Summary

Silver coin; Denomination: Halfcrown
Royal Mint, London
George II (1727-1760)

The word LIMA below the King's bust records that this coin was struck with coins seized in the North Atlantic by British privateers from two French treasure ships sailing from Peru. As the seized coins bore the Lima mintmark, the Bank of England commemorated the seizure by adding the word 'LIMA' to the newly minted British coins.

A halfcrown had a current value of 2 shillings and 6 pence.

Obverse Description

Old laureate bust of George II facing left wearing armour, with lion's head on shoulder; around, GEORGIUS . II DEI . GRATIA; below, LIMA.

Reverse Description

Four crowned shields arranged to form a cross, England and Scotland impaled, France, Ireland and the Electorate of Brunswick and Luneburg; Star of the Garter at the centre; around, M . B . F . ET . H . REX . F . D . B . ET . L . D . S . R . I . A . T . ET . E . 1745, the date being broken by a crown. (Translation obverse and reverse: George II by the Grace of God King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick and Luneburg, Archi-Thesaurius and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire).

Edge Description

In raised lettering, DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI DECIMO NONO.

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