Description
In 1966, a decision was made by the UK to adopt a decimal currency from 1971. No half sovereigns were struck until 1982. This decimal half sovereign has a portrait designed by Arnold Machin. The reverse design remained as Benedetto PistrucciÕs St George and Dragon.
Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne on the death of her father, King George VI, in February 1952. She was just 25 years old when she became queen and was to become the longest reigning monarch with a reign of over 75 years. Over those years she was to celebrate her Silver, Gold, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees Ð a feat never accomplished by any previous monarch. She married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in 1947 and they had four children.
The reign of Elizabeth II covered a period of enormous political, social and economic change. She died on 8th September 2022 and was succeeded by her eldest son, who became Charles III.