The Royal Mint of the United Kingdom has issued a number of commemorative 50 pence coins from 1973 to the present to mark special national events, such as the country's accession into the now-defunct European Economic Community (EEC) and the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics held in London.
A majority of the commemorative 50 pence coins are composed of cupronickel, but the Royal Mint has also struck such coins in gold and silver on a number of occasions. In many cases, silver piedforts are struck by the mint in addition to their regularly-sized silver counterparts. Like the general issue 50 pence coins of the United Kingdom, all the commemorative issues are heptagonal in shape. The cupronickel and normally-sized silver coins struck between 1973 and 1994 weigh approximately 13.5 grams, while the gold examples minted during the same time weigh about 26.32 grams. Beginning in 1998, the diameter of the commemorative 50 pence coins was reduced from 30 millimeters to 27.3 millimeters. As a result, the masses of the cupronickel and standard silver issues were reduced to 8 grams, the silver piedfort to 16 grams, and the gold to 15.5 grams. Like most British coins produced since the 1952, all commemorative 50 pence coins bear a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.
Coins[]
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Image | Year | Subject | Obverse | Reverse | Mass | Diameter | Thickness | Composition | Mintage |
1973 | Britain entering the European Economic Community | Elizabeth II, "D·G·REG·F·D· ELIZABETH II" (Machin) | Clasped hands, value, year (Wynne) | 13.5 g | 30 mm | 2.3 mm | cupronickel | 90,132,000 | |
1973 | silver | ||||||||
1992 | EC single market | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH II DEI·GRA·REG·F·D·" (Maklouf) | Conference table, "1992", "1993", value (Dickens) | 13.5 g | 30 mm | 2.5 mm | cupronickel | 209,000 | |
silver | 35,000 | ||||||||
silver (piedfort) | 10,993 | ||||||||
26.32 g | gold | 2500 | |||||||
1994 | D-Day | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH II DEI·GRA·REG·F·D·" (Maklouf) | Boats and airplanes, value (Mills) | 13.5 g | 30 mm | 2.5 mm | cupronickel | at least 6,706,000 | |
silver | |||||||||
silver (piedfort) | |||||||||
26.32 g | gold | ||||||||
1998 | 25th anniversary of Britain's entrance to the European Economic Community | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Twelve stars, "1973", "1998", value (Mills) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 5,143,000 | |
silver | 8859 | ||||||||
silver (piedfort) | |||||||||
1998 | 50th anniversary of the National Health Service | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Open hands emitting rays of light, "NHS NHS NHS NHS NHS", "FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY", value (Cornell) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | at least 5,001,000 | |
silver | 9032 | ||||||||
silver (piedfort) | |||||||||
15.5 g | gold | 1500 | |||||||
2000 | Public Libraries Act 1850 | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Open book above pillared building, "• 1850 • 2000 •", value | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 11,363,000 | |
silver | 7634 | ||||||||
2003 | Women's Social and Political Union | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Suffragette chained to railings and holding a banner, ballot, "1903", "2003", value (Dickens) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 3,159,543 | |
silver | 5257 | ||||||||
16 g | silver (piedfort) | 6795 | |||||||
15.5 g | gold | 942 | |||||||
2004 | First four-minute mile ran by Roger Bannister | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Runner's legs, stopwatch, value | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 9,067,520 | |
silver | 4924 | ||||||||
24 g | silver (piedfort) | 4054 | |||||||
2005 | 250th anniversary of Johnson's Dictionary | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | ".50. FI'FTY.adj .s.[ƑiƑtiʒ, Saxon. PENCE. n. S. plural of penny. JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY 1755" (Phillips) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 36,625,000 | |
silver | 4029 | ||||||||
16 g | silver (piedfort) | 3808 | |||||||
15.5 g | gold | 1000 | |||||||
2006-2007 | 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Obverse and reverse of the Victoria Cross, "VC", value (Aldridge) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | at least 12,137,000 | |
silver | 7500 | ||||||||
16 g | silver (piedfort) | 3415 | |||||||
2006 | 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Soldier carrying a wounded comrade with outline of the Victoria Cross in the background, value (Duncan) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 10,050,500 | |
silver | |||||||||
16 g | silver (piedfort) | 3415 | |||||||
2007 | 100th anniversary of the Scout Movement | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Scouting logo superimposed on globe, "1907 • BE PREPARED • 2007", value (Jones) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 7,760,750 | |
silver | 10,895 | ||||||||
16 g | silver (piedfort) | 1555 | |||||||
15.5 g | gold | 1250 | |||||||
2009 | 250th anniversary of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Pagoda, vine, "1759", "2009" (Le Brun) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 260,000 | |
silver | 7500 | ||||||||
16 g | silver (piedfort) | ||||||||
15.5 g | gold | 1000 | |||||||
2009-2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Athletics | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Athlete going over a pole, 2012 Olympic logo, value (Jackson) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,910,000 | |
2009 | silver | ||||||||
2010 | 100th anniversary of Girl Guides | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Six clover leaves surrounding a central leaf, "CELEBRATING ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF GIRLGUIDING UK", value (Evans, Hainan) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | at least 510,090 | |
silver | |||||||||
16 g | silver (piedfort) | ||||||||
