In 1965, the United Kingdom Royal Mint produced nine different coins: seven for circulation and two special coins. The coin system in those days was still based on pounds, shillings, and pence. What are these old coins based on an old money system worth today?
In this article, we explore the value of the 1965 Queen Elizabeth II coins from the half penny to the Churchill crown as well as the sovereign gold coin. So continue reading to find out more about the 1965 Queen Elizabeth II coin values.
Coins Minted in the UK in 1965
When you are looking to buy or sell old coins, it is always good to research the coin thoroughly. Websites such as the Coin Value Checker can be useful tools when researching the value of coins.
| Denomination | Mintage | Very Fine | MS60 | MS65 |
| Half Penny | 105,964,800 | $1 | $10 | $50 |
| Penny | 135,534,000 | $1.25 | $5 | $35 |
| Threepence | 23,907,000 | $0.30 | $2 | – |
| Sixpence | 129,644,000 | $0.75 | $7.50 | $25 |
| Shilling | 11,236,000 | $0.40 | $1.25 | – |
| Florin | 48,163,000 | $1.50 | $10 | $50 |
| Halfcrown | 9,778,000 | $0.30 | $6 | – |
| Crown | 9,640,000 | Extra Fine $1 | $4 | $12.50 |
The Obverse of 1965 Queen Elizabeth II Coins
All coins minted in 1965 feature the same portrait of young Queen Elizabeth II. In her “First Portrait” she faces right and wears a laurel wreath in her hair tied with a ribbon. The two ends of the ribbon flow behind her head.
The initials M.G. for the designer Mary Gillick are on the shoulder truncation. You can see the initials when you view the coin at an angle. The lettering on the obverse reads ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F: D. On some coins, the letters F and D are replaced with FID DEF.
Penny Coins
Halfpenny
The halfpenny coins were first introduced in 1672. From 31 July 1969, the halfpenny was no longer legal tender. A halfpenny from 1965 in very fine condition is worth around $1 and an MS60 usually sells for around $10. Halfpennies graded as MS65 sell for about $50 and MS66 for $75.
The 1965 halfpenny weighs 5.67 g and has a diameter of 25.48 mm. Until 1860 the halfpennies were copper but then copper was replaced with bronze. On the reverse, is a full port view of the three-masted Golden Hind in full rigging and with billowing sails. The denomination HALFPENNY is above the ship and the minting date of 1965 is below it.
Penny
The British penny has been in use since 600AD. It is now the smallest denomination in circulation but originally it was split into halfpennies and quarterpennies. In 1965, the penny was struck in bronze, with a diameter of 30.8 mm. The coin weighs 9.4 g. An MS60-graded coin is worth around $5 and MS65 $35. Pennies graded as MS67 are worth around $75.
The seated Britannia on the reverse is facing right and wears a Corinthian helmet. Her right hand is resting on a shield with a Union flag and in her left hand she holds a trident. The denomination ONE PENNY is on the top half of the coin. The date 1965 is below the image.
Threepence
The threepence was in use in Britain from 1573. Originally, they were minted in small quantities and not intended for circulation but were handed by the reigning monarch to selected individuals once a year. Since 1834, the threepence coins were struck for circulation and were used until 1971. In very fine condition, they are worth $0.30, at MS60 $2, and MS63 for $3.
The 1965 threepence coins were made with brass and weighed 6.8 g. The diameter was 21 mm. On the reverse, the 1965 threepence features a Tudor portcullis, a gate made with wooden or iron bars and pointed ends. Above the gate is a coronet. The denomination THREE PENCE is split with THREE to the left and PENCE to the right. The date is below the portcullis.
Sixpence
The sixpence was minted from 1551 until 1971 but remained in use until it was demonetized in 1980. In very fine condition, the 1965 sixpence is worth around $0.75 and at MS60 they are worth $7.50. MS65 specimens sell for around $25 and MS67, the highest known grade for the 1965 sixpence, is worth $100.
The sixpences have a diameter of 19.41 mm and weigh 2.83 g. They were originally made of silver but since 1947 the coins contained no silver and were made of cupronickel. The reverse features a rose, thistle, leek, and shamrock, representing the four nations that form the United The words FID DEF above, and the denomination and the date are below the image.
