Saturday, 28 September 2019

1096) 50th Anniversary of the first issue of the iconic 7-sided 50 Pence Coin, United Kingdom: Commemorative 50 Pence Coins in the variants of Gold, Silver and Brilliant Uncirculated issued by the Royal Mint, UK on 24.09.2019:

1096) 50th Anniversary of the first issue of the iconic 7-sided 50 Pence Coin, United Kingdom: Commemorative 50 Pence Coins in the variants of Gold, Silver and Brilliant Uncirculated issued by the Royal Mint, UK on 24.09.2019:


The Royal Mint, UK has issued new commemorative coins to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first issue of the still distinctive and iconic 7-sided 50-Pence Coins.

The Reverses of the three variants of the 50 Pence Commemorative Coin issued in 2019 in celebration of crossing the 50th Anniversary milestone of this iconic denomination - Gold, Piedfort Silver and Silver, and Brilliant Uncirculated - shown against the background of the Union Jack (the British Flag)

The Evolution:


In 1971, when the Royal Mint revised Britain's currency system, by adopting a decimal system, this new denomination was envisaged to replace the 10-Shilling Banknotes (equivalent to half-Pound Banknotes) and this denomination was introduced with great enthusiasm. 

The 50 new Pence coins were minted/circulated for the first time in 1969, well before Great Britain's official change-over date to decimal currency in 1971. (Interestingly, I have a specimen of the 1969 issue of the 50 Pence Coin in my numismatic collection. All along I thought it was an early experimental issue, but only now I have realised this coin's historical importance !!).

Initial models of the 50 Pence coins included 10 and 12-sided versions and there was even a square model with rounded corners.

 Later on the Royal Mint's unique 7-sided shape was adopted by the Mint, which made this denomination stand out from other coins in circulation. The shape underwent a bit of a refinement and took on a distinctive round edge, removing inconvenient sharp points which also reduced the rate of wear and increased its practicality with vending machines, which had begun coming into increasing use in day-to-day commerce. 

The new 50-Pence coin had a proposed weight of 13.5 grams, with a metal composition of Cupro-nickel and had a Diameter/Size of 30.0 mm.

When the production began of decimal coinage in 1968, the Obverse carried an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Arnold Machin (1911-1999), which was already in use on new 5 and 10 Pence coins. 

The Reverse design kept everyone foxed for some time, till it was decided that "Britannia" - the allegorical figure of Great Britain should transition onto the new 50 Pence denomination, as the earlier circulating one penny coins with the Britannia image were being withdrawn from circulation - the honour of designing the Reverse design went to Christopher Ironside, whose rendition of Britannia seated alongside a lion is considered to be among his best works. The new Design was accompanied by the words "NEW PENCE" and the numeral "50".

(For my post on Christopher Ironside on this blog, please visit the following link: Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his " Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK)

Officially released on 14.10.1969, the new 50 Pence coins were greeted with a lot of excitement/interest by the user public - but not many were impressed with the shape of this coin. Shopkeepers, bus conductors and common folk were unhappy with the coin's distinct shape and easily confused it with the already circulating 10 New Pence coin - and even the soon to be demonetised half-crown.

Over time, the 50-Pence coin began to reach extensive circulation and the 10-Shilling Banknote was less frequently used.

When the United Kingdom officially introduced the decimal system, 50-Pence coins were in use/circulation for more than two years - having become a familiar coin with the British and a collector's piece with visitors.

In 1975, the first commemorative design featured on the 50 Pence coin, on the occasion of a referendum held to confirm the UK's admission into the European Economic Community (EEC). 

In 1992, it was followed by another commemorative coin issue when the UK assumed the European Union's Rotating Council's Presidency.

Since then, the coin has been issued with many Reverse Commemorative designs - including 29 different designs representations in 2011, which were hosted in London, 50th Anniversary of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Battle of Britain et al.

The coin remained in circulation without changes to its specifications until 1997, when its Diameter/Size was reduced to 27.3 mm and weight was reduced to 8.0 grams. So far a total of four effigies of Queen Elizabeth II have featured on this iconic coin on the Obverse.

