Have you ever wondered how many 50p coins are in circulation? How much are they worth and where can you find them? These questions might seem like a mystery but the answer is actually quite simple. In this blog post, we’ll explore how many 50p coins there are and what makes them so special. We’ll also look at their history and design, as well as their current value in the market. Finally, we’ll discuss where to find these coins and if it’s still possible to collect them today. So keep reading to find out more!
The Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is a world-renowned institution which has a rich history dating back over 1,000 years. It is responsible for producing the United Kingdom’s circulating coins and is also one of the largest gold bullion producers in the world. The Mint employs over 900 people and has an annual turnover of more than £300 million.
So how many p coins are there? As of March 2020, there were approximately 6.7 billion 1p coins in circulation. That means that if you lined up all of the 1p coins, they would stretch from the Earth to the Moon and back again almost 10 times!
There are several benefits of having a 1p coin.
Firstly, it helps to keep prices stable by reducing the need for fractional pennies.
Secondly, it can help businesses to round down prices to the nearest 5 or 10 pence, which makes life easier for customers.
Finally, it helps to promote numeracy skills as children learn to count and use money from an early age.
How Many 50p Coins are There?
As of June 2017, there are an estimated 3.04 billion 50p coins in circulation. This is based on the number of 50p coins minted between 1968 and 2016, which is approximately 6.5 billion. The mintage figures for 2017 are not yet available.
The 50p coin was first introduced in 1969 to replace the 10-shilling note. It has since become one of the most collectable and recognisable coins in circulation today. Its distinctive shape and design, featuring a seated Britannia, have been much admired over the years.
So why are there so many 50p coins around? The answer lies in their popularity amongst collectors and their perceived worth as a precious metals. They’re also easy to recognise – making them great for trading or exchanging with friends and family.
The Design of the 50p Coin
The 50p coin was designed by the Royal Mint in 1969. The original design was a portrait of Britannia, but this was changed to a more abstract design in 2008. The current 50p coin is made of cupronickel, which is a mix of copper and nickel.
The obverse side of the 50p coin features a portrait of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, while the reverse side has an abstract design featuring three interlocking shapes.
The design has been compared to a jigsaw puzzle, with each piece representing one of the three countries in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland and Wales). Additionally, on either side of the three pieces are symbols for Northern Ireland and London.
What is the Purpose of the 50p Coin?
The 50p coin is the highest-denomination coin in circulation in the United Kingdom. It is also the largest and heaviest coin currently in use in the UK.
The 50p coin was introduced on October 14, 1969, when the British pound sterling was decimalised and has remained in use since then. Its obverse has featured the profile of Queen Elizabeth II since its introduction.
Three different reverse designs have been used on the 50p coin, each representing a different aspect of British life or history: a seated Britannia figure (1969–2008), the image of the Olympic Games logo (2009) and a design commemorating Sir Isaac Newton (2017).
The purpose of the 50p coin is to provide a convenient way for people to store and carry large amounts of money without having to use banknotes. The 50p coin is legal tender for amounts up to £10.
Circulated 50p Coins
There are 50p coins in circulation. The Royal Mint produces these coins for the UK government. The 50p coin is legal tender in the UK and can be used to pay for goods and services. These coins are made of cupro-nickel, an alloy of copper and nickel. The obverse (front) of the coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse (back) features a design by Matthew Dent.
The 50p coin was first introduced in 1969 and has undergone several redesigns since then. The current version was introduced in 2008. According to the Royal Mint, over 1.5 billion 50p coins were in circulation as of March 2014. This makes the 50p coin one of the most widely circulated coins in the UK.
Britannia 50p 1969-2008
The Britannia 50p coin was first introduced in 1969, and was in circulation until 2008. There were a total of four different designs of the Britannia 50p coin, each with a different obverse design. The first three designs (the “Type I”, “Type II” and “Type III” designs) all featured the same portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, while the fourth and final design (the “Type IV” design) featured a new portrait of the Queen which was introduced in 1998.
