Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 50 Pence 1973, KM# 918, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Entry into European Economic Community
  • 50 Pence 1973, KM# 918, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Entry into European Economic Community
Description

The Accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community took effect on 1 January 1973, after the ratification of the treaty which was signed in Brussels on 22 January 1972 by the then Prime Minister Edward Heath who had pursued the UK's application to the EEC since the late 1950s. The UK had first applied to join back in 1961 but this was vetoed by French President Charles de Gaulle.

Obverse

Second 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: Arnold Machin

D∙G∙REG∙F∙D∙ ELIZABETH II

Reverse

The inscription "50 PENCE" and the date of the year, surrounded by nine hands, symbolising the nine members of the Community, clasping one another in a mutual gesture of trust, assistance and friendship.

Engraver: David Wynne

1973
50
PENCE

Edge

50 Pence

2nd portrait

Entry into European Economic Community

KM# 918 Sp# H2
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Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 13.5 g
Diameter 30 mm
Thickness 2.3 mm
Shape polygon
Sides 7
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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