Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2015, Sp# H39, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
  • 50 Pence 2015, Sp# H39, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
Description

It is the first UK commemorative coin issued with three different obverses:
- Brilliant Uncirculated 50p featuring Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II (4th portrait) without denomination.
- 50p featuring Jody Clark's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II (5th portrait) with FIFTY PENCE denomination.
- Silver and Gold Proof 50p featuring Jody Clark's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II (5th portrait) without denomination.

The Battle of Britain was a military campaign of the Second World War, when the Royal Air Force (RAF) defended the United Kingdom against the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) attacks from the end of June 1940. It is described as the first major campaign fought entirely by air forces. The British officially recognise its duration as from 10 July until 31 October 1940, which overlaps with the period of large-scale night attacks known as the Blitz, while German historians do not accept this subdivision and regard it as a campaign lasting from July 1940 to June 1941.

The Battle of Britain takes its name from a speech by Winston Churchill to the House of Commons on 18 June: "What General Weygand has called The Battle of France is over. The battle of Britain is about to begin."

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·2015
IRB

Reverse

Airmen running to their planes with enemy aircraft overhead. Designer Gary Breeze's initials GB are located to the right of the plane on the right.

Gary Breeze has said that the inspiration behind the design was to remind people "of the selfless sacrifice of the Few. The airmen run away from us. They don't walk slowly to their fate, and we may never see them again.”

THE
BATTLE OF BRITAIN
GB
1940

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

Related coins

5th portrait, with denomination

75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Cupronickel, 8 g, ⌀ 27.3 mm
5th portrait, Silver Proof Coin, without denomination

75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Silver, 8 g, ⌀ 27.3 mm
5th portrait, Gold Proof Coin, without denomination

75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Gold, 15.5 g, ⌀ 27.3 mm