The British coin that ceased to be legal tender in 1960 was the British halfpenny.

Before its official demonetization, the halfpenny had been in circulation in the United Kingdom for over 700 years. The coin was first introduced in the 13th century during the reign of Henry III and remained an integral part of British currency until the mid-20th century.

The halfpenny, commonly referred to as a ha'penny, was a copper coin with a value of half a penny. It featured a portrait of the reigning monarch on the obverse side, while the reverse side displayed a design that changed over the years. The coin's size and composition underwent various modifications throughout its existence.

However, as the years went by, the value of the halfpenny decreased significantly due to inflation. By the 1960s, the coin had lost much of its purchasing power and had become virtually obsolete in everyday transactions. This decline in value, coupled with rising production costs, led to the decision to cease its legal tender status.

On the 1st of January 1961, the halfpenny was officially demonetized, meaning it could no longer be used as a form of payment in the United Kingdom. Although it was no longer considered legal tender, the coin continued to circulate for some time after its demonetization, primarily due to its prevalence in small change. However, businesses and banks were no longer obliged to accept it, and its use gradually diminished.

The discontinuation of the halfpenny was part of a broader trend towards decimalization in the British currency system. In 1971, the UK fully transitioned to a decimal currency, replacing traditional pounds, shillings, and pence with a decimalized system based on 100 pence to the pound. The halfpenny's elimination paved the way for this significant change.

Today, the halfpenny is a relic of British currency history, cherished by collectors and numismatists. It serves as a reminder of a bygone era when this small copper coin played a vital role in everyday transactions throughout the United Kingdom.

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