William & Mary Halfcrowns

The Very Highest Quality Halfcrowns...

Obverse of 1689 Halfcrown - First Busts

Reverse of 1689 Halfcrown with Second Shields

William & Mary Halfcrowns
Many people are fascinated when they see their first coin featuring conjoined portraits. I can still remember the novelty of seeing a William and Mary coin for the first time over 40 years ago, and I still retain a soft spot for this attractive design. I presume that it provides an extra level of challenge for the engraver, also, although there were certainly a number of Roman coins featuring conjoined portraits.

27 Varieties in 5 Years!
Although William & Mary halfcrowns were only issued for five years, from 1689 to 1693 inclusive, there were two different obverse dies with re-engraved portraits, three different major reverse designs, five different regnal dates on the edges, and a large number of varieties and lettering errors.

Obverses
Conjoined busts of King William III, and Queen Mary II facing right. The obverse inscription reads:
GULIELMUS ET MARIA DEI GRATIA

First Busts
Tall portraits with most of Mary's face visible behind William.
Second Busts
Broader portrait of William obscuring most of Mary's face.

Reverses
The reverse legends read:
MAG BR FR ET HIB REX ET REGINA

First, Large Crowned Shield
Four quarters containing 3 lions or leopards, rampant lion, 3 fleurs de lys, and a harp, with a rampant lion in a central surmounted inescutcheon.
Second Large Crowned Shield - Quartered Quarters
Similar to first shield, but with first (upper left) and third (lower right) quarters quartered with 3 fleurs de lys and 3 lion or leopards in each sub-quarter.
Four Smaller Cruciform Crowned Shields
The devices from the first shield type are now shown within cruciform crowned shields, with a central rampant lion, and W and M cyphers (monograms) in the angles between. The date numerals are also arranged in cruciform manner beneath the cyphers.

Edge
The edges are inscribed with the regnal year date in raised letters:
DECUS ET TUTAMEN ANNO REGNI PRIMO, SECUNDO, TERTIO, QUARTO, or QUINTO.

Three Main Types
Ignoring the numerous errors, edge years and varieties, there are three main types:-

Price & Availability

Date Description Cat Grade Availability Price £ Price $
1689 Conjoined portraits, first shields, caul & interior of crown frosted, pearls 3434 almost Very Fine Yes £375 $660
1689 Conjoined portraits, second shields, caul & interior of crown frosted, pearls 3435 really good Very Fine Sold £350 $625
1693/2 Second busts, third reverse, 3 over 2 overdate 3436 good Fine Sold £165 $295

The photographs don't really do justice to this coin, so much depends on the lighting! I'd like to describe it as almost EF, and it has an attractive tone.

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Coins Wanted
We make an active market in almost all world coins, including William and Mary halfcrowns. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.

If you want to find the value of a coin you own, please take a look at our page I've Found An Old Coin, What's It Worth?

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Date	Description	Cat	Grade	Availability	Price £	Price $
1689	Conjoined portraits, first shields, caul & interior of crown frosted, pearls	3434	almost Very Fine	Yes	£375	$660
1689	Conjoined portraits, second shields, caul & interior of crown frosted, pearls	3435	really good Very Fine	Sold	£350	$625
1693/2	Second busts, third reverse, 3 over 2 overdate	3436	good Fine	Sold	£165	$295