Fifty Pence 2016 Battle of Hastings, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

This circulating commemorative 50p coin marks 950 years since the Battle of Hastings. The Battle of Hastings was fought on the 14th October 1066 between the French army led by Duke William II and the English army led by King Harold. King Harold II was defeated by William the Conqueror which led to the collapse of the English army. William was crowned as the first Norman King, a crucial moment in medieval history. The battle was such a significant event that it completely changed the course of history. The reverse of this coin was designed by John Bergdahl and is inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry.

The British decimal 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 with a large version of the coin; it was reduced in size in 1997, with the older coins being demonetised in 1998. The design of the new (smaller) type remained unchanged at that time, retaining Christopher Ironside's Britannia reverse. In 2008 though the regular reverse was changed to Matthew Dent's design; in a world-first concept, the designs for the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p coins depict sections of the Royal Shield that form the whole shield when placed together (the shield in its entirety being featured on the £1 coin).

The denomination has also been used extensively to issue one-year types of commemorative coins such as this one.

Twenty pence and fifty pence coins are legal tender only up to the sum of £10; this means that it is permissible to refuse payment of sums greater than this amount in 20p and 50p coins in order to settle a debt.

Coins issued in 2016 have now been in circulation for eight years.