The 50th Anniversary of the D-Day LandingsĪ design representing the Allied invasion force heading for Normandy and filling the sea and sky, together with the value 50 PENCE.

The United Kingdom's Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Completion of the European Single MarketĪ representation of a table on which are placed twelve stars, linked by a network of lines to each other and also to twelve chairs around the table, on one of which appear the letters UK, and with the dates 19 above and the value 50 PENCE below. The inscription 50 PENCE and the date of the year, surrounded by nine hands, symbolising the nine members of the Community, clasping one another in a mutual gesture of trust, assistance and friendship. The United Kingdom's Accession to the European Economic Community Smaller version introduced September 1997 (Larger version introduced October 1969, demonetised in 1998)Ī figure of Britannia, seated beside a lion, with a shield resting against her right side, holding a trident in her right hand and an olive branch in her left hand, with the figure 50 below and the inscription NEW PENCE above.Ī figure of Britannia, seated beside a lion, with a shield resting against her right side, holding a trident in her right hand and an olive branch in her left hand, with the figure 50 below and the inscription FIFTY PENCE above.Ī section of the Royal Arms, showing elements of the third and fourth quarterings.

The results revealed a requirement for a smaller 50p coin, which was duly introduced on 1 September 1997. In October 1994, the Government announced a further review of the United Kingdom coinage. With the introduction of smaller 5p and 10p coins in 19 respectively, 50p coins became the largest in circulation.

This made it easily distinguishable from round coins both by feel and by sight, while its constant breadth allowed it to roll into vending machines. While this design may have been traditional, the shape of the new 50p coin, an equilateral curve heptagon, was revolutionary. The design on the reverse of the 50p coin features a symbol of Britannia that has appeared on our coinage since 1672. In October 1969, 50p coins joined the 5p (shilling) and 10p (florin) coins in circulation, leaving only the three copper coins - to be introduced on 15 February 1971 - to complete the new series of decimal coins.

New 10p coin collection royal mint