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Encyclopedia > British fifty pence coin
Fifty Pence (United Kingdom)
Value: 50 Pence sterling
Mass: 8 g
Diameter: 27.3 mm
Thickness: 1.78 mm
Edge: Plain
Composition: 75% Cu, 25%Ni
Years of Minting: 1997–Present
Catalog Number: -
Obverse
Obverse
Design: Queen Elizabeth II
Designer: Ian Rank-Broadley
Design Date: 1994
Reverse
Reverse
Design: Britannia
Designer: Christopher Ironside
Design Date: 1969

The British decimal fifty pence (50p) coin – often pronounced "fifty pee" – was issued on October 14, 1969 in the run-up to decimalisation to replace the ten shilling note. Pence sterling is a subdivision of Pound sterling, the currency for the United Kingdom. ... Pence sterling is a subdivision of Pound sterling, the currency for the United Kingdom. ... BIC pen cap, about 1 gram. ... A millimetre (American spelling: millimeter), symbol mm is an SI unit of length that is equal to one thousandth of a metre. ... General Name, Symbol, Number copper, Cu, 29 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 4, d Appearance metallic pinkish red Standard atomic weight 63. ... General Name, Symbol, Number nickel, Ni, 28 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 10, 4, d Appearance lustrous, metallic and silvery with a gold tinge Atomic mass 58. ... Image File history File links Noimage. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... Ian Rank-Broadley (born 1952) is a British sculptor who has produced many acclaimed works, among which are several designs for British coinage. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... Image File history File links 50PREVISEDBRITANNIA.jpg http://www. ... Britannia on a 2005 £2 coin. ... Christopher Ironside designed various coins for the Royal Mint. ... For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... A variety of low value coins, including an Irish 2p piece and many U.S. pennies. ... A coin is usually a piece of hard material, generally metal, usually in the shape of a disc, and most often issued by a government, to be used as a form of money in transactions. ... October 14 is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... Headquarters London Governor Mervyn King Central Bank of United Kingdom Currency Pound Sterling ISO 4217 Code GBP Base borrowing rate 5. ...


The coin is minted from an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Between 1969 and 1997 the coin weighed 13.50 grams and had a diameter of 30.0 millimetres. In 1997 the coin was reduced in size to weigh 8.00 grams with a diameter of 27.3 millimetres. Apart from the reduction in size the design remained essentially the same. The coin is not circular but is an equilaterally curved heptagon to aid identification. The sides are not straight but are curved so that the centre of curvature is the opposite apex of the coin, allowing the coin to roll freely and have its diameter measured correctly in slot machines (see also curve of constant width). This shape was also later used for the twenty pence piece. An alloy is a combination, either in solution or compound, of two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal, and where the resulting material has metallic properties. ... General Name, Symbol, Number copper, Cu, 29 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 4, d Appearance metallic pinkish red Standard atomic weight 63. ... General Name, Symbol, Number nickel, Ni, 28 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 10, 4, d Appearance lustrous, metallic and silvery with a gold tinge Atomic mass 58. ... The Reuleaux triangle is the simplest nontrivial example of a curve of constant width - that is, a curve in which all diameters are the same length. ... Look up Heptagon in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Slot machines in the Trump Taj Mahal A slot machine (American English), poker machine (Australian English), or fruit machine (British English) is a certain type of casino game. ... For closed convex planar bodies whose boundary is a smooth curve, one notes that there are exactly two parallel tangent lines to the boundary curve in any given direction. ... The British decimal Twenty Pence (20p) coin was issued in June 1982 to fill in the obvious gap between the Ten Pence and Fifty Pence coins; it rapidly gained acceptance and very large numbers now circulate [1]. The coin is minted from an alloy of 84% copper and 16% nickel...


This denomination has frequently been used for commemorative purposes, and consequently there are more design variations in this coin than in any other current British denomination (except for the £2 coin, if one includes earlier commemorative issues). This article discusses the the commemorative British Two Pounds coins issued issued between 1986 and 1996, and the regular bimetallic circulation coins first issued in 1998 (dated 1997). ...


The normal reverse of the coin, designed by Christopher Ironside, depicts the seated Britannia with a lion, with the numeral "50" beneath, and either NEW PENCE (1969-1981) or FIFTY PENCE (since 1982) above Britannia. Christopher Ironside designed various coins for the Royal Mint. ... Britannia on a 2005 £2 coin. ... Binomial name Panthera leo (Linnaeus, 1758) Distribution of Lions in Africa Synonyms Felis leo (Linnaeus, 1758) The lion (Panthera leo) is a mammal of the family Felidae and one of four big cats in the genus Panthera. ...


