Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2022, Sp# H107, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 50th Anniversary of the First Pride UK
  • 50 Pence 2022, Sp# H107, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 50th Anniversary of the First Pride UK
  • 50 Pence 2022, Sp# H107, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 50th Anniversary of the First Pride UK, Fold-out packaging
Description

With a legacy that dates back to 1972, Pride UK has established itself as the premier event in the LGBTQ+ calendar. Synonymous with visibility, unity and equality, its annual parades are colourful celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community and are hugely popular nationwide.

The first official Pride UK event took place in London on 1 July 1972 with approximately 2,000 participants. As the very first Pride event held in the United Kingdom, Pride in London has a rich history that spans multiple decades and generations. Due to its location, it is also the biggest and one of the most diverse Pride events in the UK, attracting around 1.5 million attendees.

Today, there are more than 150 Pride events across the UK. Promoting solidarity, togetherness and inclusivity within a colourful, carnival-like atmosphere, these events have played a huge role in ushering in social equality and promoting acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community.

In honour of this truly revolutionary movement that helped change the course of history, the Royal Mint celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first Pride UK event with a UK 50p coin, marking the first time Britain’s LGBTQ+ community has been celebrated 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 jewellery 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·D·G·REG·F·D·50 PENCE·2022
J.C

Reverse

Depicts the iconic colourful rainbows, bearing the word “Pride” in the central rainbow. Highlighting London’s values of protest, visibility, unity, and equality, it also features the rainbow flag. On the bottom, is an arrow of the Progress Pride flag.

The rainbow flag is a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and queer pride and LGBT social movements. Also known as the gay pride flag or LGBT pride flag, the colors reflect the diversity of the LGBT community and the spectrum of human sexuality and gender. Originally devised by artist Gilbert Baker, the design has undergone several revisions since its debut in 1978. Baker's first rainbow flag had eight colors, though the most common variant consists of six stripes: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.

The Progress Pride flag was developed in 2018 by non-binary American artist and designer Daniel Quasar (who uses xe/xyr pronouns). Based on the iconic rainbow flag from 1978, the redesign celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ community and calls for a more inclusive society (marginalized people of color, trans people, and those living with HIV/AIDS and those who have been lost).

Engraver: Dominique Holmes

50
PROTEST UNITY
PRIDE
VISIBILITY EQUALITY
DH

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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