Fifty Pence – 50p

3001973 EEC
This coin commemorates the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community (EEC). It is the first commemorative issue of the 50p denomination. It is also the first where the date was on the reverse and not the obverse as usual. No “regular” circulating type (seated Britannia) 50 pence coins were issued in 1973.

1992 SINGLE MARKET
In 1992, a fifty pence coin was issued to commemorate the United Kingdom’s Presidency of the European Community, and the completion of the Single European Market. The United Kingdom held the Presidency of the European Community during the second half of 1992. The Single European Market came into effect on January 1st 1993.

1994 D-Day

This coin commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day Normandy Landings. It only circulated for four years until the large fifty pence coins were demonetised in 1998.

1998 EU

A celebratory arrangement of twelve stars reflecting the European flag with the letters EU between the anniversary dates 1973 and 1998, and the value 50 PENCE below.

1998 NHS

A pair of hands set against a pattern of radiating lines with FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY and the value 50 PENCE accompanied by the initials NHS which appear five times on the outer border.

2000 Public Libraries Act

The turning pages of a book, anniversary dates 1850-2000 and the value 50 PENCE, all above a classical library building on which appear the words PUBLIC LIBRARIES within a pediment containing compact discs.
The designer’s signature is between the two right-most columns.

2003 Suffragettes

Figure of a suffragette chained to railings, holding a banner on which appears WSPU; to the right a ballot paper with a cross and the words GIVE WOMEN THE VOTE; to the left the value and denomination 50 PENCE and below to the right the anniversary dates of 1903 and 2003.

2006 Victoria Cross – Award

A commemorative coin to mark the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross – “The Institution”.
The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. All who have received it have shown extraordinary bravery, many at the cost of their own lives. The original idea for the Victoria Cross was proposed by the Duke of Newcastle in 1854 and the Royal Warrant for the creation of the medal was signed by Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace on 29 January 1856. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the institution of the Victoria Cross The Royal Mint struck two fifty pence coins (another coin depicts the Heroic Acts of the persons awarded with the VC).
Depiction of the Victoria Cross with the date 29 Jan 1856 in the centre of the reverse of the Cross and the letters VC to the right and the value FIFTY PENCE below. A ribbon on the left cross has the inscription FOR VALOUR.
Mintage: 12,261,974

2005 Dictionary

This commemorative coin mark 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.
The designer’s monogram TP (for Tom Phillips) is in the lower field.
Mintage: 17,689,563

2006 Victoria Cross – Heroic Acts

A commemorative coin to mark the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross – “The Institution”.
The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. All who have received it have shown extraordinary bravery, many at the cost of their own lives. The original idea for the Victoria Cross was proposed by the Duke of Newcastle in 1854 and the Royal Warrant for the creation of the medal was signed by Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace on 29 January 1856. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the institution of the Victoria Cross The Royal Mint struck two fifty pence coins.
Depiction of a soldier carrying a wounded comrade with an outline of a Victoria Cross surrounded by a sunburst effect in the background. Around below, the value and denomination FIFTY PENCE.
The designer’s initials CD (for Clive Duncan) are in exergue, to the left of the soldier’s boot.
Mintage: 10,169,564

2007 Scouting

Commemorative coin to mark 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.
The designer’s initial K (for Kerry Jones) is on the globe to the left of the fleur-de-lis.
Mintage: 7,887,475

2009 Kew Gardens

A rare commemorative coin to mark the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew.
The reverse features a design showing the famous Chinese Pagoda at Kew with a decorative leafy climber vine twining in and around the tower, accompanied by the dates 1759 and 2009, with the word Kew at the base of the pagoda.
Value and denomination are not displayed (they are on the obverse).
Mintage: 479,134

2010 Girl Guiding

A commemorative coin to mark 100 Years of the Girlguiding movement in the United Kingdom.
A circular design of six clover leaves surrounding a central leaf, each with a five-pointed star at the centre of the middle leaf. Around, the text CELEBRATING ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF GIRL GUIDING UK; below, in two lines, the value and denomination 50 PENCE.
The designers’ initials JE (for Jonathan Evans) and DH (for Donna Hainan) are respectively in the left and in the right field.
Mintage: 7,540,009

2011 WWF

A commemorative coin to Celebrate the 50 years of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
The designer Matthew Dent says about his reverse design: “I wanted to design a selection of stylised icons to represent the various facets of WWF that would be recognisable when fitted onto the coin’s face. Peer closely and you’ll see mammals, birds, fish, insects and lizards, fruit, seeds, trees and plants, and icons representing the human impact”.
The abbreviation WWF is under a stylised panda (the organisation’s logo) surrounded by a multitude of stylised animals and plants. The date 2011 is below; to the right of it is a human footprint, and next to that the designer’s initials MD.
Value and denomination are not displayed (they are on the obverse).
Mintage: 3,496,273

London 2012 – Aquatics

A commemorative coin celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games, for which the Royal Mint released a series of coins representing various sports: Aquatics, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boccia, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Goalball, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wheelchair Rugby and Wrestling.
Design: A swimmer submerged in water, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 2,179,000

