Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2019, Sp# H61, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 160th Anniversary of Birth of Arthur Conan Doyle
  • 50 Pence 2019, Sp# H61, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 160th Anniversary of Birth of Arthur Conan Doyle
  • 50 Pence 2019, Sp# H61, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 160th Anniversary of Birth of Arthur Conan Doyle, Fold-out packaging
Description

Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was a British writer best known for his detective fiction featuring the character Sherlock Holmes. Originally a physician, in 1887 he published A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels about Holmes and Dr. Watson. In addition, Doyle wrote over fifty short stories featuring the famous detective. The Sherlock Holmes stories are generally considered milestones in the field of crime fiction.

Doyle was a prolific writer; his non-Sherlockian works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction and historical novels.

It is the first time Sherlock Holmes has been featured on a UK coin.

Obverse

The fifth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem and drop earrings.

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 jewelry 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.

Engraver: Jody Clark

ELIZABETH II·DEI·GRA·REG·FID·DEF 2019·
J.C

Reverse

Depicts a silhouette of Sherlock Holmes with his famous calabash pipe and deerstalker cap surrounded by the titles of the most popular Sherlock Holmes adventures.

Sherlock Holmes is a fictional private detective created by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "consulting detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with observation, forensic science, and logical reasoning that borders on the fantastic, which he employs when investigating cases for a wide variety of clients, including Scotland Yard.

First appearing in print in 1887's A Study in Scarlet, the character's popularity became widespread with the first series of short stories in The Strand Magazine, beginning with "A Scandal in Bohemia" in 1891; additional tales appeared from then until 1927, eventually totalling four novels and 56 short stories. All but one are set in the Victorian or Edwardian eras, between about 1880 and 1914. Most are narrated by the character of Holmes's friend and biographer Dr. Watson, who usually accompanies Holmes during his investigations and often shares quarters with him at the address of 221B Baker Street, London, where many of the stories begin.

Engraver: Stephen Raw

SHERLOCK HOLMES
The
Hound
of the
Baskervilles ♦
The Sign of
the Four ♦
A Study in
Scarlet ♦ The
Valley of Fear ♦
The Speckled
Band ♦ The Red-
Headed League ♦
A Scandal in
Bohemia ♦
Silver Blaze ♦
The Final
Problem ♦
The Blue
Carbuncle ♦
The Musgrave
Ritual ♦ The
Empty House ♦
The Dancing
Men ♦ The Six
Napoleons ♦
The Bruce-
Partington
Plans ♦ The
Man with the
Twisted Lip ♦ SR
50 PENCE

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

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