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Royal Mint Continues to Celebrate 50 Years of the 50p with New Military Set

50 Pence - Fifty Pence - Royal Mint UK

  • 50p coins  from the Royal Mint depicting the anniversaries of the Battle of Britain, D-Day landings, Victoria Cross and Battle of Hastings all feature in special anniversary Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated set.
  • The launch of the collection follows the 50p culture set, unveiled in January this year.

To celebrate 50 years of the distinctive 50p, The Royal Mint has unveiled a special collection of commemorative military coins that will be struck to mark the anniversary of the revolutionary seven-sided coin, first introduced in 1969.

The Royal Mint has a long tradition of commemorating events from military history, and this coin set recalls some of the most epic battles from Britain’s past, the nation’s military achievements and the courage of those who served. The launch of this collection follows the popular 50p culture set which was unveiled in January this year.

Spanning almost one thousand years of history, the military set includes five 50p coins marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, 50 years since the D-Day Landings, the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings and 150 years since the Victoria Cross was introduced.

The 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain: For three months during 1940, RAF planes dueled with Goering’s Luftwaffe in the skies above Britain. Aided by the world’s best radar network, unrivaled Spitfire fighter planes, and squadrons supplemented by Eastern European airmen, Britain held out. Without aerial supremacy, Hitler was unable to launch Operation Sea Lion – his planned seaborne invasion. Handing Germany its first defeat would prove crucial in determining the outcome of the Second World War.

The 50th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings: To mark the 50th anniversary since the D-Day Landings, The Royal Mint released this design commemorating the largest amphibious assault in military history. Storming five Normandy beaches, Britain was able to gain a foothold on mainland Europe, a second front that would take the war to Germany. From the men who conceived it, to the unflinching bravery of those who took part, the legacy of D-Day lives on in the freedoms we enjoy today.

The 150th Anniversary of the Victoria Cross (Heroic Acts): Before the Crimean War only senior officers could be awarded medals for bravery. With war correspondents working in the field for the first time, a movement to recognize the valor of the common soldier gathered momentum. Since its inception in 1856, more than 1,300 Victoria Crosses have been awarded for outstanding acts of heroism, a testament to the extreme bravery of Armed Forces personnel who risk life and limb in defense of Britain’s interests.

The 950th Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings: This 50 pence piece was unveiled in 2016 to mark 950 years since one of the most infamous battles in British history. The death of Edward the Confessor plunged Britain into chaos as rival heirs came forward with their claim to the throne. Famously documented on the Bayeux Tapestry, Anglo-Saxon and Norman forces clashed at the Battle of Hastings, where an arrow to the eye sealed King Harold’s fate.

Nicola Howell, Director of the Consumer Business at The Royal Mint, commented: “The distinctive design of the 50p has become hugely popular since it was introduced in Britain 50 years ago. Over the years, it’s been fantastic to launch commemorative versions of this popular coin to mark significant cultural and historic events for the nation.

“Following the launch of the cultural commemorative 50p set earlier this year, we’re delighted to be revealing this special 50p military set to reflect on some of Britain’s most historic military achievements.”

The commemorative set will be available to purchase from www.royalmint.com in a range of precious metal, base proof, and brilliant uncirculated finishes, prices start from £45.

The Royal Mint
The Royal Minthttps://www.royalmint.com/
The Royal Mint has an unbroken history of minting British coinage dating back over 1,100 years. Based in the Tower of London for over 500 years, by 1812 the Mint had moved out of the Tower to premises on Tower Hill in London. In 1967, the building of a new Royal Mint began on its current site in South Wales, UK, to accommodate the minting of UK decimal coinage. Today, the Mint is the world’s largest export mint, supplying coins to the UK and overseas countries.

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