The British 1940 Halfcrown, designed by George Kruger Gray, was minted during World War II under King George VI. Its design features a crowned shield representing national unity amid war. The coin’s silver content (50%) had been reduced from pre-1920 levels due to economic strains, reflecting wartime austerity and shifting metal priorities for military needs.
Politically, the British 1940 Halfcrown circulated during the Battle of Britain, symbolizing resilience under Nazi threat. Economically, resource rationing impacted coinage alloys. The Halfcrown’s reduced silver mirrored these pressures, while Kruger Gray’s dignified design upheld stability. The British 1940 Halfcrown thus blended wartime economy and national identity.