1921 Half Penny

The 1921 half penny is one of the easiest half pennies of George V which is certainly reflected in its value. This is due to its relatively high initial

Mintage

The number of coins struck of a particular designation

 

mintage of just over 5 and a quarter million coins, but in higher grades this is assisted by the surfacing of at least two

Bank roll

A common means of distributing coins where a bank would roll coins before distributing them to branches or customers

 

bank rolls creating some supply of

Mint state

A state of a coin that shows no signs of circulation

 

mint state examples.

The date is available right up to MS65 and sales at the $500-600 level as of 2010 make this coin an affordable

Type coin

A coin chosen to represent a series in a type set, usually for cost or quality reasons

 

type coin in higher

Mint state

A state of a coin that shows no signs of circulation

 

mint state grades. Like the other Sydney

Mint

a facility that produces coins

 

mint issues in 1919 (Learn more about the 1919 Half Penny), 1920 (Learn more about the 1920 Half Penny) and 1922 (Learn more about the 1922 Half Penny), the 1921 often suffers from a

Central strike weakness

A weak strike around the centre of the design caused by a lack of concavity in the dies relative to strike pressure.

 

central strike weakness precluding higher grades.

Strike weakness on N of ONE

The most common strike weakness affects the N of ONE as in the above illustration.

Strike weakness on E of ONE

Sometimes the strike weakness is off center and affects the E of ONE as in the above illustration. This is usually paired with a peripheral

Die crack

A crack on the die which produces a raised line on the die it produces, or on the coins it strikes

 

die crack as is also shown in the above illustration. This is usually paired with a strike weakness on the opposite position

Obverse

The heads side of the coin

 

obverse as in the below illustration.

Softly struck 1921 half penny

This strike weakness, paired with the

Reverse

The tails side of the coin

 

reverse peripheral die cracking, usually affects the cheek of his majesty King George V, the 2nd set of pearls and his eye brow.

Rim impression above ALF of HALF

Another commonly seen strike

Variety

A coin which features a slightly different design from that which is normally seen

 

variety is an impression of a

Rim

The edge around a coin, often with beading or denticles

 

rim above ALF of HALF on the

Reverse

The tails side of the coin

 

reverse. These tend to command a small premium in lower grades.

The numerous striking

Variety

A coin which features a slightly different design from that which is normally seen

 

varieties of the 1921 half penny show the failing equipment of the aging Sydney

Mint

a facility that produces coins

 

mint which had been operating for 66 years, and was due for closure in just 5 more years.

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