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Home > British coin Fifty Pence

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 and have a diameter of 27.3 millimetres. Note that the coin is not circular but an equilaterally curved heptagon (seven-sided) 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.

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.

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.

During the history of the coin, three different obverses have been used so far - between 1969 and 1984 the head of Queen Elizabeth IIGolden Jubilee in 2002, wearing her Canadian orders) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary), styled HM The Queen (born April 21, 1926) is the Queen regnant and Head of State of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland an by Arnold MachinArnold Machin ( 30 September 1911 9 March 1999) was a British artist, sculptor, coin and stamp designer. Born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1911, he started work at the age of 14 as an apprentice china painter at the Minton Pottery, then attended the Art Schools i was used, between 1985 and 1997 the head by Raphael MakloufRaphael 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. Maklouf was born in Jerusalem, emigrating with his family to the United Kingdom after the Second was used, and since 1998 one by Ian Rank-BroadleyIan Rank-Broadley (born 1952) is a British sculptor who has produced many acclaimed works, among which are several designs for British coinage. Rank-Broadleyeffigy ofElizabeth II Born in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, Rank-Broadley was educated at Epsom School has been used.

1 Variations

Up to 2003 there have been twelve varieties of 50p coin, six large and six small, as follows:

1.1 Large

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.

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 world 'EUROPE' in the middle, but this was vetoed by the Foreign and Commonwealth OfficeThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO is the United Kingdom government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom abroad. The FCO is headed by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The FCO was formed.

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.

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.

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.

Never commonly found in circulation.

1994: 50th anniversary of D-DayIn military parlance, D-Day is a term often used to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. By far the most well-known D-Day is June 6, 1944—the day on which the Battle of Normandy began—commencing the American and British.

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.

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Topics: British Coin Fifty Pence Head Reverse Elizabeth Starting Reg...

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