The 1923 King George V silver galf crown...

Among the pre-decimal silver coins in my collection, the 1923 King George V silver half crown stands tall — both in size and in historical significance. Weighing in at 14.14 grams and struck in .500 fine silver, this handsome coin represents a time when Britain’s currency still had real silver at its core.

What I love most about this piece is its sheer presence. At over 32mm in diameter, the 1923 half crown isn’t a coin you’d easily overlook. The obverse features Bertram Mackennal’s striking portrait of King George V, the monarch who guided Britain through the First World War and its aftermath. His image here is dignified and understated, capturing the spirit of a nation recovering from the challenges of war.

Flip it over, and the reverse displays the crowned royal shield flanked by the lion and unicorn — symbols of strength and unity. Beneath the crown and quartered shield, the intricate detail of the design still impresses, even after more than a century of handling and history.

What makes this 1923 half crown particularly interesting is its place in time. Silver coinage in Britain had been debased from sterling (.925) to .500 fineness in 1920 — a reflection of the economic strain after WWI. By 1923, these half crowns were circulating during a period of social change, labour strikes, and economic uncertainty — a tangible link to Britain’s post-war struggles.

Today, my 1923 half crown isn’t just another silver coin — it’s a piece of living history. A reminder of when real silver changed hands daily, and when coins like this bore silent witness to the shaping of modern Britain.

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