Halfpenny (Australian)
The Australian pre-decimal halfpenny coin, commonly known as a ha’penny (pronounced /ˈheɪpəni/), was the smallest denomination of the Australian Pound in circulation. It was a unit of currency that equalled half of a penny, 1/24 of a shilling, or 1/480 of a pound. The coin was made to be equivalent to the British halfpenny; its dimensions, composition and values were equivalent, and additionally, the two currencies were fixed at par.
Australia | |
| Value |
|
|---|---|
| Mass | 5.67 g |
| Diameter | 25.5 mm |
| Thickness | 1.5 mm |
| Edge | Plain |
| Composition | Bronze: 97% Cu,2.5% Zn, 0.5% Sn |
| Years of minting | 1911–1964 |
| Obverse | |
| Design | George V GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT: OMN: REX F.D.IND:IMP |
| Designer | Bertram Mackennal |
| Design date | 1911 |
| Design discontinued | 1938 |
| Reverse | |
| Design | ONE HALF PENNY COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA |
| Designer | W.H.J. Blakemore |
| Design date | 1911 |
| Design discontinued | 1939 |
The coin was first introduced in 1911, and minting ceased in 1965 with the introduction of the decimal system. When decimalisation occurred on 14 February 1966, the coin value was made equivalent to 5/12 of a cent (= 0.41666 c).
The obverse of the coin featured the current reigning monarch of Australia (excluding 1936 when Edward VIII was King). Three monarchs were featured; King George V, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II. All halfpennies produced with George VI and Elizabeth II had the Kangaroo Reverse.
Australian Halfpennies were minted at different locational, nationally and internationally over the years from 1911 to 1964. Within Australia, halfpennies were minted in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Internationally, they were minted in India (Calcutta and Bombay), and England (London and Birmingham), each signified by different mint marks.