Halfpenny’s Hidden History

Most people who remember the old halfpenny will picture the sailing ship on its reverse. Fewer realise it represented Sir Francis Drake’s famous vessel, the Golden Hind.

The design was introduced in 1937, replacing Britannia, which had appeared on the halfpenny for generations. The Golden Hind remained on the coin until the final issue in 1967, and the halfpenny ceased to be legal tender in 1969.

Drake’s ship was originally called the Pelican. During his voyage, he renamed it the Golden Hind in honour of Sir Christopher Hatton, one of his principal supporters, whose family crest featured a golden hind.

Renaming a ship was no small matter. Sailors traditionally considered it unlucky, believing it risked angering the sea gods and bringing misfortune to the vessel.

Although the Golden Hind design arrived in 1937, older Britannia halfpennies continued to circulate alongside it. Bronze halfpennies, first issued in 1860, remained in circulation for 109 years.

The denomination itself had an even longer history. Official copper and bronze halfpennies were issued for nearly 300 years before the coin finally disappeared in 1969.

Do you remember the ship halfpenny?