The "last or new" coinage, which was introduced in 1816, marked a significant change in British coinage. The weights for the gold and silver coinage were reduced to more reasonable amounts so that the coins stayed in circulation. The portrait of George III was same except for the half crown. There were two portraits. The first was known as the large or "bull head," which was issued in 1816-7. This design was not well received. It was replaced by the "small head" which was the same as the image of the king on the other reform coinage. I had not intended to purchase both types, but this second coin cropped up at the recent FUN show. A half crown is worth 2 shilling, 6 pence.
