1953 UK Half Crown Proof Coin

Basic Information

  • Produced by The Royal Mint.
  • The reverse of the coin features the crowned Royal Shield of Arms of the United Kingdom, a design created by Edgar Fuller which was modelled and engraved by Cecil Walter Thomas OBE.
  • Designed by Mary Gillick OBE, the obverse of the coin features the first portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, after officially ascending to the throne on 6th February 1952.
  • Rare and limited release as part of a proof coin collection.
  • Produced by The Royal Mint.
  • Struck in cupro-nickel and finished to a proof standard.
  • 1953 was the first year in which this version of the Half Crown coin was released, marking the start of the reign for Queen Elizabeth II, after officially ascending to the throne on 6th February 1952.
  • The coin was created and released as part of a commemorative set, in recognition of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, which took place at Westminster Abbey in London on 2nd June 1953.
  • The reverse of the coin prominently features the crowned Royal Shield of Arms of the United Kingdom, a reimagined design by Edgar Fuller, which was modelled and engraved by Cecil Walter Thomas OBE.
  • The Royal Shield of Arms of the United Kingdom on the reverse of the coin is crowned with the heraldic design of the 'Tudor Crown', and features the Passant Guardant Lions of England, a floral bordered Lion Rampant of Scotland and the Harp of Ireland.
  • The Tudor Crown was a crown created in the early 16th century for either King Henry VII or King Henry VIII, the first Tudor monarchs of England. The crown was destroyed in 1649 during the English Civil War.
  • The cypher or monogram of Queen Elizabeth II, 'ER', is prominently shown on the reverse of the coin, divided at either side of the Royal Shield of Arms of the United Kingdom.
  • The initials 'E·F', of the artist who designed the reverse of the coin, Edgar Fuller, are located below the bottom left corner of the Royal Shield of Arms of the United Kingdom.
  • The initials 'C·T', of the artist who modelled and engraved the reverse of the coin, Cecil Walter Thomas OBE, are located below the bottom left corner of the Royal Shield of Arms of the United Kingdom.
  • The Latin inscription, 'FID · · DEF', an abbreviation of 'FIDEI DEFENSOR', which is displayed around the reverse of the coin, above the Royal Shield of Arms of the United Kingdom, translates as, 'Elizabeth, Queen', in English.
  • The inscription for the denomination and the year 'HALF CROWN 1953', is displayed around the reverse of the coin, underneath the Royal Shield of Arms of the United Kingdom.
  • Designed by Mary Gillick OBE, the obverse of the coin features the first portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, after officially ascending to the throne on 6th February 1952.
  • The Latin inscription around the obverse of the coin, 'ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITT : OMN : REGINA', an abbreviation of 'ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITTANNIARUM OMNIUM REGINA', translates as 'Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of all the Britains', in English.
  • The initials 'M.G.', of the artist Mary Gillick OBE who created the first portrait on the obverse of the coin, are displayed at the base of the shoulder on the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
  • Limited release of approximately 40,000.

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