The 2021 50 Pence Coin - Charles BabbageCharles Babbage (1791-1871) is often thought of as the "father of the computer". He was an English polymath, being a mathematician, inventor, mechanical engineer, astronomer and philosopher.
Babbage successfully made a small mechanical calculating machine back in the 1820s which he called his Difference Engine. He wanted to build something that could do more complex mathematical operations (such as logarithms and astronomical calculations).
Babbage's idea for the Analytical Engine that would store data, perform multiple functions and could be programmed using punch cards was the blueprint for the modern digital computer. Babbage never actually got to build his machine, but modern research has shown that it would have worked.
Babbage achieved many other things and was a visionary, even suggesting that tidal power could replace coal. He certainly deserves his place in the Royal Mint's Innovation in Science collection.
The coins are released in BU, silver proof, silver Piedfort proof and gold proof. These coins are available (subject to stock) from the Royal Mint Shop (product code UK21CBSP).
The Reverse, by Nigel Tudman and Jas Bhamra, shows the word 'Babbage' with the ordinal number of the letter below it, cleverly suggesting the levers and cogs of the Difference Engine.
The Obverse shows a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark.Image credit: The Royal Mint
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Mintage: Not known
Silver Proof: 4,000
Silver Proof Piedfort: 1,510
Gold Proof: 260
Minted at The Royal Mint.
Remember 2021 ?
The Monarch is Queen Elizabeth II. Prime Minster is Boris Johnson. New (20 January) US President is Joe Biden (D-Delaware) and vice-president is Kamala Harris. The Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic still dominates World news and face masks are the norm. People and Businesses struggle after a long lockdown.
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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| Rare 50p Coins Olympic Beatrix Potter Kew Isle of Man WWF Snowman Fifty Pence £ 18.99 |
| 2021 50P - CHARLES BABBAGE FIFTY PENCE - BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED - BU - COIN PACK £ 27.99 |
| Rare & Collectable 50p Coin inc Snowman, Hawking, Gruffalo, Potter Fifty Pence £ 19.29 |
| 50p Change Checker Brilliant Uncirculated Fifty Pence Choice of Year and Coin £ 29.00 |
 | 2021 Charles Babbage 50p Coin Rare Fifty Pence Coin £ 20.50 |
 | 2021 Charles Babbage 50p Coin Rare Fifty Pence Coin £ 19.49 |
 | Rare 50p Coin Fifty Pence Brilliant Uncirculated BU Olympic Rabbit WWF EEC Card £ 28.80 |
 | 2021 Charles Babbage uk PIEDFORT 50 Pence Silver Proof Coin ,,Royal Mint, NEW , £ 189.00 |
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