The British decimal fifty pence coin (often shortened to 50p in writing and speech) is a denomination of sterling coinage worth 1 ⁄ 2 of one pound. Its obverse has featured the profile of the current British monarch since the coin's introduction in 1969.

The design on the reverse of the 50p coin features a symbol of Britannia that has appeared on our coinage since 1672. While this design may have been traditional, the shape of the new 50p coin, an equilateral curve heptagon, was revolutionary.

3 days ago · In October 1969 the 50p coin joined the circulation and the shape an equilateral curve heptagon, was revolutionary. This made it easily distinguishable from round coins both by feel and by sight. With the introduction of smaller 5p and 10p coins in 1990 and 1992, a smaller 50 pence coin was introduced on 1 September 1997.

Shape of a Revolution. Released ahead of decimalisation, the shape of the 50p heralded the revolution to come. In 1966 parliament decided that the nation’s ancient system of coinage would be consigned to the history books.

A replacement for the ten-shilling note, the 50p coin entered circulation in October 1969. Featuring Christopher Ironside’s Britannia on its reverse, while this design may have been traditional, the shape, an equilateral curve heptagon, was revolutionary.

The British fifty pence (50p) coin - often pronounced fifty pee - is a unit of currency equalling one half of a pound sterling. It is a seven-sided coin formed as an equilateral-curve heptagon, or Reuleaux polygon - a curve of constant width, meaning that …

The shape of a fifty pence piece (and indeed a twenty pence) is called an “equilateral curve heptagon”. This seven sided shape measures the same distance across the middle in any given direction. The original (1969-1996) 50p weighed 13.5 grams and had a diameter of 30 millimetres.

The 50p coin is in the shape of an Equilateral Curve Heptagon. It has seven sides but if you look carefully you can see that the sides of the shape are slightly curved, not flat like you might expect. This means the coin will roll which it would not do if the sides were flat. Britain was the first country in the world to use this shape for coins.

Aug 9, 2023 · One of the distinctive features of the fifty pence coin is its shape. Unlike other circular coins, the fifty pence coin has a unique heptagonal shape, which makes it easily distinguishable from other denominations.

Aug 2, 2024 · The shape is an equilateral-curve heptagon or a Reuleaux polygon. Most people would probably now describe those shapes as “50p shaped”. Tests proved that the coin worked in machines, could be rolled and so on, and it was accepted. It was released, with 50p on it but a pre-decimal value of 120d.