This wartime issue features the steady gaze of King George V on the obverse and Britannia seated with shield and trident on the reverse — both powerful national symbols during a time of global conflict.
Specifications:
Material: Bronze
Weight: 5.67 grams
Diameter: 25.5 mm
Edge: Plain
Obverse: King George V
Reverse: Britannia, seated
Mint: Royal Mint (possible variants from Heaton "H" or King's Norton "KN")
1918 was a year of endings and new beginnings. As the war drew to a close, the British people were both weary and hopeful. Despite rationing and hardship, coins like this half penny remained a trusted unit of value in everyday life.
This piece might’ve paid for a loaf of bread, a newspaper, or a tram ticket — small but essential acts in a society seeking normalcy amid war.
A Coin of Transition: From wartime uncertainty to peacetime rebuilding, this coin captures a pivotal year.
Possible Mint Marks: Check beneath the date — a small "H" or "KN" reveals its production origins outside the main Royal Mint.
eBay Lot Value: A reminder that great stories can emerge from humble purchases. A £9.56 gamble became a window into 20th-century Britain.
A piece of bronze from a century ago — uncovered not in a museum, but through the randomness of online discovery. Proof that numismatics rewards curiosity and chance in equal measure.
Verified Great Britain Half Penny 1918
Owner: Babushka