United Kingdom 50p Coin

Background Information

In October 1969 the 50p joined the 5p (shilling) and 10p (florin) coins in circulation, leaving only the three copper coins to be introduced on 15 February 1971 to complete the new series of decimal coins. The design on the reverse of the 50p coin features a symbol of Britannia that has appeared on our coinage since 1672. While this design may have been traditional, the shape of the new 50p coin, an equilateral curve heptagon, was revolutionary. This made it easily distinguishable from round coins both by feel and by sight, while its constant breadth allowed it to roll in vending machines.

With the introduction of smaller 5p and 10p coins in 1990 and 1992 respectively, the 50p became the largest coin in circulation. In October 1994 the Government announced a further review of the United Kingdom coinage. The results revealed a requirement for a smaller 50p coin, which was duly introduced on 1 September 1997.

Since its issue the 50p has been used on several occasions to celebrate important events, each being commemorated by a new reverse design.

The 50p is legal tender for amounts up to £10.

Coin Image	Year of Issue	Design / Designer Information
	1969-1982	Britannia A figure of Britannia, seated beside a lion, with a shield resting against her right side,holding a trident in her right hand and an olive branch in her left hand, with the figure "50" below and the inscription "NEW PENCE" above Designed by Christopher Ironside
	1982-2008	Britannia - revised inscription A figure of Britannia, seated beside a lion, with a shield resting against her rightside,holding a trident in her right hand and an olive branch in her left hand, with the figure "50" below and the inscription "FIFTY PENCE" above Designed by Christopher Ironside
	1973	United Kingdom'saccession to the European Economic Community The inscription "50 PENCE" and the date of the year, surrounded by nine hands, symbolising the nine members of the Community, clasping one another in a mutual gesture of trust, assistance and friendship Designed by David Wynne
	1992-93	United Kingdom's Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the completion of the Single European Market A representation of a table on which are placed twelve stars, linked by a network of lines to each other and also to twelve chairs around the table, on one of which appear the letters "UK", andwith the dates "1992" and "1993" above and the value "50 PENCE" below Designed by Mary Milner Dickens
	1994	50th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings A design representing the Allied invasion force heading for Normandy andfilling the sea and sky, together with the value "50 PENCE" Designed by John Mills
	1998	United Kingdom's Presidency of the European Union, and the 25th Anniversary of the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community A celebratoryarrangement of stars with the letters "EU" between theAnniversary dates "1973" and "1998", and the value 50 PENCE below Designed by John Mills
	1998	50th Anniversary of theNational Health Service A pair of hands set against a pattern of radiating lines with the words "FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY" and the value "50 PENCE",accompanied by the initials "NHS" which appear five times on the outer border Designed by David Cornell
	2000	150th Anniversary of the Public Libraries Act The turning pages of a book, the Anniversary dates "1850" and "2000", and the value "50 PENCE", all above a classical library building on which appear the words "PUBLIC LIBRARIES" and,withinthe pediment, representations of compact discs Designed by Mary Milner Dickens
	2003	100th Anniversary of the formation of the Women's Social and Political Union The figure of a suffragette chained to railings andholding a banner on which appear the lettersWSPU, to the right a ballot paper marked with a cross and the words GIVE WOMEN THE VOTE, to the left the value 50 PENCE, and below and to thefar right the Anniversary dates 1903 and 2003 Designed by Mary Milner Dickens
	2004	50th Anniversary of the first four-minute mile by Roger Bannister The legs of a running athlete with a stylised stopwatch in the background and the value 50 PENCE below Designed by James Butler
	2005	250th Anniversary of Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language Entries from the Dictionary for the words FIFTYand PENCE, with the figure50 above, and the inscription JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY 1755 below Designed by Tom Phillips
	2006	150th Anniversary of the institution of theVictoria Cross Depiction of the obverse and reverse of a Victoria Cross with the date 29 JAN 1856 in the centre of the reverse of the Cross, the letters VC to the right and the value FIFTY PENCE below Designed by Claire Aldridge
	2006	150th Anniversary of the institution of the Victoria Cross Depiction of a soldier carryinga wounded comrade with an outline of the Victoria Cross surrounded by a sunburst effect in the background Designed by Clive Duncan
	2007	Centenary of the Foundation of the Scouting Movement A fleur-de-lis superimposed over a globe and surrounded by the inscription "BE PREPARED", the dates "1907" and "2007", and the denomination "FIFTY PENCE". Designed by Kerry Jones
	2009	250th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Botanic Gardens A design showing the pagoda encircled by a vine and accompanied by the dates “1759” and “2009”, with the word “KEW” at the base of the pagoda Designed by Christopher Le Brun
	2010	Celebrating 100 Years of Girlguiding UK Designed by Jonathan Evans and Donna Hainan