A look at the 1945 silver Half Crown – A wartime classic in outstanding condition...
As World War II drew to its close in 1945, the United Kingdom remained a nation of resilience, ration books, and silver coins still clinking in pockets. One such piece of history is the 1945 Half Crown, struck in 50% silver—a coin that not only tells a story of a nation in transition but also holds a certain allure for collectors and silver stackers alike.
The coin I hold in my collection is in very fine to extremely fine condition—a rare find for a coin that saw heavy circulation during the war years. Despite its age and the volume in which it was minted, a Half Crown in this grade still stands out for its crisp details and minimal wear. While common examples trade for their silver melt value, coins in high grades like this can fetch £8–£10 ($11–$13 USD) on the secondary market.
The obverse features the left-facing portrait of King George VI, designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget. It’s a bold and regal image that helped reestablish a sense of continuity after the abdication crisis of the late 1930s.
The reverse shows the royal coat of arms shield, framed by an elegant crown and surrounded by the legend “FID DEF IND IMP” and the denomination HALF CROWN 1945. The detail remains sharp, especially around the quartered shields representing England, Scotland, and Ireland.
It’s worth noting that while this 1945 issue is still 50% silver, it was not the last Half Crown to be struck in silver—that honour goes to the 1946 Half Crown, after which UK coinage transitioned fully to cupro-nickel. So while 1945 wasn’t quite the end of silver, it marked the penultimate chapter in the long and storied history of precious metal circulating coinage in Britain.
With the world on the brink of a new era in 1945, coins like these serve as tangible reminders of the struggles and triumphs of a generation. For me, it’s more than just silver content—it’s a piece of living history. Whether you’re stacking for value, collecting for passion, or simply holding onto family treasures, the 1945 Half Crown offers beauty, heritage, and just enough scarcity to make it a standout in any collection.
