Fifty Pence 1981, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Fifty Pence 1981, Coin from United Kingdom (demonetised 1998)
CoinFifty Pence 1981

The British fifty pence (50p) coin - often pronounced fifty pee - is a unit of currency equalling one half of a pound sterling. It is a seven-sided coin formed as an equilateral-curve heptagon, or Reuleaux polygon - a curve of constant width, meaning that the diameter is constant across any bisection. This shape, which was revolutionary at the time, made it easily distinguishable from round coins both by feel and by sight, while its constant breadth allowed it to roll in vending machines.

The denomination was introduced in October 1969 when the 50p joined the 5p (shilling) and 10p (florin) coins in circulation, leaving only the three copper coins (1/2p, 1p and 2p) to be introduced on 15 February 1971 to complete the new series of decimal coins; unlike other coin types at the time though, the 50 pence coin was not equivalent to a pre-decimal coin - it replaced the old ten shilling banknote.

With the introduction of smaller 5p and 10p coins in 1990 and 1992 respectively, the 50p became the largest coin in circulation. In October 1994 the Government announced a further review of the United Kingdom coinage. The results revealed a requirement for a smaller 50p coin, which was duly introduced on 1 September 1997; it retained the design by Christopher Ironside.

Coins issued in 1981 circulated for 17 years years until the 50p coin was reduced in size in 1997 and the older (large) coins were removed from circulation; they were demonetised in 1998.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 74,105,000 (74.1 million) , Rarity: C (Common)
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Obverse
United Kingdom / Fifty Pence 1981 - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows the crowned and draped young bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Second Portrait", by Arnold Machin).

The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Rank-Broadley and the Gottwald portraits.

Around, the monarch's legend and the date of issue: ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1981. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith 1981.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1981
Reverse
United Kingdom / Fifty Pence 1981 - reverse photo

The reverse features a figure of Britannia - traditional on British coinage since 1672. She is seated beside a lion, with a shield decorated with the crosses of the union flag resting against her right side, holding a trident in her right hand and an olive branch in her left hand, with the figure 50 below (in exergue) and the inscription NEW PENCE around above.

