Celebrating 50 years of the 50p – a design made to last

The 50p is instantly recognisable thanks to its unique shape and is a beautiful example of precision engineering. Tasked with creating a coin that could be easily distinguished by touch as well as sight, Hugh Conway and his team conceived an ‘equilateral curved heptagon’ that would really set it apart.
50 years since it was first introduced, the 50p remains a mainstay of British coinage, testament to the work of the engineers who designed it. As we continue our 50 years of the 50p celebrations, a special anniversary coin pays tribute to the science behind this radical design. Double the weight of a silver Proof coin, it’s a fitting way to mark this numismatic milestone.