half crown

noun

1. a former silver or cupronickel coin of Great Britain equal to two shillings and sixpence: use phased out after decimalization in 1971.

half-crown

noun

1. a British silver or cupronickel coin worth two shillings and sixpence (now equivalent to 12 1 2 p), taken out of circulation in 1970 Also calledhalf-a-crown

Word History and Origins

Origin of half crown¹

First recorded in 1535–45

Example Sentences

It was heard all of the coins were silver and included half crowns, shillings and sixpences.

From BBC

Morris sent two canvas bags containing “410 Spanish dollars, two English crowns, 10 shillings sixpence, and a French half crown.”

From Literature

It was on his right side, just below his rib cage, about the size of a half crown.

From Literature

He places a half crown like the one I received as victor on my head, but it’s made of a heavy black metal, not gold.

From Literature

"There were about 500 clippings - like pig tails - ranging from half crowns right down to pennies, all silver."

From BBC