rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryhalfpennySmall coin
noun

halfpenny

HAF-pen-ee/ˈhæfpeni/

A former British coin worth half a penny.

The museum displays a halfpenny beside other old British coins.

A single worn copper-colored former British halfpenny coin resting beside a plain penny-sized comparison disk, only small essential “½d” denomination on halfpenny face, no portrait or invented inscription; illustrative denomination study rather than replica.
Etymology
halfOld Englishhalf, part
+pennyOld Englishpenny

Half and penny name the coin by its value: half the value of a penny. The name describes its denomination, not a physically divided penny.

In context

Wake Point0:06
Tucked inside the shawl was a small coin with a ribbon threaded through a hole punched in its center. The ribbon was blue. The coin was a halfpenny.
What Happened to Children Nobody Wanted — Hidden Records From 130 Years Ago

More examples

  • She keeps two halfpennies in a small coin album.
  • The faded date on this halfpenny is hard to read.
  • The dealer checks the halfpenny for signs of wear.

Forms

halfpenny · halfpennies · halfpence

Similar words

coin
A broader term that does not specify monetary value.
copper
A small copper coin, not necessarily worth half a penny.