The total mintage for all four Britannia 50p coins was 382,550,000. The most common Britannia 50p coin is the Type III coin, with a mintage of 210,700,000. The least common Britannia 50p coin is the Type I coin, with a mintage of just 3,410,000.
All four Britannia 50p coins are legal tender in the United Kingdom, and have a face value of fifty pence.
Royal Shield 50p 2008-Today
There are currently six different 50p coins in circulation in the UK, all of which feature the royal shield. The first 50p coin was introduced in 2008, and featured a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse (heads) side and the royal shield on the reverse (tails) side. In 2009, a new design was introduced which featured four quarters of the royal shield on the reverse.
This design was used until 2012, when it was replaced with a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark. The most recent 50p coin was introduced in 2015, and features a design by Matthew Dent which depicts a section of the royal shield on the reverse.
EC Presidency 50p 1992-1993
There are 50p coins for each year of the EC Presidency, from 1992 to 1993. Each coin features a different design, with the same reverse side. The obverse side of the coin features the country’s Coat of Arms, and the reverse side features a map of Europe.
D-Day Landings 50p 1994
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the Royal Mint released a special 50p coin in 1994. This coin features an image of soldiers landing on the beach, with the words “D-Day Landings 50p” inscribed around the edge. This coin is one of a series of special commemorative coins issued by the Royal Mint, and is sure to be popular with collectors.
European Union 50p 1998
There are 50p coins in circulation in the United Kingdom, and each one has a different design. The European Union 50p coin was introduced in 1998 and is one of the most recent additions to the 50p coin series.
This coin commemorates the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Union. The obverse side of this coin features a map of Europe, while the reverse side bears the denomination “50 PENCE” within a wreath.
NHS 50th Anniversary 50p 1998
The NHS 50th Anniversary 50p was released in 1998, and there were 2,013,000 of them minted. The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse features the logo of the NHS.
The NHS 50th anniversary 50p coin was released in 1998 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Health Service. The coin features the NHS logo on the obverse and a design by David Cornell depicting two children and a nurse on the reverse. The coin was minted by the Royal Mint and has a mintage of 10,000,000.
Public Libraries Act 50p 2000
The Public Libraries Act 50p coin was introduced in 2000 as part of a series of coins celebrating the Millennium. The 50p coin features a design by Matthew Dent which represents the historic connection between the United Kingdom and its library service. The coin is currently worth 50 pence and has a diameter of 30 mm.
Suffragettes 50p 2003
In 2003, the Royal Mint released a special 50p coin to commemorate the centenary of women’s suffrage in the UK. The coin was designed by Shirley Barber and depicts a young woman and an older woman holding banners with the words “Votes for Women”.
This coin is significant not only because it celebrates an important milestone in British history, but also because it is one of the first coins to feature a female subject.
Roger Bannister 50p 2004
On 6 May 2004, the Royal Mint released a special 50p coin to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Roger Bannister’s historic achievement of becoming the first person to run a mile in under four minutes. The coin was designed by Stephen Potts and had a limited mintage of 3,500,000 pieces. It is composed of cupronickel and weighs 8 grams.
Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary 50p 2005
In 2005, the Royal Mint released a commemorative 50p coin to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the publication of Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary. The coin, designed by Matthew Dent, features an image of Johnson and his famous dictionary on the obverse, with the words “SAMUEL JOHNSON’S DICTIONARY 1755-2005” inscribed on the reverse.
Victoria Cross 50p coins 2006
In 2006, the Royal Mint released a series of 50p coins to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest military decoration. The coins were minted in both silver and gold, and featured a design by sculptor John Mills. The silver coins were released into circulation, while the gold coins were available for purchase directly from the Royal Mint.
As of 2019, there are four different designs in the Victoria Cross 50p coin series:
1. The first coin features a portrait of Queen Victoria on the obverse (front), with the words “Victoria Cross” and “1856-2006” inscribed around the edge. On the reverse (back) is a depiction of St George slaying a dragon, surrounded by the words “For Valour”.
