Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 50 Pence 1985-1997, KM# 940.1, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II
  • 50 Pence 1985-1997, KM# 940.1, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II
Description

The British decimal fifty pence (50p) coin – often pronounced fifty pee – is a unit of currency equaling one half of a pound sterling. It is a seven-sided coin formed as an equilateral curve heptagon, a curve of constant width, meaning that the diameter is constant across any bisection.

Obverse

Third crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem.

The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewellery has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX means Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith.

From 1985 to 1991 the head of Queen Elizabeth II was a slightly smaller size. From 1993 to 1997 the head was a slightly larger size. The change over was made part way through 1992 so there are two versions in this year. 1997 has small varieties in design of the portrait.

Engraver: Raphael David Maklouf

ELIZABETH II D·G·REG·F·D·1985
RDM

Reverse

A seated Britannia alongside a lion, accompanied by the value above Britannia, with the numeral 50 underneath the seated figure.

Although the archetypical image of Britannia seated with a shield first appeared on Roman bronze coins of the 1st century AD struck under Hadrian, Britannia's first appearance on British coinage was on the farthing in 1672, though earlier pattern versions had appeared in 1665, followed by the halfpenny later the same year.

Engraver: Christopher Ironside

FIFTY PENCE
50

Edge

50 Pence

3rd portrait, Large Type
KM# 940.1 Sp# H4
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 13.5 g
Diameter 30 mm
Thickness 2.5 mm
Shape polygon
Sides 7
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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