2016 Fifty Pence

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Eight 50p designs have been issued in 2016. A commemorative to mark 950 years since the Battle of Hastings, the standard coin with the shield design, five coins to mark the 150th Birthday of Beatrix Potter (the BEATRIX POTTER coin, Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Squirrel Nutkin and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle). A commemorative to mark the 2016 Olympic games in Rio has also been released.

Obverse Type 6 (bust design by (Mr) Jody Clark):

50pobv

Reverse Type 4 (design by Matthew Dent):

50p2008dentrev

Mintage for Circulation: None for circulation this is a ‘sets only’ coin.

Collectability/Scarcity: 5 (for scale details see here)

The story behind the design:

The obverse portrait of the Queen by Mr Jody Clark was introduced in March 2015 and was used on all Queen Elizabeth II circulating coinage up to her death in 2022. It is the fifth portrait of the Queen used on coinage.

The reverse design, by Matthew Dent shows the bottom part of the shield of the Royal Coat of Arms.

 

Commemorative 50p coin, Type 50: (info on coin type numbers here)

Obverse Type (bust design by (Mr) Jody Clark):

50p2016o

Reverse Type (design by John Bergdahl):

50p2016r

Mintage for Circulation: 6,700,000.

Collectability/Scarcity: 1 (for scale details see here)

The story behind the design:

The Battle of Hastings was one of the decisive English battles, fought by William (the Conqueror) against King Harold II, following a succession crisis for the English throne.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hastings

Commemorative 50p coin, Type 51: (info on coin type numbers here)

Obverse Type (bust design by (Mr) Jody Clark):

Reverse Type (design by Emma Noble):

50pbeatrix1rev

Mintage for Circulation: 6,900,000.

Collectability/Scarcity: 1 (for scale details see here)

The story behind the design:

Beatrix Potter is one of the best loved English children’s book authors, born 150 years ago this year (2016). Possibly best known for the Peter Rabbit books, she was born in London. A total of 5 Beatrix Potter coins are due to be released in 2016.

http://www.peterrabbit.com/

Commemorative 50p coin, Type 52: (info on coin type numbers here)

Obverse Type (bust design by (Mr) Jody Clark):

Reverse Type (design by Emma Noble):

50p2016potterpeterrevagproofalt

(The second reverse image shows the coloured silver proof version)

Mintage for Circulation: 9,600,000.

Collectability/Scarcity: 1 (for scale details see here)

Note that some of these coins (a lot of sightings, so assumed quite common) appear to have an extra/bungled whisker on the right side of the coin (the Rabbit’s left side). This appears to be die damage (a crack). Technically it’s not really a big deal, but on the internet things sometimes get blown out of all proportion, so expect to see them on eBay as ‘RARE’ with silly asking prices! See also question and response dated 31/7/2016 on the Coin Type Numbering page.

The story behind the design:

Beatrix Potter related, the 2nd of 5 coins. A version with coloured Peter Rabbit motif was sold as a silver proof only coin and this version has proved to be the most popular Royal Mint issue of recent years. Inevitably, some home made coloured-in coins of vastly varying quality have been appearing on eBay in an attempt to cash-in on the demand!

 

Commemorative 50p coin, Type 53: (info on coin type numbers here)

Obverse Type (bust design by (Mr) Jody Clark):

Reverse Type (design by Emma Noble):

50p2016potterjemimarevagproofalt

(The second reverse image shows the coloured silver proof version)

Mintage for Circulation: 2,100,000.

Collectability/Scarcity: 3 – a popular coin despite normal/high mintage (for scale details see here)

The story behind the design:

Beatrix Potter related, the 3rd of 5 coins. Tabloid click-bait type hype is resulting in higher prices for these at the moment, due to the fact that it’s the 2016 Beatrix Potter coin with the lowest mintage. Despite the fact that 2.1m of them really is plenty to go round. A version with coloured Jemima Puddle-Duck motif was sold as a silver proof only coin.

 

Commemorative 50p coin, Type 54: (info on coin type numbers here)

Obverse Type (bust design by (Mr) Jody Clark):

Reverse Type (design by Emma Noble):

50p2016pottersqiurrelrevagproof

(The second reverse image shows the coloured silver proof version)

Mintage for Circulation: 5,000,000 at least.

Collectability/Scarcity: 1 (for scale details see here)

The story behind the design:

Beatrix Potter related, the 4th of 5 coins. A version with coloured Squirrel Nutkin motif was sold as a silver proof only coin.

 

Commemorative 50p coin, Type 55: (info on coin type numbers here)

Obverse Type (bust design by (Mr) Jody Clark):

Reverse Type (design by Emma Noble):

50p2016pottertiggyrevagproof

(The second reverse image shows the coloured silver proof version)

Mintage for Circulation: 8,800,000.

Collectability/Scarcity: 1 (for scale details see here)

The story behind the design:

Beatrix Potter related, the 5th of 5 coins. A version with coloured Mrs Tiggy-Winkle motif was sold as a silver proof only coin.

 

Commemorative 50p coin, Type 56: (info on coin type numbers here)

Obverse Type (bust design by (Mr) Jody Clark):

Reverse Type (design by Tim Sharp):

50p2016teamgbrev

Mintage for Circulation: 6,400,000.

Collectability/Scarcity: 1 (for scale details see here)

The story behind the design:

To mark the 2016 Olympics in Rio and more specifically to support Team GB’s efforts the Royal Mint have produced this commemorative 50p.

https://www.teamgb.com/

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