- Circulation: 6,500,000
- Year issued: 2014
- Value circulated: 50p
- Value circulated in excellent condition: £2.00
- Value uncirculated: £8.00
- Composition: cupro-nickel
- Scarcity index: 3
The Commonwealth Games 50p was minted to celebrate the XX Commonwealth Games which were held in Glasgow in 2014. This event is held every 4 years and the coin is not only a nice collectible item to commemorate the event being held in the UK, but also popular with sports fans.
History of the coin
The 50p was one of the new coins which was minted and circulated when the country adopted decimalisation in 1971. A whole new coin set was designed and the process began in 1968 when the new 5p and 10p coins were produced. The 50p followed in 1969.
The new coin set all featured Britannia and this design remained until 2008. The 50p coin has also featured many designs which commemorate famous people in history or historic occasions.
Sporting occasions have been included in the commemorative designs so the 50p was used to honour the XX Commonwealth Games in 2014.
About the Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is a sporting event and members of the Commonwealth of Nations are eligible to take part. The first games took place in 1930 and the event is held every four years. Each games is hosted in a different city in the Commonwealth, so that all countries can have the opportunity to host.
The sports which take place cover a wide spectrum and include athletics, swimming, gymnastics, sailing, and cycling, as well as team sports such as rugby, basketball and hockey.
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 included almost 5,000 athletes from 71 countries, competing in 18 different sports. There were 261 medal events, including 5 para sports. England came top of the medal table, with Scotland taking 4th place.
How many Commonwealth Games 50p coins were made?
6,500,000 Commonwealth Games 50p coins were released in to circulation.
Design and Designer
- Front design:
The design has a cyclist and an athlete running. The St Andrews Cross is shown across the middle and the words ‘XX Commonwealth Games Glasgow’ are at the top.
- Obverse design:
Ian Rank-Broadley’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
- Designer: Alex Loudon / Dan Flashman
Alex Loudon and Dan Flashman represented the design company Tangerine.
The company was founded in 1989 and has since worked with many well known brands all over the World. Some of their customers include Sky, Unilever, Hyundai and Seiko.
Their design for the Commonwealth Games celebrated Scotland. The athletes on the coin were inspired by Chris Hoy and Graeme Obree and the font used was based on the writing of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The St Andrews Cross is depicted on the coin and the city, Glasgow, is also included.
Variations
In 2014, the Royal Mint circulated 6,500,000 Commonwealth Games 50p coins.
- 14,500 Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
- 260 Gold Proof coins were produced
- 2,500 Silver Proof coins were produced.
- 1,000 Silver Proof Piedfort coins were produced.
