| Coin | Fifty Pence 2009 Dictionary (NCLT) |
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The British fifty pence (50p) coin - often pronounced as "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 of its introduction, makes it easily distinguishable from round coins both by feel and by sight, while its constant breadth allows it to roll in vending machines.
The first UK Fifty Pence coin was issued in 1969 with the classic Britannia reverse design by Christopher Ironside, which was superseded in 2008 by the Matthew Dent design for circulation coins.The denomination is also extensively used to issue circulating commemorative coins.
Beginning in 2009, the Royal Mint started issuing 50 pence coins for collectors - such as this one - which are not meant to be released in circulation, so are classified as Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT).
The original Dictionary Fifty Pence coin was issued in 2005 as a circulating commemorative to mark the 250th Anniversary of Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language.
This coin is part of a 16-coin set featuring sixteen different 50 pence designs (of which this was the eleventh) to mark 40 years since the introduction of the denomination. The UK 50p 40th Anniversary (1969 - 2009) Set was issued as copper-nickel proofs, silver proofs, gold proofs and gold piedfort proofs.
No 2009-dated coins of this type were issued into circulation. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). 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 Machin and the Gottwald portraits.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the date: ELIZABETH · II · D · G REG · F · D · 2009. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith 2009.
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| Reverse | |
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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. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
50 PENCE JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY |
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| Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Included in Set |
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The UK 50p Proof Collection - 40th Anniversary (1969 - 2009), mintage 1,039
16 coins: 50p New Pence, 50p EEC, 50p Britannia, 50p Single Market, 50p D-Day, 50p EU, 50p NHS, 50p Public Libraries, 50p Suffragettes, 50p Roger Bannister, 50p Dictionary, 50p VC - Award, 50p VC - Heroic Acts, 50p Scouting, 50p Shield, 50p Kew Gardens
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