Fifty Pence 2023 Star Wars - Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, 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UK Fifty Pence coin was issued in 1969 with the classic Britannia reverse design by Christopher Ironside, which was superseded in 2008 by the Matthew Dent design for circulation coins.The denomination is also extensively used to issue circulating commemorative coins.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).

This 50p commemorative coin is the second of four releases in a Royal Mint series celebrating one of the most popular movie franchises of all time - Star Wars, and specifically - the 40th anniversary of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, the third installment of the saga. This design features the characters Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine.

The mint says:
"It has been almost half a century since the world got its first glimpse of the Star Wars universe with the release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977. Now, for the first time, the iconic characters of the original Star Wars trilogy will feature on official UK coins as part of a brand-new, four-coin collection dedicated to some of the most legendary partnerships from the series."

No coins of this kind were issued into general circulation.