The British decimal half penny was first issued on 15 February 1971, the day the British currency was decimalised. In practice it had been available from banks in bags for some weeks previously. The decimal half penny, worth 1.2 pre-decimal pence, enabled the prices of some low-value items to be more accurately translated to the new decimal currency. It also allowed the pre-decimal sixpence to remain in circulation alongside the new decimal coinage. In the same vein, a decimal quarter-penny coin was also proposed, but ended up never being produced. The half penny coin was minted in bronze. It was the smallest decimal coin by both size and value, weighing 1.78 grams and measuring 17.14 millimetres in diameter. It was nicknamed the "tiddler" on account of its size, and soon became Britain's least favourite coin. The Treasury had continued to argue that the half penny was important in the fight against inflation. The 1984 half penny was issued only in mint and proof sets by the Royal Mint, and the coin was demonetised and withdrawn from circulation in December 1984. Wikipedia [ - ]

The British decimal half penny was first issued on 15 February 1971, the day the British... [ + ]