- Produced by The Royal Mint.
- Struck in bronze.
- 1953 was the first year in which this version of the Half Penny coin was released, marking the start of the reign for Queen Elizabeth II, after officially ascending to the throne on 6th February 1952.
- The reverse of the coin features an illustration of the Golden Hind galleon or large sailing ship, a design by Thomas Humphrey Paget OBE.
- The Golden Hind galleon was used by Sir Francis Drake to become the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe between 1577 and 1580.
- The inscription for the denomination of 'HALF PENNY', is featured around the reverse of the coin, above the depiction of the Golden Hind galleon.
- The year '1953', is shown around the reverse of the coin, below the 'Golden Hind', design.
- The initials 'HP', of the artist Thomas Humphrey Paget OBE who created the 'Golden Hind', design, are displayed to the right of the stern of the sailing ship.
- 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 GRA : BRITT : OMN : REGINA F : D :', an abbreviation of 'ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA BRITANNIARUM OMNIUM REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX', translates as 'Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith', 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.
- Released into general circulation in the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
