1707 Half Crown

Quick Facts About 1707 Half Crown

• Description: Half Crown with Queen Anne on Obverse
• In circulation: 1707 – 1714
• Composition: Silver (.925)
• Catalogue reference: KM 525.1, S3604; KM 525.2, S3605, KM525.3, S3606, KM525.4, S3607

A 1707 half-crown coin in VF condition. 

The history behind the 1707 Half Crown (Queen Anne) Coin

Queen Anne (1665 – 1714) is best known for uniting the kingdoms of England and Scotland as Great Britain under the 1707 Acts of Union. From 1702 to 1714, she would reign as Queen until her death in 1714, the last monarch of the House of Stuart.

With The Acts of Union 1707, the royal coat of arms changed to reflect the Kingdom’s new status. The Royal Arms of England and Scotland are ‘impaled’, or placed side-by-side to denote a union, much like a marriage, and are placed in the first and fourth quarters. The Royal Arms of France is in the second quarter and the Royal Arms of Ireland are place in the third quarter. 

About the 1707 Half Crown (Queen Anne) Coin

The 1707 Half Crown was used from 1707 until 1714 with four varieties minted during that time. 

Obverse

The obverse of the 1707 Half Crown features the draped bust of Queen Anne, looking to the left. The legend consisting of the words ‘Anna Dei Gratia’, meaning ‘Anne by the Grace of God’, is positioned around the bust. An ‘E’ mintmark under the bust indicates that it was minted in Edinburgh, Scotland. (KM525.2, S3605)

The obverse side was engraved by John Croker (1670 – 1741), a master jeweller from Dresden, Germany that moved to London in 1691. Eventually he arrived at the Royal Mint in 1697, with a position of assistant to the chief engraver. In 1705, he would be come chief engraver. Croker would engrave almost all of the dies for Queen Anne.  

Reverse

The reverse features four crowned shields positioned in a cross with a Garter ‘star’ in the centre. The shields contain the Royal Arms of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland. The lettering around the perimeter is ‘MAG BRI FRA ET HIB REG’, meaning ‘Queen of Great Britain France and Ireland.’ The year, 1708, is divided over the top shield’s crown. 

This side was engraved by Johann Ochs (1673 – 1749/50), a gem-engraver and seal cutter.  

Edge

The edge of the coin has lettering describing Queen Anne’s reign in Latin: ‘DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI SEXTO’, meaning ‘An ornament and a safeguard sixth year of reign.’ There is a variant where the edge lettering says ’SEPTIMO’ instead of ‘SEXTO’. (Found in KM525.2, S3605 version)

How Much is the 1707 Half Crown (Queen Anne) Coin Worth?

Depending on the variant and condition of the coin, coins will be valued around £250 – £1500. With the coins you buy from Chancery Coins, you can be sure you’re getting a fair value on our professionally graded coins. The 1707 Half Crown coin has even been sold at £3,500.00. 

If you need help grading, we’ve created a guide to Coin Grading to help the unfamiliar get to grips with some of the terminology around different coin grading’s that are commonly used.

How Many 1707 Half Crown (Queen Anne) Coins Were Made in Circulation?

The mintage figure for the 1707 Half Crown is unknown. 

Other Versions of the 1707 Half Crown (Queen Anne) Coin

There are four versions of the 1707 coin: 

• KM525.1, S3605 – 1707 – 1709, 1713; no E below bust, no alternating plumes on reverse
• KM525.2, S3605 – 1707 – 1709; E below bust, no alternating plumes on reverse
• KM525.3, S3606 – 1708; plumes alternating with crowned shields on reverse
• KM525.4, S3607 – 1710- 1714; plumes and roses alternating with crowned shields on reverse