What it would buy in today's money
Because prices have risen so much, a halfpenny bought far more in the past than its decimal value suggests:
| Year | A halfpenny in 2025 prices |
|---|---|
| 1850 | £0.39 |
| 1900 | £0.36 |
| 1938 | £0.20 |
| 1950 | £0.10 |
| 1960 | £0.07 |
| 1970 | £0.05 |
About the halfpenny
Pronounced “HAY-pnee”, the halfpenny was half an old penny. From 1937 it showed Sir Francis Drake's ship, the Golden Hind. It was withdrawn in 1969 to make the switch to decimal money simpler.
When it went: Withdrawn in 1969, ahead of decimalisation.
Quick facts
| Value | ½d |
| Decimal equivalent | about 0.21p |
| Nickname | ha'penny |
| Per pound | 480 |
Today's values use the ONS composite price index (Open Government Licence v3.0).
Common questions
How much was a halfpenny worth in decimal money?
A halfpenny was worth ½d, which is about 0.21p in decimal money.
How many halfpennies were in a pound?
There were 480 halfpennies in a pound.
What would a halfpenny from 1950 be worth today?
About £0.10 in 2025 prices, based on ONS price data.
Other old coins
Farthing · Penny · Threepenny bit · Sixpence · Shilling · Florin · Half crown · Crown · Ten-shilling note · Sovereign · Guinea