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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 1996 circulated for only two 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. No 50p coins were issued for circulation in 1996. 86,501 coins were struck for the Royal Mint's brilliant uncirculated sets plus 46,295 in standard proof sets and 21,286 proofs distributed in a red leather case. | ||||||||||||
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Family-run store trading in rare coins and bullion, plus jewellery design and sales |
Variety | Proof FDC | |
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Mintage | Issued: 67,581 (included in total) | |
In Set |
1996 United Kingdom Proof Coin Collection, mintage 46,295
9 coins: £5 Queen's 70th Birthday, £2 Football, £1 Irish Cross, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p - variety: 1996 United Kingdom Proof Coin Collection (deluxe), mintage 21,286 (not included in the above set) | |
Variety | Silver Proof FDC | |
Mintage | Issued: 15,000 | |
Material | 0.925 Silver | |
Details | 13.50 g., 0.925 Silver 0.4015 oz. ASW, 30 mm. | |
In Set |
1996 United Kingdom Silver Anniversary Collection, mintage 15,000
7 coins: £1 Irish Cross, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, 1p |
Source | Edition | About | Link | Notes |
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Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom | Mint | |||
Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom | Mintage | |||
Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom | Varieties | Proof, mint sets |
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Country | United Kingdom |
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Currency | Pound Sterling |
Coin Type | Fifty Pence (Large) |
Issued | 1996 |
Monarch | Queen Elizabeth II |
Effigy | Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait, by Raphael Maklouf |
Reverse | Britannia, Seated |
Face Value | 50 (x Penny) |
Circulation Mintage | 86,501 |
Total Mintage | 154,082 |
Current | No; demonetised 1998 |
Material | CuproNickel |
Designer | Christopher Ironside |
Technology | Milled (machine-made) |
Shape | Heptagon (Seven-sided) |
Orientation | Medal Alignment (Axis 0) |
Size | 30.0000 mm |
Thickness | 1.7800 mm |
Mass | 13.5000 g |
OCC ID | KLBR-PORR-CAZM-OMNY |
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Source | Reference ID |
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Spink, Coins of England and the United Kingdom | H4 (was 4351) |
Krause, Standard Catalog of World Coins | Great Britain KM# 940.1, 940.1a (Silver) |