Three different obverses have been used so far – from 1969 to 1984 the head of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin, from 1985 to 1997 the head by Raphael Maklouf, and since 1998 the head by Ian Rank-Broadley. Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... Arnold Machin (30 September 1911 _ 9 March 1999) was a British artist, sculptor, coin and stamp designer. ... Raphael Maklouf (born 10 December 1937) is a sculptor, best known for designing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth used on Commonwealth coinage from 1985 to 1997. ... Ian Rank-Broadley (born 1952) is a British sculptor who has produced many acclaimed works, among which are several designs for British coinage. ...

Contents

Variations

Up to 2007 there have been seventeen varieties of 50p coin, six large and eleven small, as follows.


Large – standard design

1969–1972, 1974–1981
Obverse: Machin head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D date, starting to the right of the head.
Reverse: Britannia and lion, 50 below NEW PENCE above.
Dates 1971–1972 and 1974–1975 were issued in collector's sets only.
1982–1984
Obverse: Machin head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D date, starting to the right of the head.
Reverse: Britannia and lion, 50 below FIFTY PENCE above.
Date 1984 only available in collector's sets.
1985–1993, 1995–1997
Obverse: Maklouf head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D date, starting to the bottom left of the head.
Reverse: Britannia and lion, 50 below FIFTY PENCE above.
All dates except 1985 available in collector's sets only. Demand for the 50p coin decreased with the issue of One Pound coins in 1983.

Image File history File links 50POLDBRITANNIA.jpg http://www. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... Image File history File links 50PREVISEDBRITANNIA.jpg http://www. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... Image File history File links 50PREVISEDBRITANNIA.jpg http://www. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... This article discusses the British One Pound circulating coin issued since 1983, only. ...

Large – commemorative issues

50p coin commemorating Britains accession to the EEC 1973: Commemorates the UK's accession to the European Economic Community.
Obverse: Machin head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D, starting to the right of the head, no date.
Reverse: Nine clasped hands, 1973 50 PENCE in the centre.
The design originally had the word EUROPE in the middle, but this was vetoed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
1992/3 British Presidency of EC 50p coin 1992–3: Commemorates the completion of the EC single market and the British presidency of the EC.
Obverse: Maklouf head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D, starting to the bottom left of the head.
Reverse: Conference table with seats and stars, 50 PENCE below, 1992 1993 above.
Very few issued into circulation.
1994 D-Day Commemorative 50p coin 1994: 50th anniversary of D-Day.
Obverse: Maklouf head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 1994, starting to the bottom left of the head.
Reverse: An invasion force of ships and planes, 50 PENCE to the right designed by John W Mills.

Image File history File links 50PRINGOFHANDS.jpg http://www. ... The European Community (EC), most important of three European Communities, was originally founded on March 25, 1957 by the signing of the Treaty of Rome under the name of European Economic Community. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Whitehall, seen from St. ... Image File history File links 50PCOUNCILOFMINISTERS.jpg http://www. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... Reverse of a 1994 D-Day 50th anniversary 50p coin File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Combatants United States United Kingdom Canada Free France Poland Germany Commanders Dwight Eisenhower (Supreme Allied Commander) Bernard Montgomery (land) Bertram Ramsay (sea) Trafford Leigh-Mallory (air) Omar Bradley (US 1st Army) Miles Dempsey (UK 2nd Army) Harry Crerar (Canadian 1st Army) Gerd von Rundstedt (OB WEST) Erwin Rommel (Heeresgruppe B... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... John William Mills PPRBS ARCA FRSA. is a British sculptor. ...

Small – standard design

1997
Obverse: Maklouf head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 1997, starting to the bottom left of the head.
Reverse: Britannia and lion, 50 below FIFTY PENCE above.
Issued only in 1997, but in very large numbers as it had to replace all the earlier types of 50p coin, which were withdrawn from circulation within 6 months.
1998–date
Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D date, starting to the bottom left of the head, IRB under the bust.
Reverse: Britannia and lion, 50 below FIFTY PENCE above.

Image File history File links 50PREVISEDBRITANNIA.jpg http://www. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... Image File history File links 50PREVISEDBRITANNIA.jpg http://www. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ...

