1/2 Penny - Edward IV 1st reign, Heavy coinage

Edward IV's first reign opened with an immediate monetary overhaul. The heavy coinage of 1461–1464 set the penny at 12 grains, a standard that proved unsustainable against the outflow of bullion to the continent, and was abandoned in favour of the light coinage by 1464. The halfpenny at half that weight occupied the lowest practical denomination in silver — fractions below it simply weren't worth striking.

North 1545 covers several mint and mintmark combinations across this short issue, and correct attribution depends on details the grade alone won't resolve.