Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 50 Pence 1998-2009, KM# 992, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 25th Anniversary of United Kingdom's EU Membership
  • 50 Pence 1998-2009, KM# 992, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 25th Anniversary of United Kingdom's EU Membership
Description

The United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community in 1973 was marked by the issue of a commemorative fifty pence coin. Since then the fifty pence has become the 'European' coin, chosen again in 1992/93 to mark two further historic European Union events; the United Kingdom's Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the completion of the Single European Market. This 1998 coin commemorates 25 years of the United Kingdom's membership and its six-month Presidency of the European Union.

The 2009 Proof strike was issued in sets to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 50 pence denomination.

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 celebratory arrangement of twelve stars representing the 12 members of the EU with the letters "EU" between the anniversary dates, and the value below.

Engraver: John Mills

1973 EU 1998
50 PENCE
JM

Edge
Shop now (1 offer)
$6
Swap now (1 offer)
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# H25
Mint
Royal Mint

Related coins

2nd portrait, Entry into European Economic Community

Cupronickel, 13.5 g, ⌀ 30 mm
2nd portrait

Cupronickel, 13.5 g, ⌀ 30 mm
3rd portrait, Large Type

Cupronickel, 13.5 g, ⌀ 30 mm