1970 50 Pence – Elizabeth II


The 1970 50 Pence - Elizabeth II

The 7-sided fifty pence coin, definitive reverse featuring Britannia, the design was used 1968-1982. These are the larger (30mm) 50p coins. SCBC: H1.

The Reverse shows Britannia seated next to a lion, holding a trident and olive branch. The design was by Christopher Ironside. As was the practice at decimalisation, the words NEW PENCE appeared on the coin so there would be no confusion with the existing penny value (which was 240 pennies to one pound, opposed to 100 new pence to one pound after decimalisation).

Edge is plain.

The Obverse shows a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin. Legend is "ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 1970" (Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God Queen, Defender of the Faith).

Image credit: The Royal Mint


Mintage: Not known
Minted at The Royal Mint.
Remember 1970 ?
The Monarch is Elizabeth II. In the June election, Edward Heath (Conservative) replaces Harold Wilson (Labour). US President is Richard M. Nixon. The First Jumbo jet (Boeing 747) landed at Heathrow airport. Voting age lowered from 21 to 18. Golfer Tony Jacklin won the US Open and Jack Nicklaus won the Open. The half-crown ceased to be legal tender, so did the 10 shillings note. Nijinsky won the triple crown of horse racing (Epsom Derby, 2,000 Guineas and St Leger). It's the end of The Beatles.
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning British Monarch ever, reigning for over 70 years. Born on 21 April 1926 to King George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, she became Queen in 1952 and her Coronation was on 2 June 1953. She died on 8 September 2022. Some coins were released dated 2023.

Queen Elizabeth II issued many coins and was monarch during decimalisation. She married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in 1947 and had four children. Her eldest son succeeded the throne as King Charles III. House of Windsor.
Category: 50 Pence Coins

The British Fifty Pence (50p) coin was introduced in October 1969 as part of the decimalisation of the British currency. It replaced the 10 shilling note, both being equivalent to half of one pound (£0.50). It is colloquially called the '50 pee'. The coin has 7 sides (heptagonal) but has rounded corners on each apex so that the coin will roll and work in vending machines.

Originally, the coin has a diameter of 30mm and weighed 13.5g, but in 1997 this was replaced with a smaller version of diameter 27.3mm and weight of 8g. The thickness was kept at 1.78mm. The coin is made of Cupro-Nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel). The larger version was demonitised (i.e. ceased to be legal tender) in 1998.

There are four versions of the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II:

  • 1969-1984 - Designer: Arnold Machin
  • 1985-1997 - Designer: Raphael Maklouf
  • 1998-2015 - Designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS
  • 2015-2022 - Designer: Jody Clark
The reverse has shown a large variety of important UK milestones or people, and in doing so has made the coin very popular with collectors. Besides the coins intended for circulation, the Royal Mint have issued silver (normal and Piedfort), platinum and gold proof versions of the 50 pence piece.

There are also 29 different variants which were minted in 2011 in celebration of the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Which Mint: The Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is the designated place for the UK to mint coins. It dates back well over 1000 years and is a Government-owned company. 

Formed in the reign of Alfred the Great about the year 886, during the period 1279-1812 it was generally referred to as The Tower Mint as it was housed at the Tower of London. The Master of The Royal Mint has included famous figures such as Sir Isaac Newton.

Since 2010 it has operated as Royal Mint Ltd, a company owned by HM Treasury, under an exclusive contract to supply all coinage for the UK although it also produces medals and coins for other countries. It is currently located at Llantrisant, Wales.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) is the Union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is often refered to as Great Britain (GBR). It has a long, rich history.

The orignal coinage was Pounds, Shillings and Pence but since decimalisation on 15 February 1971, it is £1 = 100p, that is One Pound = 100 pence. The coinage of the UK is also a long history, the Royal Mint being established as long ago as 886AD when coins were hammered. Today there is perhaps 30 billion coins in circulation, and many (numismatic) collectors coins and sets are issued frequently in gold, silver and other metals.
If you don't see a coin in the list below try the 50 Pence Coins page on eBay UK
As an eBay Partner, We may be compensated if you make a purchase.

List items on:

1970 Ireland Woodcock 50p Coin
1970 Ireland Woodcock 50p Coin
£ 7.00
1970 50p MS64 NGC Great Britain Britannia Uncirculated Large Fifty Pence
1970 50p MS64 NGC Great Britain Britannia Uncirculated Large Fifty Pence
£ 168.00
1970 50p MS64 NGC Great Britain Britannia Uncirculated Large Fifty Pence
1970 50p MS64 NGC Great Britain Britannia Uncirculated Large Fifty Pence
£ 188.00
British Coin Hunt Collectors Albums £5 £2 50p 10p Pre Decimal Silver Copper [C]
British Coin Hunt Collectors Albums £5 £2 50p 10p Pre Decimal Silver Copper [C]
£ 19.95
50P COINS CIRCULATED/UNCIRCULATED ROYAL MINT BRITISH COIN HUNT - VARIOUS
50P COINS CIRCULATED/UNCIRCULATED ROYAL MINT BRITISH COIN HUNT - VARIOUS
£ 4.95
IRISH FIFTY PENCE COINS 50p circulated various years 1970-1996
IRISH FIFTY PENCE COINS 50p circulated various years 1970-1996
£ 2.50
1970 50p Britain Britannia Almost NGC AU58 Uncirculated Large Fifty Pence
1970 50p Britain Britannia Almost NGC AU58 Uncirculated Large Fifty Pence
£ 68.00
1970 50p MS63 NGC Great Britain Britannia Uncirculated Large Fifty Pence
1970 50p MS63 NGC Great Britain Britannia Uncirculated Large Fifty Pence
£ 128.00

List items on: