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Two 1969 50 New Pence - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait - $10 (Frederick)
Jordan Valley Way
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50 New Pence - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait
Issuer: United Kingdom
Queen: Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Type: Standard circulation coins
Years: 1969 - 1981
Value: 50 Pence (0.50 GBP)
Currency: Pound sterling (decimalized, 1971-date)
Composition: Copper-nickel (75% Cu, 25% Ni)
Weight: 13.5 g
Diameter: 30 mm
Thickness: 2.45 mm
Shape: Equilateral curve heptagon (7-sided)
Technique: Milled
Orientation: Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized: 28 February 1998
Obverse
Second crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, legend around.
Script: Latin
Lettering: ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D·1969
Unabridged legend: Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensatrix
Translation: Elizabeth II by the Grace of God Queen Defender of the Faith
Designer: Arnold Machin
Reverse
A figure of Britannia seated beside a lion, with a shield resting against her right side, holding a trident in her right hand and an olive branch in her left, denomination below and legend above.
Script: Latin
Lettering: NEW PENCE 50
Designer: Christopher Ironside
Edge: Plain
This reverse design by Christopher Ironside, together with the Arnold Machin second portrait of Her Majesty on the obverse, was first issued in 1969 to replace the 10-shilling banknote as part of the decimalisation process.
Due to the vast quantity required for the decimal changeover and the fact that the Mint was moving from Tower Hill, London to Llantrisant, Wales the coins were minted at both mints, however no coins were minted at Llantrisant until 1973 with production having ended at Tower Hill.
In the years 1971, 1972, 1974 & 1975 the coin was only available in Annual Proof sets. There was not a strike issued in 1973 as a commemorative 50p was issued instead to celebrate the UK joining the European Economic Community. Finally, in 1982, 11 years after Decimalisation Day on 15th February 1971, the word 'NEW' was removed from the denomination on the reverse.
The design was re-issued with Ian Rank-Broadley fourth portrait obverse in 2009 with the original 'New Pence' legend as part of the 16-piece set to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 50 pence denomination. Again in 2019 the design was re-issued and featured Jody Clark's fifth obverse portrait and formed part of the 5-coin British Culture Set celebrating 50 years of the 50p.
Christopher Ironside designed all six new denominations for decimalisation for which he was awarded the OBE in 1971.