London 2012 – Archery

A commemorative coin celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games, for which the Royal Mint released a series of coins representing various sports.
Design: A bow being drawn, with the London 2012 Paralympic logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 3,345,500

London 2012 – Badminton

A large shuttlecock and a diagram of badminton moves, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination “50 PENCE” below. Designed by Emma Kelly.
Mintage: 2,133,500

London 2012 – Basketball

Four players in front of a textured background of a basketball, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination “50 PENCE” below. Designed by Sarah Payne.
Mintage: 1,748,000

London 2012 – 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.
Mintage: 2,166,000

London 2012 – Boxing

A pair of boxing gloves inside a boxing ring, with the London 2012 Olympic logo above and the denomination “50 PENCE” below. Designed by Shane Abery.
Mintage: 2,148,500

London 2012 – Boxing

A pair of boxing gloves inside a boxing ring, with the London 2012 Olympic logo above and the denomination “50 PENCE” below. Designed by Shane Abery.
Mintage: 2,148,500

London 2012 – Cycling

A cyclist in a velodrome, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 2,090,500

London 2012 – Equestrian

A horse and rider jumping over a fence, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 2,142,500

London 2012 – Fencing

Two figures fencing, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 2,115,500

London 2012 – Football

A diagrammatic explanation of the offside rule in football, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Low Mintage: 1,125,500

London 2012 – Goalball

A goalball player throwing a ball, with the London 2012 Paralympic logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 1,615,500

London 2012 – Gymnastics

A gymnast with a ribbon, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 1,720,813

London 2012 – Handball

A handball player throwing a ball against the background of a handball court, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 1,676,500

London 2012 – Hockey

Two hockey players challenging for the ball, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 1,773,500

London 2012 – Judo

A judo throw, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Low Mintage: 1,161,500

London 2012 – Pentathlon

A montage of the five sports which form the modern pentathlon, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 1,689,500

London 2012 – Rowing

A rowing boat accompanied by a number of words associated with the Olympic movement on six lines: EXCELLENCE FRIENDSHIP, FAIR PLAY, RESPECT, FRIENDSHIP, FAIR PLAY RESPECT, EXCELLENCE; the London 2012 logo is above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE are below.
Mintage: 1,717,300

London 2012 – Sailing

Three sailing boats accompanied by a map of the coast of Weymouth, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 1,749,500

London 2012 – Shooting

A figure shooting, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 1,656,500

London 2012 – Table Tennis

Two table tennis bats against the background of a table and net, with the London 2012 Paralympic logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 1,737,500

London 2012 – Taekwondo

Two athletes engaged in Taekwondo, with the London 2012 logo above and the value denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 1,664,000

London 2012 – Tennis

A tennis net and a tennis ball, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 1,454,000

London 2012 – Triathlon

A montage of the three sports which form the triathlon, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Low Mintage: 1,163,500

London 2012 – Volleyball

Three figures playing beach volleyball, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 2,133,500

London 2012 – Weightlifting

The outline of a weightlifter starting a lift, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 1,879,500

London 2012 – Wheelchair Rugby

A wheelchair rugby player in action, with the London 2012 Paralympic logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Mintage: 1,765,500

London 2012 – Wrestling

Two figures wrestling in a stadium, with the London 2012 logo above and the value and denomination 50 PENCE below.
Low Mintage: 1,129,500

2013 Christopher Ironside

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Christopher Ironside, designer of the UK’s first decimal coins.
Design: A version of the Royal Arms with the inscription FIFTY PENCE above and the denomination 50 in numerals below.
The designer’s initials CI (for Christopher Ironside) are between the shield and the numerals 50.
Mintage: 7,036,485

2013 Benjamin Britten

Designed by artist Tom Phillips CBE RA, the coin features the uplifting words BLOW BUGLE BLOW and SET THE WILD ECHOES FLYING as well as the composer’s name in a stave, a reference to his virtuosity as a pianist and conductor.
Mintage: 5,313,337

2014 Commonwealth Games

A cyclist and a runner, with a superimposed diagonal cross (St Andrew’s cross from the flag of Scotland). Diagonally above, in three lines, the text XX COMMONWEALTH GAMES GLASGOW; below left, the date 2014.
The artist’s initials AL (for Alex Loudon) are in the lower right.
Mintage: 6,550,488

2015 Battle of Britain

A flight crew of three people running toward two aircraft at an airfield; many airplanes flying above. At centre, in two lines THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN; below the running figures, 1940.
Mintage: 5,900,000

2016 Team GB

Issued to wish Team GB success in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.The reverse design depicts a swimmer with the Team GB logo, the Olympic rings and the inscription TEAM GB.
Mintage: 6,442,646

2016 Battle of Hastings

The coin marks 950 years since the Battle of Hastings. The Battle of Hastings was fought on the 14th October 1066 between the French army led by Duke William II and the English army led by King Harold. The reverse is inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry and depicts a medieval warrior holding a shield pierced by arrows, dividing the date 1066. Around, the text BATTLE OF HASTINGS; below, the date 2016.
Mintage: 6,771,009

