2000 50 Pence Coin – Public Libraries

2000 50 pence Public Libraries

The 2000 50 Pence Coin - Public Libraries

2000 was the 150th Anniversary of the Public Libraries Act 1850.

The reverse, designed by Mary Milner Dickens, shows the turning pages of a book and the Anniversary dates '1850' and '2000'.

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

Image Credit: M J Hughes Coins.


Mintage: 11,263,000 (may include coins in sets)
Minted at The Royal Mint.
Remember 2000 ?
Into the New Century. Fears of the Y2K computer problem pass without problem. Monarch is Queen Elizabeth II, in her 48th year as Queen. Prime Minister is Tony Blair (Labour). Bill Clinton is U.S. President but George W Bush has narrowly won the election to be next President. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother celebrates her 100th birthday. The Olymic Games are in Sydney, Australia. In Russia, Vladimir Putin is the new President.
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:

2000 150 Years Public Libraries Silver Proof 50p Fifty Pence Coin Boxed & COA
2000 150 Years Public Libraries Silver Proof 50p Fifty Pence Coin Boxed & COA
£ 24.95
2000 The Royal Mint Public Library UK BU Uncirculated Fifty Pence 50p coin Pack
2000 The Royal Mint Public Library UK BU Uncirculated Fifty Pence 50p coin Pack
£ 44.99
50 Pence Coin Elizabeth II Fifty Pence 50p Great British Presentation Mint Pack
50 Pence Coin Elizabeth II Fifty Pence 50p Great British Presentation Mint Pack
£ 49.99
50p COINS FIFTY PENCE,OLYMPICS,BEATRIX POTTER,COMMEMORATIVE,KEW COIN
50p COINS FIFTY PENCE,OLYMPICS,BEATRIX POTTER,COMMEMORATIVE,KEW COIN
£ 3.78
Public Libraries 1850-2000 50p Fifty Pence Coin 2000
Public Libraries 1850-2000 50p Fifty Pence Coin 2000
£ 1.99
2000 Public Libraries 1850-2000 library 50p Fifty Pence Coin Circulated
2000 Public Libraries 1850-2000 library 50p Fifty Pence Coin Circulated
£ 1.59
50p Coin Fifty Pence Commemorative Brilliant Uncirculated BUNC Choose Your Coins
50p Coin Fifty Pence Commemorative Brilliant Uncirculated BUNC Choose Your Coins
£ 9.85
2000 Elizabeth II Public Libraries 50 Pence Coin
2000 Elizabeth II Public Libraries 50 Pence Coin
£ 8.75

List items on: