Important British and World Coins

Elizabeth II (1952-, Trial Fifty Pence, uncertain series, on a circular cupro-nickel flan, Tower Mint logo, rev. numerical mark of value, edge plain, 24mm, 7.01g/12h. Virtually as struck, of the highest rarity and the only specimen known to the vendor (£100-150)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Joanna Tansley Collection of Patterns, Proofs and Coining Trials.

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Collection

Provenance:
DNW Auction 27, 1 October 1996, lot 559 (part).

Although this piece resembles the style of the 1963 series trials, the weight bears no relation to any of the pieces in it. The vendor is of the opinion that it may owe its existence to the fact that the shape of the 50p coin was the subject of considerable debate. In the appendix to the government report, Decimal Currency in the United Kingdom (HMSO, 1966), the suggested size for the 50p was circular and 30mm; perhaps the piece dates to that time