2016 Beatrix Potter Portrait

Elements that celebrate the life of Beatrix Potter from 1866 to 1943, with an outlined portrait at the top. Designed by Emma Noble.
Mintage: 6,900,000

2016 Jemima Puddle-Duck

This special edition 50p coin was issued in 2016 to celebrate one of Beatrix Potter’s much-loved children’s tales, ‘The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck’.
Mintage: 2,100,000

2016 Mrs Tiggy-Winkle

This special edition 50p coin was issued in 2016 to celebrate one of Beatrix Potter’s much-loved characters. Based on her own pet hedgehog – Mrs TiggyWinkle and Kitty MacDonald, a Scottish washerwoman.
Mintage: 8,800,000

2016 Peter Rabbit

This special edition 50p coin was issued in 2016 to celebrate one of Beatrix Potter’s much-loved characters. ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’ was the first of Beatrix Potter’s tales.
Mintage: 9,600,000

2016 Squirrel Nutkin

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin features the red squirrel named Nutkin and his escape from an owl called Old Brown.
Mintage: 5,000,000

2017 Royal Shield

This 50p coin design was part of a winning competition entry by Matthew Dent from Bangor in Wales. Six designs from the 1p through to the 50p coin can be pieced together to form a complete image of the Royal Shield of Arms.
Mintage: 1,800,000

2017 Sir Isaac Newton

These special edition 50p coins were issued in 2017 to commemorate the achievements of Sir Isaac Newton, marking the 375th anniversary of his birth. Widely recognised as one of the most influential scientists of all time and a key figure in the scientific revolution, Newton changed our understanding of mathematics and physics, redefined the way we see the world and shaping the security of our currency in his role as Master of the Mint.
Mintage: 1,801,500

2017 Tom Kitten

The Tale of Tom Kitten features Tom and his sisters, Moppet and Mittens, dressed in their finest clothes ready for a visit from their mother’s guests. After being sent to the garden to amuse themselves, the kittens fail dismally at keeping their clothes clean and tidy, eventually losing them to the passing Puddle-Ducks.
Mintage: 9,500,000

2017 Mr Jeremy Fisher

The story of an eventful fishing trip that ends in Jeremy narrowly escaping being a trout’s dinner. ‘The Tale of Mr Jeremy Fisher’ gives us a wider glimpse into the charming world Beatrix Potter created, as we meet some interesting friends in the story including Mr Alderman Ptolemy Tortoise.
Mintage: 9,900,000

2017 Benjamin Bunny

Benjamin Bunny’s story is a sequel to ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’. The story sees Benjamin join forces with his cousin Peter to venture into Mr. McGregor’s garden and retrieve the clothes Peter lost in his first adventure. The intrepid rabbits escape a near-miss with the farm cat and receive a firm lesson from Mr. Benjamin Bouncer for their trouble.
Mintage: 25,000,000

2018 Representation of the People Act 50p

The Act was passed in 1918 and gave the right to vote to all men over the age of 21, and any man 19 or older who had served in the armed forces. Women received the right to vote for the first time in UK history. There were certain conditions attached to the women’s vote (over 30 years of age and “of property”), but nevertheless, this represented a massive step forward in attitudes. Ten years later the Equal Franchise Act was passed in 1928, which finally gave all women over 21 the same voting rights as men.
Mintage: 9,000,000

2018 Peter Rabbit

Large Peter Rabbit character munching on radishes.
Mintage: 1,400,000

2018 Flopsy Bunny

The tale of Flopsy Bunny.
Beatrix Potter lived from 1866 to 1943 and was the artist behind some of the best-loved characters in children’s literature.
Mintage: 1,400,000

2018 The Tailor of Gloucester

Celebrating one of Beatrix Potter’s 23 children’s tales, ‘The Tailor of Gloucester’.
Mintage: 3,900,000

2018 Mrs Tittlemouse

Celebrating one of Beatrix Potter’s 23 children’s tales, ‘Mrs Tittlemouse’.
Mintage: 1,700,000

2018 Paddington at the Station

This is the first of the two Paddington 50p coins released in 2018 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the iconic British bear. The character first appeared in the book “A Bear Called Paddington” written in 1958 by Michael Bond. The coin images are based on the modern adaptation CGI/live-action movie.
Mintage: 5,001,000

2018 Paddington at the Palace

Paddington Bear waving a Union Jack flag outside Buckingham Palace.
Mintage: 5,901,000

2019 Paddington at St Pauls

Paddington Bear in front of St Pauls Cathedral, from his visit to the iconic London landmark.
Mintage: unknown

2019 Paddington at the Tower

Paddington Bear ready to tuck into his marmalade sandwiches in front of the Tower of London.
Mintage: Unknown

2019 Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes smoking a pipe, surrounded by famous story titles. Sherlock Holmes 50p coins was released in 2019 to celebrate 160 years since the birth of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, writer of the fictional detective series. It has been said that his works revolutionized the crime genre, and the popularity of Sherlock Holmes resulted in Doyle becoming one of the best-paid authors of the time.
Mintage: Unknown

2019 Peter Rabbit

2019 Peter Rabbit

2020 Peter Rabbit

2020 Peter Rabbit