Fifty Pence 2021 Team GB, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

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UK Fifty Pence coin was issued in 1969 with the classic Britannia reverse design by Christopher Ironside, which was superseded in 2008 by the Matthew Dent design for circulation coins.The denomination is also extensively used to issue circulating commemorative coins.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

Just like the 2016 Team GB circulating commemorative 50 pence, this coin was issued to wish the Great Britain (GB) team success at the upcoming Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020.

The Olympics were planned for 2020, so there was a Team GB 50p coin issued in 2020, in the annual mint sets for the year. However, the Games were postponed to 2021 (while still remaining named the "2020 Olympics"), so the Royal Mint released a second Team GB 50 coin dated 2021 in June 2021, before the actual Games started.

These coins were issued in a number of collector formats. No coins of this type were released into circulation.