Small – commemorative issues

1998 EU Commemorative 50p coin 1998: 25th anniversary of Britain joining the EU.
Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D date, starting to the bottom left of the head, IRB under the bust.
Reverse: Arrangement of 12 stars with 1973 EU 1998 underneath and 50 PENCE below designed by John W Mills.
5 million minted, but not often found in circulation.
1998 NHS Commemorative 50p coin 1998: 50th anniversary of the National Health Service.
Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D date, starting to the bottom left of the head, IRB under the bust.
Reverse: Caring hands holding sun's rays, FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY above and 50 PENCE below, NHS repeated 5 times around the border.
5 million minted, but not often found in circulation.
1998 Public Libraries Commemorative 50p coin 2000: 150th anniversary of the Public Libraries Act of 1850.
Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2000, starting to the bottom left of the head, IRB under the bust.
Reverse: Open book above pillared building inscribed PUBLIC LIBRARIES 1850 2000 above and 50 PENCE to the right.
5 million minted, but not often found in circulation.
2003 Suffragettes Commemorative 50p coin 2003: Centenary of the Women's Social and Political Union (the Suffragettes).
Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2003, starting to the bottom left of the head, IRB under the bust.
Reverse: Suffragette chained to railing holding a banner inscribed WSPU in her left hand, 50 PENCE to the left and a billboard inscribed GIVE WOMEN THE VOTE to the right, with 1903 below and 2003 to the right.
2004 four-minute-mile Commemorative 50p coin 2004: 50th anniversary of the first sub-four-minute mile, Roger Bannister, 6 May 1954.
Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2004, starting to the bottom left of the head, IRB under the bust.
Reverse: Lower body of a runner, superimposed on a stopwatch showing 3 minutes 59 seconds. Large 50 and PENCE at bottom, between runner's legs.
2005 Johnson's Dictionary Commemorative 50p coin 2005: 250th anniversary of the publication of Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language.
Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2005, starting to the bottom left of the head, IRB under the bust.
Reverse: Number 50 at top, with the dictionary definition of 'fifty' and 'pence'.
2006 Victoria Cross Commemorative 50p coin 2006: 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross.
Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2006, starting to the bottom left of the head, IRB under the bust.
Reverse: Pictures of both sides of the Victoria Cross, inscribed 29 JAN 1856 with VC FIFTY PENCE below. Designed by Claire Aldridge.
2006 Victoria Cross Commemorative 50p coin 2006: 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross.
Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2006, starting to the bottom left of the head, IRB under the bust.
Reverse: Soldier carrying wounded comrade, FIFTY PENCE below. Designed by Clive Duncan.
2006 Scout Movement Commemorative 50p coin 2007: 100th anniversary of the Scout Movement.
Obverse: Rank-Broadley head, inscription ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2005, starting to the bottom left of the head, IRB under the bust.
Reverse: The traditional Scouting fleur-de-lys , FIFTY PENCE above, BE PREPARED below. Designed by Mary Milner Dickens.

UK 50p coin 1998 EU commemorative edition (own scan) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... John William Mills PPRBS ARCA FRSA. is a British sculptor. ... UK 1998 NHS commemmorative 50p File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The National Health Service (NHS) is the publicly_funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... UK 2000 Public Libraries commemorative 50p File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Public Libraries Act 1850 The Public libraries Act of 1850 was legislation passed by the British Parliament. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Suffragette with banner, Washington DC, 1918 The title of suffragette (also occasionally spelled suffraget) was given to members of the womens suffrage movement in the United Kingdom. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... Download high resolution version (721x721, 38 KB)Reverse of a 2004 4 minute mile commemorative 50p coin File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Sir Roger Gilbert Bannister CBE (born March 23, 1929) is a British former athlete best known as the first man to run the mile in less than 4 minutes. ... May 6 is the 126th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (127th in leap years). ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... Image File history File links 50PENCE05. ... For other persons named Samuel Johnson, see Samuel Johnson (disambiguation). ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Badge for the 2007 Centenary - which will be worn by all Scouts around the world The Scouting 2007 Centenary comprises a number of celebrations around the world in which Scouts will celebrate 100 years of the World Scout Movement. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ...

External links

Numismatics Portal
  • Royal Mint – 50p coin
  • Coins of the UK - Decimal 50p Coin
Preceded by
Ten shilling note		 Half Pound
1971–Present		 Succeeded by
Current
v • d • e
British coinage
Current One penny · Two pence · Five pence · Ten pence · Twenty pence · Fifty pence · One pound · Two pounds
Commemorative Twenty-five pence · Five pounds
Withdrawn (decimal) Half penny
Withdrawn (pre-decimal) Farthing · Halfpenny · Penny · Threepence · Sixpence · One shilling · Two shillings · Half crown · Crown · Half sovereign · Sovereign · Guinea

  Results from FactBites:
 
Coin Summary (2045 words)
Some coins have coin orientation, where the coin must be flipped vertically to see the other side; other coins, such as British coins, have medallic orientation, where the coin must be flipped horizontally to see the other side.
Coins that are not round (British 50 pence for example) usually have an odd number of sides, with the edges rounded off.
Coins are popularly used as a sort of two-sided die; in order to choose between two options with a random possibility, one choice will be labeled "heads" and the other "tails," and a coin will be flipped or "tossed" to see whether the heads or tails side comes up on top.
Britain.tv Wikipedia - Coin (1452 words)
Some coins have coin orientation, where the coin must be flipped vertically to see the other side; other coins, such as British coins, have medallic orientation, where the coin must be flipped horizontally to see the other side.
Coins that are not round (British 50 pence for example) usually have an odd number of sides, with the edges rounded off.
Coins are popularly used as a sort of two-sided die; in order to choose between two options with a random possibility, one choice will be labeled "heads"?title=and the other "tails,"?title=and a coin will be flipped or "tossed"?title=to see whether the heads or tails side comes up on top.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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