Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2022, Sp# H110, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, 100th Anniversary of the BBC
  • 50 Pence 2022, Sp# H110, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, 100th Anniversary of the BBC
  • 50 Pence 2022, Sp# H110, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, 100th Anniversary of the BBC, Box with a certificate of authenticity
Description

The Royal Mint has issued a 50p to honour the 100th Anniversary of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the BBC. It is the world's oldest national broadcaster. On October 18, 1922, a group of renowned wireless makers, one of which was Marconi, established what would later become known as the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), and on November 14, 1922, they began transmitting daily programming.

Broadcasting in the UK across a portfolio of television services and ten UK-wide radio networks, the BBC also has a portfolio of digital services that include BBC News, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. Through the BBC World Service, it also offers programming across the world in 42 languages giving it a unique profile as the world’s leading public service broadcaster. At its very peak, over 30 million people can tune into the BBC, with countless world events, the likes of Eurovision, Del Boy, Match of the Day, the country has been shaped by the BBC.

The coins were produced before the Queen's death in September, but the Royal Mint said it was not replacing it with the portrait of King Charles III to minimise waste or unnecessary environmental impact.

The Brilliant Uncirculated cupro-nickel coin versions are housed in a blister-pak type folder with informative text and illustrations. Both versions of the sterling silver Proof coins are presented in a custom black vinyl case, and the gold Proof coins are presented in a polished hardwood case. All are accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity.

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 a broadcasting mast emerging from the Earth, slightly tilted on its axis and with the inscription carried in radio waves "Inform, Educate, Entertain". These are the values of the BBC set out by Lord Reith when he founded the organisation in 1922.

John Charles Walsham Reith (1889–1971), was a Scottish broadcasting executive who established the tradition of independent public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom. In 1922, he was employed by the BBC (British Broadcasting Company Ltd.) as its general manager; in 1923 he became its managing director and in 1927 he was employed as the Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation created under a royal charter. His concept of broadcasting as a way of educating the masses marked for a long time the BBC and similar organisations around the world.

Engraver: Henry Gray

1922-2022
100 YEARS OF OUR BBC
INFORM EDUCATE ENTERTAIN
HDG

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 8 g
Diameter 27.3 mm
Thickness -
Shape polygon
Sides 7
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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