50 New Pence - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait

Features

Location	United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies)
Issuing entity	The Royal Mint
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
Number	N# 880
References	KM# 913, Tracy L. Schmidt (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins / 2001-Date (14^th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States. And 5 more volumes. Sp# H1 Emma Howard (editor); 2021. Standard Catalogue of British Coins : Coins of England & the United Kingdom Pre-Decimal Issues (56^th edition). Spink & Son, London, United Kingdom. And 2 more volumes.

Obverse

Second crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, legend around.

Script: Latin

Lettering: ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D·1969

Unabridged legend: Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensatrix

Translation: Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God Queen Defender of the Faith

Designer: Arnold Machin

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

Mint

Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom (1968-date)

Comments

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.

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Date	Mintage	G	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC	Frequency
Undetermined
1969	188 400 000	$ 0.62	$ 0.62	$ 0.62	$ 0.71	$ 1.00	$ 1.30	$ 1.80	60%
1970	19 461 000	$ 0.59	$ 0.62	$ 0.62	$ 0.62	$ 0.62	$ 0.78	$ 2.10	13%
1971	350 000							$ 4.10	3%	Proof
1972	150 000							$ 6.60	2%	Proof
1974	100 000							$ 6.10	1.9%	Proof
1975	100 000							$ 5.80	1.9%	Proof
1976	43 747 000	$ 0.58	$ 0.73	$ 0.73	$ 0.73	$ 1.00	$ 1.10	$ 2.60	15%
1976	100 000							$ 4.40	1.6%	Proof
1977	49 536 000	$ 0.22	$ 0.61	$ 0.61	$ 0.68	$ 1.00	$ 1.40	$ 3.00	20%
1977	193 000							$ 4.60	2%	Proof
1978	72 005 000	$ 0.52	$ 0.52	$ 0.57	$ 0.72	$ 0.86	$ 2.10	$ 11	22%
1978	86 100							$ 3.10	1.5%	Proof
1979	58 680 000		$ 0.22	$ 0.70	$ 0.70	$ 0.79	$ 0.88	$ 2.50	19%
1979	81 000							$ 2.90	1.3%	Proof
1980	89 086 000	$ 0.58	$ 0.58	$ 0.58	$ 0.59	$ 0.69	$ 0.69	$ 2.10	23%
1980	143 000							$ 3.10	2%	Proof
1981	74 003 000	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.70	$ 1.00	$ 1.40	$ 5.80	19%
1981	100 300							$ 3.10	1.9%	Proof

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Past sales

Pictures	Sale	Date	Version	Grade	Price
	Heritage Auctions 2020 January 21 NYINC World & Ancient Coins Signature Online Auction 3082 Lot 34190	Jan 21, 2020	1978	UNC (PCGS MS64)	USD 180.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
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