The British 1920 Halfcrown, designed by Edgar Bertram Mackennal, features King George V and marked a major shift in British coinage. This was the first year British coins, including the 1920 Halfcrown, reduced their silver content from .925 to .500, reflecting post-World War I economic struggles. The war had drained Britain’s finances, leading to inflation and metal shortages, forcing the government to debase its silver coinage.
Politically, the British 1920 Halfcrown emerged amid Britain’s recovery from World War I, as it faced war debts and labor unrest. Economically, the shift to 50% silver made the 1920 Halfcrown a symbol of financial adjustment. Despite its lower silver content, Mackennal’s regal George V portrait maintained its dignified design, reinforcing Britain’s enduring monarchy during economic hardship.