Fifty Pence 2021 John Logie Baird, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

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 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UK Fifty Pence coin was issued in 1969 with the classic Britannia reverse design by Christopher Ironside, which was superseded in 2008 by the Matthew Dent design for circulation coins.The denomination is also extensively used to issue circulating commemorative coins.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).

This commemorative 50p coin is the third in the Innovation in Science 50p series, and marks the 75th anniversary of the death of John Logie Baird. A prolific inventor famous for his early prototypes of television, John Logie Baird’s work changed society and entertainment around the world. The coin celebrates the inventor and his creations.

The coin was designed by Osborne Ross - a design consultancy based in London. The artists say about the design:
"“The equipment that Logie Baird used for his first broadcast is not recognisable to our modern eyes as a television, so we looked for another way to express the idea of transmission. A silhouette of the mast at Crystal Palace, together with the radiating circles indicating a broadcast, gave a strong graphic illustration which worked well within the shape of the coin.

We felt that using the radiating lines as a timeline of Logie Baird’s life and achievements would help to give the viewer a second level of read. We worked closely with the Product Design department at The Royal Mint, using their expertise to add nuance and subtle modelling to the concept and bring it alive in three dimensions.”

The coins were issued in the mint sets of the year (base metal in Brilliant Uncirculated and Proof grade, and Proof in precious metals).

No coins of this type were released into circulation.