2033) "Charles Babbage, (Polymath, Mechanical Engineer - Inventor of the First Mechanical Computer) and United Kingdom: 150th Anniversary of his passing away (1871-2021) : Fourth Coin in the Coin Series titled "Innovation in Science": Royal Mint, UK has brought out a 50 Pence Coin in three Variants - Gold, Piedfort Silver & Silver and Base Metal: Date of Coin issue: 14.09.2021:
The Reverse of the 50 Pence Coin issued in three Variants - Gold, Silver (Standard & Sterling) and Base Metal.
The fourth of the Royal Mint UK’s "Innovation in Science Coin Series" coins released on 14.09.2021, after the earlier issues on John Logic Baird (first working Television), Stephen Hawking, and Rosalind Franklin, features - Charles Babbage and his Difference & Analytical Engines.
Babbage was a visionary English polymath and mechanical engineer who combined his talents to design the first computer, although mechanical in nature. An influential scientist, Charles Babbage was a lifelong inventor who believed that scientific advancement should benefit everyone. He was best known for his mechanical calculator, or "Difference Engine," and conceived the Analytical Engine, that had many essential features found in modern digital computers.
Incredibly, his "Analytical Engine" created all the core fundamental principles of modern computing and along with the "Difference Engine", set science on a path we still walk today.
While he never built his creations, passing away in 1871 before they could be completed, the designs were built by others in 1991, and they were perfectly functional.
The Coin:
The Obverse & Reverse of the 50 Pence Coin depicting Charles Babbage's invention
The Royal Mint, is celebrating the life and legacy of Charles Babbage with a commemorative 50p coin, released to mark the 150th anniversary of his death.
The Reverse of the 50 Pence Gold, Sterling Silver/Standard Silver & Base Metal Coins honours Babbage’s legacy with a design that links his machinery to the digital age on the canvas of a 50p piece.
The Coin combines traditional minting skills and modern technology. Using a geometric modernist typeface and suggesting the horizontal and vertical bars and numbers from the original machine, the design reflects the movement and flow of the calculations in motion, adding the extra twist of encoding Babbage’s name.
The Obverse of the 50 Pence Gold, Sterling/Standard Silver & Base Metal Coins features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right designed by Jody Clark, whose initials "JC" appear below the Queen's neck. The peripheral inscriptions are - "50 PENCE.2021. ELIZABETH II. DG. REG.FD."
The Coin has been issued in Gold, Silver and Base Metal Variants:
1) The specifications of the Gold Variant are:
Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2021; Denomination/Face Value: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: .9167 or 22.0 Karat Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 1/2 Oz or 15.50 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.30 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Mintage: 260 pieces; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Designers: (Obverse) Jody Clark (Reverse): Nigel Tudman and Jas Bhamra.
2) The specifications of the Standard Silver Variant are:
Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2021; Denomination/Face Value: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 16.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.30 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Mintage: 1510 pieces; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Designers: (Obverse) Jody Clark (Reverse): Nigel Tudman and Jas Bhamra.
3) The specifications of the Sterling Silver Variant are:
Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2021; Denomination/Face Value: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 8.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.30 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Mintage: 4,000 pieces; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Designers: (Obverse) Jody Clark (Reverse): Nigel Tudman and Jas Bhamra.
4) Base Metal Variant:
A base-metal, brilliant uncirculated version is also available for the casual collector.
An image of the inventor Charles Babbage is featured on the brilliant uncirculated coin folder packaging.
Remarks:
- The proof silver and proof silver piedfort coins come in plush black cases, while the proof gold strike features a rosewood display case.
- As is traditional for the series, this Charles Babbage 50 pence is available in proof gold, proof silver and proof silver piedfort, as well as, brilliant uncirculated copper-nickel with special educational packaging.
Links: Postage Stamps from the British Isles:
"Tales of the Earth Coin Series": The Second Dinosaurs Collector Coin Series:
Myths & Legends Coin Series:
3) Hylaeosaurus, United Kingdom: Third and final Coin in a three Coin 50 Pence Coin Series titled "Tales of the Earth - Dinosauria", brought out by the Royal Mint, UK in five variants - Gold, Silver (x 2 coins) and Cupro-nickel (x 2 Coins): Date of coin issue: 01.06.2020
Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories/Dependencies:
Links: Crypto-Currency Stamps & Coin Posts:
British Antarctic Territory (BAT) Related Links on this Blog:
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