Shillings
The shilling equaled 1/20 of a pound and when Britain adopted the decimal system, the shilling became the new five pence coin. It was used as legal tender until 1990 when it was replaced with a smaller five pence coin. A 1965 shilling in very fine condition is worth $0.40 and MS60 costs $1.25. At MS63, they are worth $2.50.
The Royal Mint used silver to make the shilling until 1946 when it was changed to cupro-nickel. The diameter of the 1965 shilling was 23.5 mm and it weighed 5.6 g. Since 1937, the Royal Mint issued English and Scottish versions of the shilling.
The reverse of the English shilling features the arms of England with three lions and the Crown of St Edward. The minting date is divided by the shield. The words ONE SHILLING are at the bottom and FID DEF at the top of the coin.
Two Shillings
The two shilling coin was called florin and was worth 1/10 of a pound. It was in use between 1849 and 1967 with collectors’ coins minted until 1970. It became the ten pence coin after decimalization. A florin in very fine condition is $1.50. In mint state, the coin is worth $10 at MS60 and $50 at MS65.
The 1965 florin, more commonly called “two Bob”, weighed 11.31 h and was 28.5 mm in diameter. While earlier versions contained silver since 1947 the metal composition was cupro-nickel with no silver.
On the reverse of the florin is the floral emblem of England, the rose. Linked thistles, leeks, and shamrocks surround the rose. Above the image are the words FID and DEF. The words TWO SHILLINGS and the date 1965 run from left to right along the bottom of the coin.
Halfcrown
The half-crown, worth two shillings and sixpence, was minted from 1549 until 1967 and they were demonetized in 1970. The first halfcrowns were minted in silver or gold and were large with a 32 mm diameter. Since 1947 the half crowns were made of cupronickel with no silver.
The reverse of the coin has an image of a quartered shield, with the arms of England, Ireland, and Scotland. The letter E is to the left of the shield and R is to the right. The words FID and DEF are above the shield and the words HALF CROWN and 1965 are below. A half crown in very fine condition is worth $0.30 and at MS60 $6. MS63 graded 1965 halfcrowns sell for $7.50.
Commemorative Coins
Crown
The English crowns were first minted in 1526 using 22-carat gold. By 1551, mainly silver was used. The crown was a large coin with a 38 mm diameter, which made it unpopular with the public and the crown became more of a commemorative coin. Since 1947 it was made of cupronickel, measured 38.61 mm, and weighed 28.27 g.
The 1965 crown was the first time the portrait of a commoner was used on a British coin with the reverse featuring the likeness of Winston Churchill. He died in January 1965 and the coin was issued in his memory. The portrait was inspired by a bronze statue of Churchill by his favorite sculptor Oscar Nemon.
An extra fine Churchill crown from 1965 is worth $1, MS60 $4, MS65 $12.50, and MS66 $20. While regular strike coins are not that valuable, specimen satin finish coins are rarer and more valuable, with MS60 worth $1,650.
Sovereign
In 1965, the Royal Mint minted 3,800,000 gold sovereigns. These coins are popular with both investors and collectors because of their value in gold. They weigh 7.98 g, are 1.52 mm thick, and have a diameter of 22.05 mm. They are 22-carat gold.
On the reverse is a design by Benedetto Pistrucci called George and the Dragon. The design was inspired by the story of a soldier who would not give up his Christian faith. St George is the patron saint of England and has been celebrated on April 23 since 1222.
The gold sovereigns are the most valuable coins minted in Britain in 1965, apart from the satin finish Churchill crowns. They are valued at about $459 between MS61 and MS66 grades. At MS69 they are worth $500 and at MS70 $550.
Conclusion
If you have 1965 Queen Elizabeth II coins, they are worth up to around $100 for mint state regular coins. The crown coins with the portrait of Churchill on the reverse can be significantly more valuable as long as they are specimen coins with a satin finish. The gold sovereign coins are also more valuable, over $450 for MS61 grade.
