1934 SOUTHERN RHODESIA HALF CROWN – GEORGE V

The 1934 Southern Rhodesia Half Crown is the largest silver denomination of the George V Southern Rhodesia series. Struck at the Royal Mint, London, in .925 silver, it carries the mature crowned bust of George V on the obverse and a crowned shield of arms with pick on the reverse, framed by the territorial name and denomination.

This type forms part of the short‑lived sterling‑silver colonial coinage (1932–1936) and is popular with Commonwealth collectors for its size, classic imperial portrait, and bold heraldic reverse.

Obverse

• Design: Crowned bust of King George V facing left
• Legend: GEORGE V KING EMPEROR
• Designer: Percy Metcalfe

Reverse

• Design: Crowned shield of Southern Rhodesia with pick, denomination below
• Legend: SOUTHERN RHODESIA either side of the date 1934 with denomination HALF CROWN placed below the shield
• Designer: George Kruger Gray

Historical notes

• Part of the 1932–1936 George V Southern Rhodesia silver series.
• Struck in sterling silver (.925) before later colonial issues moved to lower fineness.
• Large silver denomination, attractive to type and series collectors.

Specifications

• Country: Southern Rhodesia
• Denomination: Half Crown (½ Crown)
• Year: 1934
• Monarch: George V
• Metal: .925 Silver
• Weight: 14.14 g
• Diameter: 32.0–32.3 mm
• Edge: Reeded
• Obverse: Crowned bust of King George V left
• Obverse legend: GEORGE V KING EMPEROR
• Reverse: Crowned shield of arms with pick, SOUTHERN RHODESIA around date 1934 , and HALF CROWN below
• Mintage: 419,000
• Mint: Royal Mint, London
• KM: 5

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