Celebrate the skill and discipline of Olympic martial arts with the 2011 UK Taekwondo 50p coin, issued as part of the London 2012 Olympic Games series. One of 29 designs released to mark the Games, this coin highlights a sport known for its speed, precision and technique.

The reverse design was created by David Gibbons and selected from more than 30,000 public submissions. Choosing taekwondo for its complexity and visual impact, Gibbons depicts two athletes in action, each captured in a different kicking pose. The opposing stances create a strong sense of movement and balance, reflecting the competitive nature of the sport.

Above the design sits the London 2012 Olympic logo, with the denomination ‘50 PENCE’ below. The composition is both dynamic and well-defined, making it a distinctive piece within the Olympic 50p collection.

The obverse features the fourth portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, shown wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, a familiar effigy on UK coinage.

Struck in cupro-nickel to standard 50p specifications, the coin weighs 8 grams and measures 27.30 millimetres in diameter. It features the characteristic seven-sided shape and a plain edge.

With a circulating mintage of 1,664,000, the Taekwondo 50p is a popular addition for collectors seeking to complete the London 2012 series. Issued in 2011, it forms part of a celebrated collection that brought Olympic sport into everyday life, offering a lasting reminder of an extraordinary summer of sport.

*Image is representative of the coin you will receive 

**Struck for general circulation and subsequently acquired by The Royal Mint from the secondary market.