The Legendary 1952 Halfcrown

In Coins and Medals, August 1967, page 449, there appeared this short note:

"A hitherto unknown halfcrown of George VI dated 1952 has been found in a coin enthusiast's change. Guaranteed genuine by the Royal Mint, it will be auctioned at the National Coin Exhibition, on behalf of the finder, by the London Stamp Exchange. It is expected to bring a small fortune to the owner. The Exhibition takes place at Chenil Galleries, Chelsea, September 7 - 9th, 1967."

Earlier that year, the London Stamp Exchange Ltd (5 Buckingham St, Strand, London WC2) had sent the coin to the Royal Mint for examination. In a reply letter dated 17th February 1967, Mr. Graham Dyer wrote the following:

"I am now able to return the 1952 halfcrown which you left with me on 27th January. "Our examination has confirmed that it is genuine but I am afraid that careful enquiries have failed to make clear the circumstances in which it was struck and in which it left the Mint. Probably it is a trial piece struck from dies prepared for 1952 which was inadvertently issued. "I am afraid that we are so busy at the Mint these days that it is extremely unlikely that we could spare a senior official to open the Exhibition although we are honoured to have been asked."

In the course of time, this fabled coin passed into the collection of the present writer, who has owned it ever since. In the middle of 2002, this writer attended a lecture being given by Graham Dyer, now O.B.E., at a Numismatic Society just outside London, on the subject of The Royal Mint Collection, the subject of the 1952 halfcrown was raised and Graham Dyer expressed his interest in re-examining the coin. Many months passed before the Royal Mint's further tests on the coin were completed but very shortly before he retired from his very long and distinguished career as Librarian and Museum Curator at the Royal Mint in March 2003, Graham Dyer O.B.E. returned the coin with the results of his tests on it. The contents of his letter are as follows:

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity after thirty-five years to re-examine the 1952 halfcrown and for waiting so patiently for its return.

"The first thing to say is that comparison with an old photograph confirms that it is the same coin as I examined back in 1967. To this I can add:

(i) x-ray fluorescence spectrometry shows it to be made of 75/25 cupro-nickel, with the copper-rich surface expected of coins of that period;

(ii) its weight at 14.118 grammes is commendably close to the standard weight of 14.138 grammes;

(iii) its milling count is typical of halfcrowns of 1949, 1950 and 1951 as recorded by J. C. Rudge in the March 1978 issue of Coin Monthly;

(iv) a reverse matrix and working punch were prepared for 1952-dated halfcrowns;

(v) the figures 52 of the date on the coin match in position the figures on the surviving matrix of 13.9.1951 now in the Royal Mint collection;

(vi) the figure 2 has a broad back to the loop as described in a note that accompanies a black and white impression from the master tools in a contemporary Engraving Department ledger;

(vii) there is no apparent disturbance to the surface in the area of the date.

"It is clear, therefore, that the weight of evidence confirms the finding in 1967 that the coin is genuine.

"On a personal note, I confess that over the years I have occasionally wondered in the long hours of the night if the original finding was right, especially when altered date half-crowns purporting to be 1952 were submitted for examination. It is now comforting to be able to head off into retirement knowing that I was not guilty of an error of judgement and I thank you again for the opportunity to set my mind at rest."

Both the original letters quoted above are being kept with the coin.

The coin is now exhibited on this page for all interested collectors to view (and download a copy, if you wish). Although a V.I.P. Proof halfcrown of 1952 has now surfaced, not claimed to be unique, to this writer's knowledge there is no other surviving example of the currency 1952 halfcrown.

Colin Cooke Coins, 25th July 2006