Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 50 Pence 1998-2009, KM# 996, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, National Health Service (NHS), 50th Anniversary
  • 50 Pence 1998-2009, KM# 996, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, National Health Service (NHS), 50th Anniversary
Description

The National Health Service (NHS) is the name of the public health services of England, Scotland and Wales, and is commonly used to refer to those of Northern Ireland. They were established together as one of the major social reforms following the Second World War (5 July 1948) on the founding principles of being comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery. Today, each provides a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom.

The coin was re-issued in 2009 as part of the 16-piece set to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 50 pence denomination. The 2009 issue was also struck in silver proof, gold proof and gold piedfort.

Obverse

Fourth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara.

The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara was a wedding present in 1947 from her grandmother, Queen Mary, who received it as a gift from the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland in 1893 on the occasion of her marriage to the Duke of York, later George V. Made by E. Wolfe & Co., it was purchased from Garrard & Co. by a committee organised by Lady Eve Greville. In 1914, Mary adapted the tiara to take 13 diamonds in place of the large oriental pearls surmounting the tiara. At first, Elizabeth wore the tiara without its base and pearls but the base was reattached in 1969. The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara is one of Elizabeth's most recognisable pieces of jewellery due to its widespread use on British banknotes and coinage.

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

Engraver: Ian Rank-Broadley

ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·1998
IRB

Reverse

A pair of hands set against a pattern of radiating lines with the words "FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY" and the value "50 PENCE", accompanied by the initials "NHS" which appear five times on the outer border.

Engraver: David Cornell

NHS NHS NHS NHS NHS
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
50 PENCE
DC

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 8 g
Diameter 27.3 mm
Thickness 1.78 mm
Shape polygon
Sides 7
Alignment Medal
Alt # Sp# H26
Mint
Royal Mint

Related coins

75th Anniversary

National Health Service (NHS)

Cupronickel, 8 g, ⌀ 27.3 mm
Silver Proof Coin, 75th Anniversary

National Health Service (NHS)

Silver, 8 g, ⌀ 27.3 mm
Silver Proof Piedfort Coin, 75th Anniversary

National Health Service (NHS)

Silver, 16 g, ⌀ 27.3 mm