Does this British 1745 LIMA Half Crown Look Authentic?

[Halfcrowned]

I'm fairly new to coins, and the only reason I ask is because the size of this in hand is a bit bigger than my other half crowns of the period, which all seem to be around 32-33mm. It seems to sit at around 34-34.5mm. It weighs 15/16grams on my (cheap!) kitchen scales, is non magnetic, and has the correct side inscription - DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI DECIMO NONO.

[Paddy]

Welcome @Halfcrowned

I would love to give a definitive answer, but the books are very sparce on dimensions for the 18th century coins. There is always some variation in size, but 34.5mm does seem big. My 1745 halfcrown is almost exactly 33mm.

By the way, this thread appears in "Decimal Coins", which may make it more unlikely that the specialists in this area will see it. Maybe @Chris Perkins can move it to a more suitable section?

 

[Halfcrowned]

Hi @Paddy, thanks for your response. I think I'll have to do my best to look into it further. I've posted this on a few places and the feedback has been mixed really - some outright say fake due to the toning/colour, some say it looks perfect, some say 34.5mm is right on, some have told me the sizing is suspicious. 

Not sure why this is in Decimal Coins, not where I had intended it to go! Still getting to grips with the forum. @Chris Perkins If you could move it I would be greatly appreciative, if not just let me know and I'll delete and repost in the correct place

[Rob]

Slightly spread flan. Look at the teeth at 12 & 6 compared to 3 & 9. Check the edge at the wider points because the collar may have come apart at this/these point(s). Any filing present in this area to make it look aesthetically more pleasing?

[Rob]

Just now, Rob said:

Slightly spread flan. Look at the teeth at 12 & 6 compared to 3 & 9. Check the edge at the wider points because the collar may have come apart at this/these point(s). Any filing present in this area to make it look aesthetically more pleasing? Usually the collar if fitted shows as a vertical line, but not sure if it applies in this instance because the Castaing edge roller would still have been in use.

 

[Citizen H]

these are ones I have, may be a useful comparison.....  👍

some more info,

Composition Silver (.925)

Weight 15.05 g

Diameter 34 mm

Thickness 1.9 mm

Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓

 

Edited Thursday at 07:22 PM by Citizen H

[Peckris 2]

On 5/6/2026 at 9:24 PM, Halfcrowned said:

I'm fairly new to coins, and the only reason I ask is because the size of this in hand is a bit bigger than my other half crowns of the period, which all seem to be around 32-33mm. It seems to sit at around 34-34.5mm. It weighs 15/16grams on my (cheap!) kitchen scales, is non magnetic, and has the correct side inscription - DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO REGNI DECIMO NONO.

Difficult one. The obverse looks good - VF I'd say - but I do have some problems with the reverse, which looks somewhat too detailed for a coin of this grade. Having said that, this type did have a wider/thicker/more protective rim on the reverse compared to the obverse, so it may be kosher. If it is, then you have a very nice coin.