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Aquatics | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Female swimmer in the water, 2012 Olympics logo, value (Olliffe) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,010,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Paralympics - Archery | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Hand pulling back on a bowstring, logo of 2012 Olympics, value (Powaga) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,010,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Canoeing | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Canoer canoeing in water, 2012 Olympics logo, value (Lees) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,010,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Cycling | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Velodrome cyclist, 2012 Olympics logo, value (Crutchley-Mack) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 800,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Gymnastics | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Gymnast with ribbon, 2012 Olympics logo, value (Olliffe) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,007,313 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Hockey | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Two female hockey players, 2012 Olympic logo, value (Evans) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,001,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Rowing | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Two rowers in a boat, 2012 Olympic logo, "EXCELLENCE", FRIENDSHIP", "FAIR PLAY", "RESPECT", "FRIENDSHIP", "FAIR PLAY", "RESPECT", "EXCELLENCE", value (Podimore) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,300 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Triathlon | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Three figures: one running, one biking, and one swimming; Olympic logo, value (Harvey) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,011,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Badminton | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Shuttlecock, badminton stances, 2012 Olympics logo, value (Kelly) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Boxing | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Boxing gloves, boxing ring, 2012 Olympic logo, value (Abery) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 805,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Equestrian | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Rider on horse jumping over three poles, 2012 Olympics logo, value (Babbage) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Modern pentathlon | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Five figures: one fencing, one running, one swimming, one shooting a pistol, and one on horseback; 2012 Olympics logo, value (Brittain) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 705,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Shooting | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Man shooting a rifle, 2012 Olympics logo, value (Dewdhory) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Paralympics - Table tennis | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Two hands holding table tennis rackets, ball, table, 2012 Paralympics logo, value (Linsdell) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,010,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Volleyball | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Female volleyball players going for volleyball, net, 2012 Olympics logo, value (Boothman) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Paralympics - Goalball | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Goalball player, 2012 Paralympics logo, value (Wren) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Taekwondo | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Taekwondo fighters sparring, 2012 Olympics logo, value (Gibbons) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Weightlifting | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Female weightlifter in action, 2012 Olympic logo, value (Shakespeare) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Paralympics - Wheelchair rugby | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Man in wheelchair with a rugby ball in his lap, 2012 Paralympic logo, value (Ratcliffe) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 505,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Paralympics - Wrestling | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Two wrestlers sparring in arena, 2012 Paralympics logo, value (Enriquez) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 505,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Paralympics - Boccia | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Boccia player in wheelchair, 2012 Paralympics logo, value (Chung) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Basketball | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Four basketball players, 2012 Olympics logo, value, basketball background (Payne) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Fencing | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", year (Rank-Broadley) | Two fencers sparring, logo of 2012 Olympics, value (Summerfield) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Handball | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", value, year (Rank-Broadley) | Handball player above play ground, 2012 Olympic logo, value (Ratcliffe) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Football (Soccer) | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", value, year (Rank-Broadley) | Field diagram, 2012 Olympic logo, value (Wolfson) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 500,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Tennis | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", value, year (Rank-Broadley) | Tennis ball, net, 2012 Olympic logo, value (Baines) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 605,000 | |
2011 | 50th anniversary of the World Wildlife Fund | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", value, year (Rank-Broadley) | WWF logo, numerous animals, plants, and other objects, year (Dent) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,000,000 | |
silver | 250,000 | ||||||||
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Judo | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", value, year (Rank-Broadley) | Two judoists sparring, 2012 Olympic logo, value (Cornell) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,000 | |
2011 | 2012 Summer Olympics - Sailing | Elizabeth II, "ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·", value, year (Rank-Broadley) | Three sailboats in the water, 2012 Olympic logo, grid background, value (Rushin) | 8 g | 27.3 mm | 1.78 mm | cupronickel | 1,005,000 |
References[]
- Cuhaj, George; Michael, Thomas (2012). 2013 Standard Catalog of World Coins 2001 to Date (7 ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 1440229651. Retrieved 16 August 2012
- Cuhaj, George; Michael, Thomas (2012). 2013 Standard Catalog of World Coins - 1901-2000 (40 ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 1440229627. Retrieved 16 August 2012
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