2016-02-17 Wed

Classic Britannia has become synonymous with Great Britain, now the United Kingdom of Britain, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Four years after the decimalization of the 50-penny coin, the first circulating commemorative 50-penny coin was released in 1973, marking Britain’s entry in the European Economic Community. Nearly 50 different designs of 50-penny coins have been issued with commemorative themes, post that.

Notable designs include the 1994 coin celebrating the 50th anniversary of D-Day, showing the Allied forces in the sea and sky. Commemorative 50-penny coins have been issued almost annually since 2003, and in 2006 for the first time included two coins in the same theme, the Victoria Cross’s 150th anniversary.

Other topics include 2007’s Scouting Movement Centennial and the 2009 Kew Gardens anniversary. The 50-penny coin that explained soccer’s offsides rule was another popular release. Several other issuers have presented seven-sided “imposters” to the 50-penny coins from the United Kingdom. Seven nations, all in the sphere of influence of the British Empire or close by, issued seven-sided 50-cent or equivalent coins.