50p Coin Designs and Specifications
Creation of the 50p Coin
In October 1969, 50p coins 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 into vending machines.
With the introduction of smaller 5p and 10p coins in 1990 and 1992 respectively, 50p coins became the largest 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.
| First Issued | Smaller version introduced September 1997 (Larger version introduced October 1969, demonetised in 1998) |
| Specifications (Since 1997) | |
| Diameter | 27.3mm |
| Weight | 8.0g |
| Thickness | 1.78mm |
| Composition | Cupro-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel) |
| Obverse Designers | 1985-1997 - Raphael Maklouf 1998-2015 - Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS 2015-2022 - Jody Clark 2022 to date - Martin Jennings |
| Reverse Designers |
See table below |
| Edge | Plain |
50p Coin Designs
Since its issue, the 50p coin has commonly been used to commemorate important events. From as early as 1969, The Royal Mint has regularly issued unique reverse designs on the 50p for events such as the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings, the 50th Anniversary of the NHS and the 2012 London Olympic Games. A full list of Royal Mint commemorative 50p coins can be found below.
50p Coins List
| Coin Image | Year of Issue | Design 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 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 FIFTY PENCE above. Designed by: Christopher Ironside |
 |
2008 - Present |
The Royal Arms A section of the Royal Arms, showing elements of the third and fourth quarterings. |
 |
The United Kingdom's Accession 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 |
|
 |
The United Kingdom's Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Completion of the European Single 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, and with the dates 1992 and 1993 above and the value 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Mary Milner Dickens |
|
 |
The 50th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings A design representing the Allied invasion force heading for Normandy and filling the sea and sky, together with the value 50 PENCE. Designed by: John Mills |
|
 |
The United Kingdom's Presidency of the European Union, and the 25th Anniversary of the United Kingdom's Accession to the European Economic Community A celebratory arrangement of stars, with the letters EU between the anniversary dates 1973 and 1998, and the value 50 PENCE below. Designed by: John Mills |
|
 |
1998 | The 50th Anniversary of the Creation of the National 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 | The 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, within the pediment, representations of compact discs. Designed by: Mary Milner Dickens |
 |
2003 | The 100th Anniversary of the Formation of the Women's Social and Political Union The figure of a suffragette, chained to railings and holding a banner on which appear the letters WSPU, 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 the far right the anniversary dates 1903 and 2003. Designed by: Mary Milner Dickens |
 |
2004 | The 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 | The 250th Anniversary of Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language Entries from the Dictionary for the words FIFTY and PENCE, with the figure 50 above, and the inscription JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY 1755 below. Designed by: Tom Phillips |
 |
2006 | The 150th Anniversary of the Institution of the Victoria 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 | The 150th Anniversary of the Institution of the Victoria Cross Depiction of a soldier carrying a wounded comrade, with an outline of the Victoria Cross, surrounded by a sunburst effect in the background. Designed by: Clive Duncan |
 |
2007 | The 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 | The 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 |
 |
2011 | Celebrating 50 Years of the Work of WWF Designed by: Matthew Dent |
 |
2013 | The 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Christopher Ironside Designed by: Christopher Ironside |
 |
2013 | The 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Benjamin Britten Designed by: Tom Phillips CBE RA |
 |
2014 | The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Designed by: Alex Loudon with Dan Flashman |
 |
2015 |
The 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain Designed by: Gary Breeze |
 |
2016 |
Team GB 2016 Designed by: Tim Sharp |
 |
2016 |
Millennial Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings Designed by: John Bergdahl |
 |
2016 |
The 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Beatrix Potter Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2016 |
Beatrix Potter - Peter Rabbit 2016 Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2016 |
Beatrix Potter - Jemima Puddle-Duck Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2016 |
Beatrix Potter - Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2016 |
