Summary

1/2 Penny, Issued by Jamaica, 1890 H
Minted by Heaton & Sons, Birmingham, England

Obverse Description

Within a beaded circle, a diademed head of the Queen facing left; around, VICTORIA QUEEN; below between two roses, 1890; mint mark, H, below head

Reverse Description

Within a beaded circle a shield bearing the arms and crest of the colony, around below on scroll INDUS UTERQUE SERVIET UNI; around, JAMAICA HALF PENNY

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

From 1834 Imperial silver coins in the denominations of shilling, 6 pence, 3 pence and 3 halfpence were supplied to Jamaica. Copper and bronze coins were unpopular so in 1868 the Governor proposed a coinage in nickel, pence and 1/2 pence were authorised by an Order in Council of 11 November 1869, farthings by a local law in 1880. The coins are actually struck in an alloy of 80% copper and 20% nickel.

This coin is part of a date set collected by Alfred Chitty in Australia, most coins show circulation wear.

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