Fifty Pence 2024 Harry Potter - The Black Lake, 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UK Fifty Pence coin was issued in 1969 with the classic Britannia reverse design by Christopher Ironside, which was superseded in 2008 by the Matthew Dent design for circulation coins.The denomination is also extensively used to issue circulating commemorative coins.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 part of a Royal Mint range celebrating the Harry Potter series of books, and features the moment from "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" in which the boy wizard swims in the foreboding waters of the Black Lake during the Triwizard Tournament.

In the book, the Triwizard Tournament is an ancient competition with a deadly reputation which takes place during Harry Potter’s fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As his second task, Harry has to dive into the Black Lake and rescue a captive held by magical underwater monsters.

The design of the coin is based on an illustration from the original book and not on the subsequent films, which has been remastered by Bella Biggs.

These 50 pence coins were struck in various collector formats but none were issued into general circulation.