2. The second coin has a different reverse design, featuring an image of a lion standing atop a shield, with the words “Victoria Cross” and “1856-2006” again inscribed around the edge.
3. The third coin depicts two crossed swords on the reverse, with the date “1914-1918” above them to commemorate the First World War. Again, Queen Victoria’s portrait appears on the obverse.
4. The fourth and final coin in the series was released in 2018 to mark 100 years since the end of World War One. It features an updated portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, and a new reverse design depicting two soldiers shaking hands
Scouting Movement 50p 2007
The Scouting Movement 50p coin was released in 2007 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Scouting movement. The coin features a Scout uniform on the front and a map of the world on the back. There are 50 million of these coins in circulation.
Kew Gardens 50p 2009
The Kew Gardens 50p is a special edition coin minted in 2009 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Only 210,000 of these coins were made, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after 50p coins in circulation. Its rarity and unique design – which features a detailed engraving of the Kew Gardens Pagoda – make it a popular choice for collectors and investors alike.
Girlguiding 50p 2010
In 2010, the Royal Mint released a special 50p coin to celebrate the centenary of Girlguiding. The coin features the Trefoil logo on the front, and an image of three girls taking part in a camping activity on the back. According to the Royal Mint, over 8 million of these coins were minted and released into circulation.
WWF 50p Coin 2011
The WWF 50p coin was released in 2011 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the World Wildlife Fund. The coin features a panda on one side and the WWF logo on the other. There are two different versions of the coin, one with a gold center and one with a silver center.
Other coins in the series include the London 2012 Olympic Games 50p coin, the Commonwealth Games 50p coin, and the British Red Cross 150th Anniversary 50p coin.
London 2012 50p 29 coin Collection 2011
The 50p coin was first introduced in 1969 and was intended as a replacement for the 10-shilling note. The 50p coin is legal tender for amounts up to £10.
The obverse of the coin features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse design changes each year to commemorate different anniversaries or events.
The 2012 London Olympic Games were commemorated with a special 50p coin collection, which featured 29 different designs representing each sport that was contested at the games.
Christopher Ironside 50p 2013
The Christopher Ironside 50p coin was released in 2013. It is the only 50p coin in circulation that does not have a portrait of the Queen on it. The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Christopher Ironside, an English engraver and designer. The reverse of the coin depicts a seated Britannia figure.
Benjamin Britten 50p 2013
The 50p coin commemorates the life of Benjamin Britten, a British composer who was born in 1913. The coin was first minted in 2013, and there are two different designs. One features a portrait of Britten, while the other features his most famous composition, “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.”
Glasgow Commonwealth Games 50p 2014
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games 50p coin was released in 2014 to commemorate the XX Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, Scotland. The coin features the game’s logo on the obverse and a design representing athletes in action on the reverse. A total of 3 million coins were minted for circulation, with a further 1 million produced for inclusion in collector products.
Battle of Britain 50p 2015
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, a special 50p coin was released in 2015. The coin features an image of a Spitfire aircraft and the words “The Few” to remember the brave pilots who fought in the battle. Over 1.5 million of these coins were minted, making it one of the most common 50p coins in circulation.
Team GB 50p 2016
As the nation gear up to celebrate the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, The Royal Mint have released a special commemorative 50p coin. The coin, which was designed by Dave Sedgwick, features the iconic five rings of the Olympic Games on one side, and on the other side is a design that celebrates British athletes past and present.
The release of the Team GB 50p coin coincides with the release of a set of ten special edition £2 coins, which also feature designs celebrating different aspects of the Olympic Games.
With a limited mintage of just 7 million pieces, the Team GB 50p is sure to be a popular collector’s item – so if you’re lucky enough to spot one in your change, be sure to hold onto it!
Battle of Hastings 50p 2016
The Battle of Hastings 50p is a commemorative coin minted by the Royal Mint in 2016. It was released to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, which took place on October 14, 1066.
The obverse (front) of the coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse (back) depicts the Norman army defeating the Anglo-Saxons at the Battle of Hastings.
