2004 Gold Proof 50p Coin – Four-minute mile


The 2004 Gold Proof 50p Coin - Four-minute mile

2004 was the 50th Anniversary of the famous race leading to the first four-minute mile by Roger Bannister, one of sports greatest breakthroughs. The image is the legs of a running athlete with a stylised stopwatch in the background. SCBC: H13

These coins are available (subject to stock) from the Royal Mint Shop. (product code: HIS50GRB).

Reverse designed by James Butler.

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

Available as BU, Proof, Silver Proof, Silver Proof Piedfort and Gold Proof.

Image credit: The Royal Mint


Mintage: 644 (may include coins in sets)
Minted at The Royal Mint.
Remember 2004 ?
Elizabeth II was in her 52nd year as Queen. George W Bush is U.S. President. Rover Spirit and Opportunity land on Mars. Olympic Games are in Athens, Greece.
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.
Gold Fifty Pence Pieces were first issued by the Royal Mint in 1992 and have grown in popularity over the years. Most commemorative 50p pieces are now released as silver proof and gold proof to complement the circulation coins.

The Gold 50p is 22 carat and weighs 15.5g. The diameter is 27.3mm. The coins usually have a very limited edition mintage.

The 7-Sided 50p Coin

The circulation British Fifty Pence (50p) currency 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.

All coins have an obverse featuring the portrait Queen Elizabeth II. There are three versions:
  • 1969-1984 - Designer: Arnold Machin
  • 1985-1997 - Designer: Raphael Maklouf
  • 1998-2015 - Designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS
  • 2015 to date - 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 (Proof and Proof Piedfort), Platinum and Gold proof versions of the 50 pence piece.
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 Gold Fifty Pence page on eBay UK
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List items on:

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2021 Proof 50p Gold Coin 50th Anniversary of Decimal Day Boxed
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2009 Royal Mint Kew Gardens 50p fifty pence Gold Proof Coin
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2005 Gold Proof 50p First English Dictionary Graded NGC PF70 ULTRA CAMEO
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