Beatrix Potter - Squirrel Nutkin Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2017 |
Beatrix Potter - The Tale of Peter Rabbit Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2017 |
Beatrix Potter - Tom Kitten Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2017 |
Beatrix Potter - Mr. Jeremy Fisher Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2017 |
Beatrix Potter - Benjamin Bunny Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2017 |
Innovations in Science - Sir Isaac Newton Celebrating one of the most famous figures ever to hold the role of Master of the Mint and author of the single most influential book on Physics ever written. Designed by: Aaron West |
 |
2018 |
The 100th Anniversary of the Passing of the Representation of the People Act 1918 Designed by: Stephen Taylor |
 |
2018 |
Beatrix Potter - Peter Rabbit 2018 Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2018 |
Beatrix Potter - Flopsy Bunny Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2018 |
Beatrix Potter - Mrs. Tittlemouse Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2018 |
Beatrix Potter - The Tailor Of Gloucester Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2018 |
Paddington at the Station Designed by: David Knapton |
 |
2018 |
Paddington at the Palace Designed by: David Knapton |
 |
2018 |
The Snowman 2018 Designed by: Natasha Ratcliffe |
 |
2019 |
The Gruffalo Designed by: Magic Light Pictures |
 |
2019 |
Innovations in Science - Stephen Hawking Designed by: Edwina Ellis |
 |
2019 |
Beatrix Potter - Peter Rabbit 2019 Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2019 |
Sherlock Holmes Designed by: Stephen Raw |
 |
2019 |
Paddington at the Tower of London Designed by: David Knapton |
 |
2019 |
Paddington at St. Paul's Cathedral Designed by: David Knapton |
 |
2019 |
Fifty Years of the Fifty Pence Designed by: Christopher Ironside |
 |
2019 |
Gruffalo and the Mouse Designed by: Magic Light Pictures |
 |
2019 |
Wallace & Gromit Designed by: Nick Park |
 |
2019 |
The Snowman 2019 Designed by: Snowman Enterprises |
 |
2020 |
Team GB 2020 Designed by: David Knapton |
 |
2020 |
Withdrawal from the European Union Designed by: The Royal Mint Engraving Team |
 |
2020 |
Beatrix Potter - Peter Rabbit 2020 Designed by: Emma Noble |
 |
2020 |
The Dinosauria Collection - Megalosaurus Designed by: Robert Nicholls |
 |
2020 |
The Dinosauria Collection - Iguanodon Designed by: Robert Nicholls |
 |
2020 |
The Dinosauria Collection - Hylaeosaurus Designed by: Robert Nicholls |
 |
2020 |
Innovations in Science - Rosalind Franklin Designed by: David Knapton |
 |
2020 |
Winnie the Pooh Designed by: Disney |
 |
2020 |
Christopher Robin Designed by: Disney |
 |
2020 |
Piglet Designed by: Disney |
 |
2020 |
Diversity Built Britain Designed by: Dominique Evans |
 |
2020 |
The Snowman 2020 Designed by: Robin Shaw |
 |
2021 |
Innovations in Science - John Logie Baird Designed by: Osborne Ross |
 |
2021 |
The 50th Anniversary of Decimal Day Designed by: Dominique Evans |
 |
2021 |
The Mary Anning Collection - Temnodontosaurus Designed by: Robert Nicholls |
 |
2021 |
The Mary Anning Collection - Plesiosaurus Designed by: Robert Nicholls |
 |
2021 |
The Mary Anning Collection - Dimorphodon Designed by: Robert Nicholls |
 |
2021 |
Team GB 2021 Designed by: Dave Knapton |
 |
2021 |
Winnie the Pooh & friends Designed by: The Walt Disney Company |
 |
2021 |
Innovations in Science - Charles Babbage Designed by: Nigel Tudman and Jas Bhamra |
 |
2021 |
Owl Designed by: The Walt Disney Company |
 |
2021 |
100 Years Since the Discovery of Insulin Designed by: Iris De La Torre |
 |
2021 |
The Snowman 2021 Designed by: Robin Shaw |
 |
2021 |
Tigger Designed by: The Walt Disney Company |
 |
2022 |
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Designed by: Natasha Preece |
 |
2022 |
The Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Designed by: Osborne Ross |
 |
2022 |
Eeyore Designed by: The Walt Disney Company |
 |
2022 |
Celebrating 50 Years of Pride Designed by: Dominique Holmes |
 |
2022 |
Innovations in Science - Alan Turing Designed by: Matt Dent and Christian Davies |
 |
2022 |
Kanga and Roo Designed by: The Walt Disney Company |
 |
2022 |
Winnie the Pooh and Friends Designed by: The Walt Disney Company |
 |
2022 |
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Designed by: Edgar Fuller & Cecil Thomas |
 |
2022 |
The 100th Anniversary of Our BBC Designed by: The Walt Disney Company |
 |
2022 |
Harry Potter Designed by: Jim Kay / Ffion Gwillim |
 |
2022 |
The Snowman and The Snowdog Designed by: The Walt Disney Company |
 |
2022 |
Hogwarts Express Designed by: Jim Kay / Ffion Gwillim |
 |
2023 |
75 Years of the Windrush Generation Designed by: Valda Jackson |
 |
2023 |
75 Years of the National Health Service Designed by: Alice Lediard |
 |
2023 |
Albus Dumbledore Designed by: Jim Kay / Ffion Gwillim |
 |
2023 |
Hogwarts Designed by: Jim Kay / Ffion Gwillim |
 |
2023 |
The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III Designed by: Natasha Jenkins |
 |
2023 |