The coin was designed by artist John Bergdahl and is part of a series of five commemorative 50p coins released by the Royal Mint between 2016 and 2020. The other coins in the series include:
· The Great Fire of London 50p (2016)
· The centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele 50p (2017)
· The Armistice 100th anniversary 50p (2018)
· The 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage 50p (2019)
· The 125th anniversary of Sherlock Holmes 50p (2020)
Beatrix Potter 50p 13 coin Collection 2016-2018
The 2016-2018 Beatrix Potter 50p coin collection features 13 unique designs, each celebrating a different character from the much-loved children’s books. The collection includes:
– Peter Rabbit
– Benjamin Bunny
– Two Bad Mice
– Mrs Tiggy-Winkle
– Mr Jeremy Fisher
– Tom Kitten
– Jemima Puddle-Duck
– Squirrel Nutkin
– Miss Moppet
– Apple & Blackberry Pie
This popular coin series is sure to be a hit with Beatrix Potter fans and collectors alike!
Sir Isaac Newton 50p 2017
There are 50p coins from a number of different years, but the most recent one is the Sir Isaac Newton 50p coin from 2017. This coin commemorates the life and work of one of the most influential scientists of all time – Sir Isaac Newton. The obverse (front) of the coin features a portrait of Newton, while the reverse (back) shows an image of his famous reflecting telescope.
Representation of the People Act 50p 2018
The Representation of the People Act 50p coin was introduced in 2018 to mark the centenary of the act that granted women the right to vote in the UK. The coin features a female figure symbolising justice and equality, with the date “1918” on the reverse.
Paddington Collection 2018/2019
There are a total of eleven Paddington coins in the 2018/2019 collection. The first five coins were released in June 2018 and the remaining six coins were released in November 2018. The Paddington coin series celebrates the much-loved character created by British writer Michael Bond.
The eleven Paddington coins can be divided into two groups: the five 2018 releases and the six 2019 releases. Each group has its own unique design, with the 2018 coins featuring Paddington at different locations around London and the 2019 coins featuring Paddington at different landmarks around the world.
The obverse (heads side) of each coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse (tails side) features a different image of the Paddington Bear. The five 2018 coins have a denomination of 50p, while the six 2019 coins have a denomination of £2.
The Paddington Collection 2018/2019 is a must-have for any fan of this classic children’s book character.
Sherlock Holmes 50p 2019
Since its inception in 2009, the Royal Mint has released a number of different 50p coins into circulation. One of the most popular designs is the Sherlock Holmes 50p coin, which was released in 2019. This coin commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first publication of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. The obverse (front) of the coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse (back) depicts an image of Sherlock Holmes in profile.
Brexit 50p 2020
As the United Kingdom prepares to leave the European Union, a new 50p coin has been released commemorating the event. The Brexit 50p coin is 2020’s version of the “penny black” – a reference to the world’s first postage stamp.
The reverse of the coin features a design by John Bergdahl which includes the phrase “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” along with the dates “31 January 2020” and “1 February 2020”. The obverse of the coin features the fifth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark.
This coin is sure to be popular with collectors and those interested in British history. It is also a reminder that even though the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union, it remains committed to peace and prosperity for all nations.
Un-Circulated 50p Coins
If you’re a collector of 50p coins, then you’ll want to know about the different types of un-circulated 50p coins. The first type is the Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) coin. These are the highest quality 50p coins and they are usually only available from coin dealers.
The second type is the Uncirculated (UNC) coin. These are also high-quality 50p coins, but they may have slight imperfections such as scratches or nicks. UNC coins are usually available from banks or post offices.
Finally, there are Circulated (CIRC) coins. These are the most common type of 50p coin and can be found in your change. Circulated coins will show signs of wear and tear, but this doesn’t affect their value.
The Snowman 50p Collection 2018/2019
There are 50p coins for every year from 1969 to 2019, with a special design for each year. The most recent 50p coin is the Snowman 50p, which was released in 2018 and 2019. This coin is part of a special collection of 50p coins that were released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film The Snowman.
