific annual rows; design (checked 2026-10-11)
• Jerry "Woody": genuine 1930 KM835 George V half crown obverse and licence — genuine representative design photograph; independent creator and reuse permission (checked 2026-10-11)
• Jerry "Woody": genuine 1930 KM835 George V half crown reverse and licence — genuine representative design photograph; independent creator and reuse permission (checked 2026-10-11)

Issue-year references

• Great Britain 1/2 Crown KM# 818.1a dated type
• Great Britain 1/2 Crown KM# 818.2 dated type
• Great Britain 1/2 Crown KM# 830 dated type
• Great Britain 1/2 Crown KM# 835 dated type
• Great Britain 1/2 Crown KM# 856 dated type

Content maintained by CashForCoins. Last substantive record update: 2026-10-11. Report a specification or attribution issue through our contact page.

Related coins

British Silver Crown — .500 Dated Types

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

United Kingdom • 50% silver; remaining alloy metals not independently verified

Issue years: 1927–1937

Fine silver: 0.454500 troy oz

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British Silver Threepence — .500 Dated Types

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

United Kingdom • 50% silver; remaining alloy metals not independently verified

Issue years: 1920–1946

Fine silver: 0.022700 troy oz

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