The Commemorative Coins:


The Obverse and Reverse faces of the Brilliant Uncirculated variant


Images of the Reverse of the Commemorative Brilliant Uncirculated & Silver variants. On the upper periphery is engraved "NEW PENCE". In the centre is shown a Britannia image seated alongside a lion, facing right.

On the lower periphery is the denomination of the coin in numerals - "50"



The 2019 Commemorative Coin reintroduces the original seated Britannia design complete with the word "NEW", which was removed from subsequent issues since 1983.

Of importance to the Commemorative Coin design is the inclusion of the letters "A to G", which appear on each point on the outer rim of the Reverse and are joined by an arched crossing line

Each coin bears a special privy mark in the shape of a Spirograph-type design drawn from an extension of lines forming the 50 Pence shape, a first for  any British 50 Pence Coin.




The Obverse of the Silver and Gold variants shown above.

The peripheral inscriptions are - "50 Pence. 2019. ELIZABETH II. D.G. REG. F.D." (meaning " Elizabeth II, Dei Gratia (By the Grace of God), Regina (Queen) , FD (Defender of the Faith)



The Obverse of the 2019 50 Pence Coin shows the current and fifth effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Jody Clark, whose initials "JC" appear below the Queen's neck. This effigy has been engraved on all British coins since 2015.

The specifications of the various variants of this  Commemorative Coin are:

i) Cupro-Nickel variant:

Denomination: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: Cupro-Nickel; Weight: 8.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.3 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated; Maximum Mintage: Unlimited; Year of issue: 2019; Minted by: Royal Mint, UK.

ii) Silver variants (two):

Denomination: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: .925 Silver (Ag); Weight: 8.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.3 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 3,500 pieces; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Year of issue: 2019.

Denomination: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: .925 Piedfort Silver (Ag); Weight: 16.0 grams; Diameter: 27.3 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 1,969 pieces; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Year of issue: 2019.

iii) Gold variant

Denomination: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: .9167 Gold (Au); Weight:15.5 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.3 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 300 pieces; Mint: Royal Mint, UK,; Year of issue: 2019.








Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories/Dependencies:
Central Bank of Ireland issues:

1) Jonathan Swift: 350th Birth Anniversary 15 Euro Silver Proof coin features his most famous work "Gulliver's Travels" : Coin issued on 30.11.2017

2) Ireland: Women's right to Vote - 100th Year Anniversary : A Silver 15 Euro Proof Collector Coin issued by the Central Bank of Ireland on 27.11.2018

3) Irish Myths & Legends: 1) The Children of Lir;2) Cu Chulain; 3) The Omniscient Salmon of Knowledge; 4) Werewolves of Ossory; 5) The Brown Bull of Cooley and Deirdre of the Sorrows: An Annual Mint Set from the Central Bank of Ireland, recreates/celebrates Irish Folk Tales (Issue date: 30.04.2018)

4) Centenary of the "First Trans-Atlantic Aviation", Ireland: A 15 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the central Bank of Ireland and minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Coin issue date: 10.07.2019

Northern Ireland Bank issues:

1) Northern Ireland Polymer Bank Issues: Danske Bank (10 Pounds Polymer Banknotes), Bank of Ireland (5 & 10 Pound Polymer Banknotes) to go into circulation in 2020/21

6) Jane Austen: features on the second circulating Polymer Banknote of 10 Pounds denomination to be released on 14.09.2017

Inspirations from Scottish History (Clydesdale Bank Banknotes): 

1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes
  
2) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote

Banknotes from Bank of Scotland:



British Crown Dependencies:

1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey

2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey

3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey

4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain

5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010
  
6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015

7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend

8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie

9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda

10) The Bailiwick of Jersey - Presently circulating coinage - Pounds and Pence 

11) St. Helena & Ascension Islands: An Uncirculated Coin Set from 2003 

12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint

13) Currency of the Falkland Islands: A British Overseas Territory (BOT) Pounds & Pence

14) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The first Coin in the Series of four coins: the Rock-Hopper Penguin 


15) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The Gentoo Penguin:Second Coin in the series of four coins issued on 20.06.2017 

19) The Isle of Man: A British Crown Dependency (BCD) Coinage: A newly introduced Collector's circulation Currency Coinage Collector's set received from the Tower Mint, London, UK issued in April 2017

20) Pegasus: British Virgin Islands: A gold Bullion Coin of $100 issued by Pobjoy Mint on belalf of British Virgin Islands in July 2018

21) "The Hydra": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High Relief Coin with Antique Finish: Third Coin in the Series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 07.08.2018

22) "Medusa The Gorgon": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Fourth Coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint UK on behalf of BIOT in 09/2018



25) South Atlantic Fauna Coins from Ascension Island and South Georgia and Sandwich Islands, British Overseas Territories (BOT): (Part II): A 1 Pound Titanium Coin & a 1 Pound Uncirculated Coin variant, feature the Queen Triggerfish, issued on behalf of Ascension Island (2019) minted by the Pobjoy Mint, UK

26) Ernest Shackleton, Antarctic Explorer: South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands: A 2 Pounds Coin minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK, brought out on 26.02.2019 on behalf of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands in two variants - Silver and Cupro-nickel

27) Concorde, a Stamp set from Gibraltar, A British Overseas Territory (BOT): 50th Anniversary of the first Supersonic Passenger Carrying Airplane, jointly built by France and Great Britain: Stamp set issue date: 20.04.2019

28) Tristan da Cunha (BOT): A Wedgwood "Three Graces" Jasperware 5 Pound Coin: minted in 2018

29) 75th Anniversary of D-Day Landings: (The Battle of Normandy): i) A Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau Stamp set of 4 stamps issued on 08.03.2019: ii) A Limited edition D-Day joint Commemorative issue by British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territory - Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man and Gibraltar on 06.06.2019

30) Manannan, the First King of Isle of Man or Mann: A Silver 5 Pounds Coin brought out by the Isle of Man in collaboration with Coin Invest Trust (CIT) and minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich

31) 200th Anniversary of John Keats' "Odes to a ....", Alderney Island: A set of six Postage stamps issued by Guernsey Post which brings out stamps on behalf of Alderney Island - 1) Ode on a Grecian Urn,(48p) 2) Ode on Indolence (65p), 3) Ode on Melancholy (66p), 4) Ode to a Nightingale (80p), 5) Ode to Psyche (90p), 6) Ode to Autumn (98 p): Stamp Set issue date: 24.07.2019

32) Isle of Mann: Celebrating the 200th Birth Anniversary of the Birth of Herman Melville, the author of the classic Moby Dick: A six Stamp Set issued on 22.07.2019



Famous Battles
1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to St. Helena: (Part I): A One Crown Commemorative coin issued by the Ascension Island (minted by Pobjoy Mint UK) 
2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK

3) Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain by issuing a 50 Pence coin by the Royal Mint UK

Gold Coins:
  
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013 & 2014 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark

2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark 

Silver Coins:

1) A 20 Pound Silver coin minted for the first timr by the royal Mint UK: reverse design carries the famous St. George slaying the dragon design found on Gold Sovereigns 

British India Coinage:

 1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835

2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress

3) Edward VII: King & Emperor  Coinage

4) George V King Emperor Coinage

5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage 

Other British Royalty: 

1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK

2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown

3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK

4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013

5) The British Empire:  A Case of Numismatic "Segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)

6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark

 British Coinage:

1) The contribution of the Great British One-Pound coins in keeping alive the historical legends/emblems/heritage of the UK (1983 onwards)

2) Transformation of a Five shilling Coin (Crown) into the UK Twenty-five Pence & then the Five Pound Coin


4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone




 Commemorative British Coinage:

 1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era

 2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK

3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)

4) Commemorating 150 Years of the London Underground : Two pound Coins minted by the Royal Mint UK, showing the "Roundel" logo and a train emerging from a tunnel 

5) Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his " Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK 




Links: Postage Stamps: 



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