Stephen Hawking 50p 2019
There are 50p coins minted in 2019 with Stephen Hawking on the reverse. These were released to commemorate his life and work.
The Gruffalo 50p Collection 2019
There are 50 different designs in the Gruffalo 50p collection, each featuring a different character from the popular children’s book. The coins are available in both circulated and uncirculated condition, and they’re perfect for avid collectors or anyone who loves the Gruffalo.
Wallace & Gromit 50p 2019
Wallace & Gromit 50p 2019 – Just how many different 50p coins are there?
With so many different 50p coins in circulation, it can be hard to keep track of them all! The Wallace & Gromit 50p coin is a great example of a popular coin that is sure to be highly sought after by collectors.
Released in 2019, this coin celebrates the much-loved animated characters Wallace and Gromit. The design on the coin features the two characters surrounded by a host of gadgets and gizmos, with the words ‘WALLACE & GROMIT’ above them.
This coin is sure to be popular with both young and old collectors alike, so if you spot one in your change make sure to hang onto it!
50 Years of the Fifty Pence 50p 2019
The fifty pence 50p coin was first introduced in October 1969, replacing the ten-shilling note. The fifty pence coin is legal tender for amounts up to £10. When paying in cash, change is given in whole pounds. However, some shops and businesses may choose to round up or down to the nearest five pence when giving change.
Peter Rabbit 50p 2019
In 2019, the Royal Mint released a 50p coin featuring Peter Rabbit. The coin was released to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter, the author of the Peter Rabbit books. This was the first time that a fictional character had been featured on a British coin.
Team GB 50p 2020
There are a total of 50p coins in existence, with the most recent being the Team GB 50p coin minted in 2020. This coin commemorates the British team’s performance in the 2020 Summer Olympics, which was held in Tokyo, Japan.
Of the 50p coins minted, 35 million of them were released into circulation. The other 15 million were kept as part of a special presentation set.
Peter Rabbit 50p 2020
In 2020, the 50p coin celebrates the much-loved children’s book character, Peter Rabbit™. The original story of Peter Rabbit was written by Beatrix Potter and first published in 1902. The book has been enjoyed by generations of children and is still popular today. The 50p coin shows an image of Peter Rabbit on the front and the year 2020’ on the reverse.
Dinosaur 50p Collection 2020
The Dinosaur 50p collection 2020 is a set of 12 coins, each representing a different prehistoric creature. The designs are based on skeletal remains and are engraved in great detail. The collection was released on the 1st of October 2020 and is available to purchase from the Royal Mint website.
Rosalind Franklin 50p 2020
The Royal Mint will be releasing a new 50p coin in 2020 to commemorate the life and work of British scientist Rosalind Franklin. The coin was available in both circulating and collector versions, with the latter being minted in .925 silver. This release follows on from the successful 2017 50p coin commemorating another British scientist, Alan Turing.
Franklin was a leading figure in the field of DNA research, and her work was instrumental in the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. The new 50p coin will feature a portrait of Franklin, as well as a representation of her famous X-ray diffraction image of DNA. It is hoped that the release of this coin will help to raise awareness of Franklin’s significant contribution to science.
Peter Pan 50p Collection 2020
The Peter Pan 50p collection was released in 2020 and contains 50p coins with various designs inspired by the classic story. The collection includes 10 different designs, each featuring a different character or scene from the story. The coins are all struck in cupro-nickel and have a mintage of 5 million each.
Conclusion
The Royal Mint has issued a wide variety of 50p coins since its inception in 1969, and the number is continually growing. From Beatrix Potter to Sir Isaac Newton and Sir Winston Churchill, there are now over 200 different designs available.
The scarcity of some specific designs makes them highly collectable, but it’s worth remembering that all 50p coins have equal spending power when you’re out shopping or at the bank.
So if you’re looking to add some extra special coins to your collection or just want to stock up on pocket money for the kids, why not take a look at what’s out there?
