History in your hands

Trial by jury

This gold coin is the only official 2016 UK 50p coin commemorating the 950th anniversary of the 1066 Battle of Hastings, the date that made history. Featuring an original design by seasoned artist, John Bergdahl, the coins offered here belong to an exclusive batch – put before the jury at the Trial of the Pyx.

Every year a group of financial dignitaries convenes at Hall of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, London. Observing protocol unchanged by the passing centuries, they take delivery of wooden chests containing coins set aside for testing. The ceremonial Trial ensures that the coins made by The Royal Mint are of the correct weight, diameter and composition required by law.

For the first time ever, you can own a coin meticulously inspected by hand at this historic minting ceremony — presented complete with a brochure, a letter and a book about the Trial of the Pyx from The Goldsmiths’ Company, with a certificate of authenticity hand-signed by Graeme Smith, The Queen’s Assay Master.