Fifty Pence 2025 Stories of the Second World War, 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UK Fifty Pence coin was issued in 1969 with the classic Britannia reverse design by Christopher Ironside, which was superseded in 2008 by the Matthew Dent design for circulation coins.The denomination is also extensively used to issue circulating commemorative coins.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 commemorates the end of the Second World War.

The mint says about it:
On 3 September 1939, Britain and France declared war on Nazi Germany following its invasion of Poland. The following year, Adolf Hitler’s formidable war machine swept through Western Europe, inflicting a humiliating defeat on the British and the French.

Refusing to capitulate to Nazi aggression, Britain vowed to fight on, bolstered by support from the Soviet Union and the United States when the former was attacked by Germany in 1941 and the latter by Japan in December of that year.

Led by Britain, the US and the Soviet Union, and with the support of the Free French, the Allies united against the Axis powers of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan. Ending in 1945, the Second World War was the bloodiest conflict in history.

The events of the Second World War shaped and influenced modern British society. From the servicemen who fought with extraordinary courage to the factory workers who worked tirelessly to produce munitions, all citizens of the United Kingdom and wider communities in both Britain and across its Empire and the Commonwealth contributed to the war effort.

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