1998 50 Pence Coin – NHS


1998 was the 50th Anniversary of the National Health Service.

The reverse, designed by David Cornell, shows a pair of hands set against a pattern of radiating lines with the words 'FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY' .

Obverse is the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley.


Mintage: 5,001,000 (may include coins in sets)
Minted at The Royal Mint.
Remember 1998 ?
Monarch is Elizabeth II. Prime Minister is Tony Blair (Labour). US President is Bill Clinton. UK takes over the Presidency of the EC's Council of Ministers. Eurovision Song Contest held at NIA in Birmingham; Danijela wins for Croatia. DVD's appear in the UK, selling 6,000 in first six months. Omagh bombing kills 29. U.S. Spacecraft Finds Water on Moon. On 15 June the bi-metallic two pound coin goes into circulation (coins are dated 1997).
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:

50p Coins UK Rare Fifty Pences Circulated Beatrix Potter Olympics WWF NHS
50p Coins UK Rare Fifty Pences Circulated Beatrix Potter Olympics WWF NHS
£ 5.85
1998 50P - NHS FIFTY PENCE - BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED - BU - COIN PACK
1998 50P - NHS FIFTY PENCE - BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED - BU - COIN PACK
£ 29.99
1998 NHS 50 PENCE SILVER PROOF - boxed/coa
1998 NHS 50 PENCE SILVER PROOF - boxed/coa
£ 27.95
50p COINS FIFTY PENCE,OLYMPICS,BEATRIX POTTER,COMMEMORATIVE,KEW COIN
50p COINS FIFTY PENCE,OLYMPICS,BEATRIX POTTER,COMMEMORATIVE,KEW COIN
£ 5.99
Royal Mint 1998 NHS 50th Anniversary Silver Proof Fifty Pence Coin Boxed CoA
Royal Mint 1998 NHS 50th Anniversary Silver Proof Fifty Pence Coin Boxed CoA
£ 30.00
NHS 50th ANNIVERSARY - 1998 Commemorative fifty pence 50p coin Circulated (C60)
NHS 50th ANNIVERSARY - 1998 Commemorative fifty pence 50p coin Circulated (C60)
£ 2.59
VERY RARE NHS 50th anniversary fifty pence 50p coin
VERY RARE NHS 50th anniversary fifty pence 50p coin
£ 1,500.00
Rare 50p Coins Olympic Beatrix Potter Kew Isle of Man WWF Snowman Fifty Pence
Rare 50p Coins Olympic Beatrix Potter Kew Isle of Man WWF Snowman Fifty Pence
£ 4.99

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