The Ten Rarest 50p Coins
Few coins have captured the public’s imagination quite like the humble 50p coin. Its instantly recognisable shape makes it the ideal coin for commemorative designs that celebrate Britain’s most iconic people, events and institutions. A select few of these superb coins have become some of the rarest 50p coins ever struck by The Royal Mint.
Displaying the traditional image of Britannia that represents the spirit of our nation, the 50p coin was introduced in 1969 as part of the new decimal coinage. Although its design was traditional, its shape – an equilateral curve heptagon – was revolutionary. The breadth of the coin made it practical for use in modern society, whilst its shape made it easily identifiable by sight and touch.
Due to the size and shape of this bold new coin, it was used to introduce commemorative designs into circulation. In 1973, The Royal Mint produced a special edition of the coin to celebrate the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).
To honour the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landings, a 1994-dated 50p coin featured a stunning design by John Mills that depicted the Allied forces moving towards Normandy. Since then, many stunning designs have excited the public and collectors, and the coin continues to be a popular choice for commemorative editions.
It is not only the original reverse designs of the 50p coin that make a number of issues significant but a select few also have incredibly low circulation numbers, making them extremely sought after.