Star Wars R2-D2 and C-3PO Designed by: Lucasfilm Ltd. |
 |
2023 |
Star Wars Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine Designed by: Lucasfilm Ltd. |
 |
2023 |
The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe Designed by: Ffion Gwillim |
 |
2023 |
Star Wars Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Designed by: Lucasfilm Ltd. |
 |
2023 |
The Snowman 2023 Designed by: Robin Shaw |
 |
2023 |
Atlantic Salmon Designed by: The Royal Mint |
 |
2024 |
Tyrannosaurus Designed by: Robert Nicholls |
 |
2024 |
The 200th Anniversary of the RNLI Designed by: John Bergdahl |
 |
2024 |
Star Wars Han Solo and Chewbacca Designed by: Lucasfilm Ltd. |
 |
2024 |
Stegosaurus Designed by: Robert Nicholls |
 |
2024 |
Diplodocus Designed by: Robert Nicholls |
London 2012 50p Coins
| Coin Image | Year of Issue | Design Information |
|---|---|---|
 |
2011 |
Aquatics A swimmer submerged in water, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Jonathan Olliffe |
 |
2011 |
Archery A bow being drawn, with the London 2012 Paralympic logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Piotr Powaga |
 |
2009 |
Athletics An athlete clearing a high jump bar, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Florence Jackson |
 |
2011 |
Badminton A shuttlecock and a diagram of badminton actions, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Emma Kelly |
 |
2011 |
Basketball Basketball players against the textured background of a large basketball, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Sarah Payne |
 |
2011 |
Boccia A boccia player in a wheelchair throwing a ball, with the London 2012 Paralympic logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Justin Chung |
 |
2011 |
Boxing A pair of boxing gloves against the background of a boxing ring, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Shane Abery |
 |
2011 |
Canoeing A figure in a canoe on a slalom course, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Timothy Lees |
 |
2011 |
Cycling A cyclist in a velodrome, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Theo Crutchley-Mack |
 |
2011 |
Equestrian A horse and rider jumping over a fence, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Thomas Babbage |
 |
2011 |
Fencing Two figures fencing, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Ruth Summerfield |
 |
2011 |
Football A diagrammatic explanation of the offside rule in football, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Neil Wolfson |
 |
2011 |
Goalball A goalball player throwing a ball, with the London 2012 Paralympic logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Jonathan Wren |
 |
2011 |
Gymnastics A gymnast with a ribbon, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Jonathan Olliffe |
 |
2011 |
Handball A handball player throwing a ball against the background of a handball court, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Natasha Ratcliffe |
 |
2011 |
Hockey Two hockey players challenging for the ball, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Robert Evans |
 |
2011 |
Judo A judo throw, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: David Cornell |
 |
2011 |
Modern Pentathlon A montage of the five sports that form the Modern Pentathlon, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Daniel Brittain |
 |
2011 |
Rowing A rowing boat, accompanied by a number of words associated with the Olympic movement, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Davey Podmore |
 |
2011 |
Sailing Three sailing boats, accompanied by a map of the coast of Weymouth, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Bruce Rushin |
 |
2011 |
Shooting A figure shooting, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Pravin Dewdhory |
 |
2011 |
Table Tennis Two table tennis bats against the background of a table and net, with the London 2012 Paralympic logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Alan Linsdell |
 |
2011 |
Taekwondo Two athletes engaged in Taekwondo, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: David Gibbons |
 |
2011 |
Tennis A tennis net and a tennis ball, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Tracy Baines |
 |
2011 |
Triathlon A montage of the three sports that form the Triathlon, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Sarah Harvey |
 |
2011 |
Volleyball Three figures playing beach volleyball, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Daniela Boothman |
 |
2011 |
Weightlifting The outline of a weightlifter starting a lift, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Rob Shakespeare |
 |
2011 |
Wheelchair Rugby A wheelchair rugby player in action, with the London 2012 Paralympic logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Natasha Ratcliffe |
 |
2011 |
Wrestling Two figures wrestling in a stadium, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination 50 PENCE below. Designed by: Roderick Enriquez |
Mintage Figures: UK Circulating Coin
Mintage figures data for all denominations entering general circulation between 1968 and the present day.
Learn more