half crown

American  

noun

1. a former silver or cupronickel coin of Great Britain equal to two shillings and sixpence: use phased out after decimalization in 1971.

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half-crown British  

noun

1. Also called: half-a-crown.  a British silver or cupronickel coin worth two shillings and sixpence (now equivalent to 12 1/ 2 p), taken out of circulation in 1970

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Etymology

Origin of half crown

First recorded in 1535–45

Example Sentences

It was heard all of the coins were silver and included half crowns, shillings and sixpences.

From BBC

He places a half crown like the one I received as victor on my head, but it’s made of a heavy black metal, not gold.

From Literature

"There were about 500 clippings - like pig tails - ranging from half crowns right down to pennies, all silver."

From BBC

Kipps leant back luxurious, and then tipped with a half crown to pay.

From Project Gutenberg

That it was, well worth the half crown which Mr Dawson put into the hand of the astonished laddie.

From Project Gutenberg