Issue dates:
Old style large 50p – 1969, 1970, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985
Current style 50p – 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Quantity minted: 805,926,100
Approximate values:
Circulated average condition:
50p (£1.00 for 1985 coin)
Circulated excellent condition:
50p (£3.00 for 1985 coin)
Uncirculated:
£1.00 (£10.00 for 1985 coin)
Category: 50p Coins List A-Z
- Description
- Discussion(19)
Description
Front Design:
Figure of Britannia seated beside a lion, by Christopher Ironside.
Obverse Design(s):
Queen Elizabeth II portrait by Raphael Maklouf.
.
More about the Britannia 50p
The figure of Britannia seated beside a lion is the most common 50p design in circulation andfirst appeared in 1672 on a British coin during the reign of Charles II.Long before then there were Roman coins showing the word ‘BRITANNIA’ and the helmeted female representation of Britannia to celebrate the Roman capture of Britain.
Both the old larger type 50p and the new smaller 50p were made dated 1997 (when the coin size changed), however the larger version was only made for year sets. The smaller version was the only one that was circulated in large numbers.
Britannia was always present on at least one coin denomination until 2008, when the decision was made to remove her from the 50 pence piece. This was met with hostility by Daily Mail readers and objection by dozens of MPs who launched a ‘Save Britannia’ campaign at the time.
Despite the objections, the Britannia 50p design was replaced by the new Royal Shield in 2008 as the standard 50p design, and none have been issued since.
The Rarest Britannia 50p Coin
Only 682,103 Britania’s were produced for circulation in 1985, making it the third rarest 50p ever, and the second rarest larger (old style) 50p. These figures are only trumped by the 1992 EEC Single Market and the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p coins.
Mintage by Year (large 50p)
1969–188,400,000
1970–19,461,500
1976–43,746,500
1977–49,536,000
1978–72,005,500
1979–58,680,000
1980–89,086,000
1981–74,002,000
1982–51,312,000
1983–62,824,904
1985–682,103
Mintage by Year (current 50p)
1997–456,364,100
1998 –64,306,500
1999 –24,905,000
2000 –27,915,500
2001 –84,998,500
2002 –23,907,500
2003 –23,583,000
2004 –35,315,500
2005 –25,363,500
2006 –24,567,000
2007 –11,200,000
2008 –3,500,000
Leave a comment
Guest
william mainwaring
6 years 1 month ago
please show the opposite side of the 1998 50p coin. ie the queens head
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
william mainwaring
6 years 1 month ago
I have a 1998 50p coin. the queens head has a crown over her hair that is showing through, also her face is a lot fuller
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Support
Geoff Wolfe
6 years 1 month ago
It should be this one William… https://fiftypence.co.uk/raphael-maklouf-portrait/
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Francois Claassen
5 years 9 months ago
I have 14 – 1997
01 – 1999
01 – 2000
02 – 2004
01 – 2007
Like to know what they worth.
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Mark
5 years 8 months ago
Whats a 1977 50p worth
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Darren
5 years 4 months ago
Hi i have a old 1977 50p can anyone tell me how much its worth thanks
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Ida
4 years 8 months ago
Hi i have a old 1997 50p can anyone tell me how much its worth thanks
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Martin
4 years 5 months ago
I have the full set of these Britannia 50p coins in circulated condition + the new 2019 with the security icon on it in Bu condition. How much would you think the set is worth?
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Winser
4 years 21 days ago
Hi! I have a 50p coin with the same image but it’s from 1969 and instead of “fifty” I have “new” written on it
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Terence Reeves
3 years 11 months ago
I too have a 50p dug up recently which states “New Pence” on the back with 50 at the bottom under a line? Its 1969 0n the frount in the usual position
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Stacy
3 years 9 months ago
I have a 50p that weight is 14/15 grams it is very thick and heavy and is bigger than a normal 50p
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Grzesio
3 years 9 months ago
hello I have a coin of 50 pence from 1997 with a strange deformation 2 corners are rounded, is there anyone who could look at it and evaluate how is this option ???
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Chester King
3 years 3 months ago
I have this coin in 1997 but I don’t know the value of it
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Daniel tagen
3 years 2 hours ago
I have the Britannia 1998 50p and I don’t know how much it is worth? can someone tell me pls
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Support
Geoff Wolfe
3 years 48 minutes ago
Approximate values are shown towards the top of the page. Circulated value is 50p on that year, uncirculated is £1.
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Valentina
2 years 11 months ago
I have 3 , 50p coins from 1997 with shield of Britania.. anyone interested?
And i have a rare coin of 50p with ‘THE TAILOR OF GLOUCESTER’ 2018.. PERFECT CONDITION
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Martynas Alisuaskas
1 year 5 months ago
i have it
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Sarah
1 year 3 months ago
Hi I have a 1997 50p coin but it’s not silver ?
∧ | ∨ Reply -
Guest
Guest
11 months 27 days ago
I have a fifty P coin 1997 it seems very thin is it a fake
∧ | ∨ Reply -
More fifty pence coins
- NHS 50p
- Peter Rabbit 2018 50p
- Sir Isaac Newton 50p
- Benjamin Britten 50p