The 1973 50 Pence Coin - Accession to EECThis 50p coin was released to mark the Accession to European Economic Community. SCBC: H2.
Proofs were issued. There was also a thicker silver proof, often called a Piedfort but actually not quite twice the size; these were given to members of the EEC but you sometimes can find them for sale.
Reverse, by David Wynne, shows a circle of nine hands, symbolizing the EEC countries. In the centre is the date, 1973, and the words 50 PENCE.
The Obverse shows a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin.
Image credit: The Royal Mint
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Mintage: 89,775,000 (may include coins in sets)
Minted at The Royal Mint.
Remember 1973 ?
The UK, Ireland and Denmark join the European Economic Community. VAT introduced. Roger Moore becomes James Bond.
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
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
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| Commemorative Proof 50 Pence Accession To The EEC Hands 1973 UNC in Box £ 9.50 |
| 1973 ACCESSION TO THE EEC PROOF 50 PENCE IN CASE OF ISSUE. Superb condition £ 8.00 |
| Commemorative Proof 50 Pence Accession To The EEC Hands 1973 UNC in Box £ 14.99 |
| 1973 ACCESSION TO THE EEC PROOF 50 PENCE IN CASE OF ISSUE £ 8.99 |
 | 1973 Old Large 50p Fifty Pence Accession to The EEC 9 Hands Design EEC 50P £ 2.50 |
 | 1973 The Royal Mint Clasped Hands UK's accession to the EEC Fifty Pence 50p coin £ 4.49 |
 | Commemorative 50 Pence Accession To The EEC Hands 1973 UNC in Box £ 14.50 |
 | 1973 Clasped Hands UK's accession to the EEC Clasped Hands Fifty Pence 50p coin £ 11.69 |
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