© manxcat12
© manxcat12
50 New Pence - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait
| Copper-nickel (75% Cu, 25% Ni) | 13.5 g | 30 mm |
| Issuer | United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1969-1981 |
| Value | 50 Pence (0.50 GBP) |
| Currency | Pound sterling (decimalized, 1971-date) |
| Composition | Copper-nickel (75% Cu, 25% Ni) |
| Weight | 13.5 g |
| Diameter | 30 mm |
| Thickness | 2.45 mm |
| Shape | Equilateral curve heptagon (7-sided) |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | 28 February 1998 |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#880 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 3% |
Reverse
A 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, denomination below and legend above.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
NEW PENCE
50
Designer: Christopher Ironside
Edge
Plain
Comment
This reverse design by Christopher Ironside, together with the Arnold Machin second portrait of Her Majesty on the obverse, was first issued in 1969 to replace the 10-shilling banknote as part of the decimalisation process. In the years 1971, 1972, 1974 & 1975 the coin was only available in Annual Proof sets. There was not a strike issued in 1973 as a commemorative 50p was issued instead to celebrate the UK joining the European Economic Community. Finally, in 1982, 11 years after Decimalisation Day on 15th February 1971, the word 'NEW' was removed from the denomination on the reverse.The design was re-issued with Ian Rank-Broadley fourth portrait obverse in 2009 with the original 'New Pence' legend as part of the 16-piece set to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 50 pence denomination. Again in 2019 the design was re-issued and featured Jody Clark's fifth obverse portrait and formed part of the 5-coin British Culture Set celebrating 50 years of the 50p.
Christopher Ironside designed all six new denominations for decimalisation for which he was awarded the OBE in 1971.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 50 New Pence coin with Elizabeth II's second portrait (1969-1981) is that it was the first coin to feature the new decimal currency system introduced in the UK in 1971. The coin was initially introduced with the old penny symbol (d) but was later changed to the new pence symbol (p) in 1981. This change was made to avoid confusion with the old penny coin, which was still in circulation at the time.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 188400000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1970 | 19461000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1971 | 350000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1972 | 150000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1974 | 100000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1975 | 100000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1976 | 100000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1977 | 193000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1978 | 86100 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1979 | 81000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1980 | 143000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1981 | 100300 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 50 New Pence - Elizabeth II (2nd portrait) 1969-1981 coin.