Reverse Inscription 50 NEW PENCE
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Fifty Pence 1981: Known varieties
Fifty Pence 1981: References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Royal Mint 28th March 2019 Mint link
Royal Mint 28th March 2019 Mintage link Circulation mintage
Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom Mintage Proof mintage
Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom Varieties Proof FDC
Showing 100 from a total of 135 coins of type: Fifty Pence
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Fifty Pence 1969 188,400,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1969
Fifty Pence 1970 19,461,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1970
Fifty Pence 1971 (Proof only) 350,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1971
Fifty Pence 1972 (Proof only) 150,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1972
Fifty Pence 1973 EEC 89,875,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D ·
Fifty Pence 1974 (Proof only) 100,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1974
Fifty Pence 1975 (Proof only) 100,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1975
Fifty Pence 1976 43,846,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1969
Fifty Pence 1977 49,729,800 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1977
Fifty Pence 1978 72,091,600 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1978
Fifty Pence 1979 58,761,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1979
Fifty Pence 1980 89,229,400 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1980
Fifty Pence 1981 74,105,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1981
Fifty Pence 1982 51,623,800 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1982
Fifty Pence 1983 63,569,804 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1983
Fifty Pence 1984 (mint sets only) 265,340 Queen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D · 1984
Fifty Pence 1985 962,493 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1985
Fifty Pence 1986 (mint sets only) 271,821 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1986
Fifty Pence 1987 (mint sets only) 261,084 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1987
Fifty Pence 1988 (mint sets only) 213,381 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1988
Fifty Pence 1989 (mint sets only) 163,273 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1989
Fifty Pence 1990 (mint sets only) 181,658 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1990
Fifty Pence 1991 (mint sets only) 130,119 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1991
Fifty Pence 1992 (Britannia, in sets only) 140,747 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1992
Fifty Pence 1992 Single Market 306,692 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1992
Fifty Pence 1993 (mint sets only) 123,025 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1993
Fifty Pence 1994 D-Day 6,950,212 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1994
Fifty Pence 1995 (mint sets only) 166,286 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1995
Fifty Pence 1996 (mint sets only) 154,082 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1996
Fifty Pence 1997 (Large, mint sets only) 190,305 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1997
Fifty Pence 1997 (Small) 456,554,405 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1997
Fifty Pence 1998 64,466,362 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 1998
Fifty Pence 1998 European Union (EU) 5,202,862 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 1998
Fifty Pence 1998 NHS 5,001,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 1998
Fifty Pence 1999 24,985,144 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 1999
Fifty Pence 2000 28,105,719 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2000
Fifty Pence 2000 Public Libraries Act 11,453,219 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2000
Fifty Pence 2001 85,105,613 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2001
Fifty Pence 2002 24,028,809 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2002
Fifty Pence 2003 23,739,512 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2003
Fifty Pence 2003 Suffragettes 3,290,124 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2003
Fifty Pence 2004 35,449,528 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2004
Fifty Pence 2004 Roger Bannister 9,176,899 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2004
Fifty Pence 2005 25,404,063 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2005
Fifty Pence 2005 Johnson's Dictionary 17,689,563 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2005
Fifty Pence 2006 24,604,689 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2006
Fifty Pence 2006 Victoria Cross - Award 12,261,974 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2006
Fifty Pence 2006 Victoria Cross - Heroic Acts 10,169,564 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2006
Fifty Pence 2007 11,238,215 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2007
Fifty Pence 2007 Scouting 7,887,475 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2007
Fifty Pence 2008 (Ironside design) 3,672,577 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2008
Fifty Pence 2008 (Dent design) 22,867,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2008
Fifty Pence 2009 (Dent, mint sets only) 141,809 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2009
Fifty Pence 2009 Kew Gardens 479,134 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G REG · F · D FIFTY PENCE
Fifty Pence 2010 (Dent, mint sets only) 100,033 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2010
Fifty Pence 2010 Girl Guiding 7,540,009 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2010
Fifty Pence 2011 (Dent, mint sets only) 84,981 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 WWF 3,496,273 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G REG · F · D FIFTY PENCE
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Aquatics 2,179,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Archery 3,345,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Athletics 2,224,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Badminton 2,133,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Basketball 1,748,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Boccia 2,166,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Boxing 2,148,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Canoeing 2,166,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Cycling 2,090,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Equestrian 2,142,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Fencing 2,115,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Football 1,125,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Goalball 1,615,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Gymnastics 1,720,813 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Handball 1,676,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Hockey 1,773,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Judo 1,161,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Modern Pentathlon 1,689,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Rowing 1,717,300 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Sailing 1,749,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Shooting 1,656,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Table Tennis 1,737,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Taekwondo 1,664,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Tennis 1,454,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Triathlon 1,163,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Volleyball 2,133,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Weightlifting 1,879,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Wheelchair Rugby 1,765,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2011 - London 2012 - Wrestling 1,129,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2011
Fifty Pence 2012 32,403,832 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2012
Fifty Pence 2013 10,347,937 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2013
Fifty Pence 2013 Christopher Ironside 7,036,485 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2013
Fifty Pence 2013 Benjamin Britten 5,313,337 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G · REG · F · D FIFTY PENCE · 2013
Fifty Pence 2014 49,043,594 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2014
Fifty Pence 2014 Commonwealth Games 6,550,488 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II D · G REG · F · D FIFTY PENCE
Fifty Pence 2015 (Fourth Portrait) 20,101,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2015
Fifty Pence 2015 (Fifth Portrait) 39,325,285 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF · 2015 ·
Fifty Pence 2015 Battle of Britain (Fourth Portrait) 33,818 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2015
Fifty Pence 2015 Battle of Britain (Fifth Portrait) 5,900,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE 2015 ·
Fifty Pence 2015 Battle of Britain (no denomination) 35,199 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF · 2015 ·
Fifty Pence 2016 (mint sets only) 144,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF · 2016 ·
Fifty Pence 2016 Team GB 6,442,646 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE 2016 ·
Showing 1 to 100 of 135 Coins.
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Fifty Pence 1981: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling
Coin TypeFifty Pence (Large)
Issued1981
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - Second Portrait, by Arnold Machin
ReverseBritannia, Seated
Face Value50 (x Penny)
Circulation Mintage74,002,000 (74.0 million)
Total Mintage74,105,000 (74.1 million), Rarity: C (Common)
CurrentNo; demonetised 1998
MaterialCuproNickel
DesignerChristopher Ironside
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeHeptagon (Seven-sided)
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size30.0000 mm
Thickness1.7800 mm
Mass13.5000 g
OCC IDRDKL-MEMK-CYNK-ENZB
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Fifty Pence 1981: Photos
ImageDetails
Fifty Pence 1981: Photo Proof Coin - 50 New Pence, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1981 / thumbnail Proof Coin - 50 New Pence, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1981
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Proof.
Source
Fifty Pence 1981: Photo Proof Coin - 50 New Pence, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1981 / thumbnail Proof Coin - 50 New Pence, Elizabeth II, Great Britain, 1981
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Proof.
Source
Fifty Pence 1981: Photo Coin, Great Britain, Elizabeth II, 50 New Pence, 1981 / thumbnail Coin, Great Britain, Elizabeth II, 50 New Pence, 1981
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Fifty Pence 1981: Photo Coin, Great Britain, Elizabeth II, 50 New Pence, 1981 / thumbnail Coin, Great Britain, Elizabeth II, 50 New Pence, 1981
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Fifty Pence 1981: Catalogue Reference IDs