Wartime history: My 1940 silver half crown...

Struck during the height of the Second World War, this coin circulated in a Britain facing rationing, air raids, and uncertainty about the future. While soldiers fought abroad, coins like this passed from hand to hand in shops, markets, and pubs across the country, a silent witness to daily life under extraordinary circumstances.

Composed of 50% silver, the 1940 half crown was among the last of its kind before the UK removed silver from circulation coins in 1947. At 32mm in diameter and weighing 14.14g, it has a satisfying heft, even after more than 80 years of wear.

The obverse features the portrait of King George VI, who had been on the throne for only a few years, while the reverse bears the crowned shield design that defined the era’s coinage. Mine is in fine condition, showing honest wear that hints at its journey through countless hands.

According to Numista.com, its current value sits between £7 and £11 — hardly a fortune, but its worth to me isn’t measured in pounds. This coin is both a tangible piece of British history and a reminder that precious metals have always played a role in our everyday lives.