- Circulation: unconfirmed
- Year issued: 2019
- Value circulated: 50p
- Value circulated in excellent condition: £3.50
- Value uncirculated: £9.00
- Composition: cupro-nickel
- Scarcity index: unknown
One of the newest 50p coins is the Sherlock Holmes coin. Minted in 2019, it commemorates the 160th anniversary of the birth of his creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The number in circulation is not yet known so this is a great coin to add to any collection.
History of the coin
The Royal Mint needed to replace all the UK’s coins when decimalisation was introduced in 1971. One of the earlier coins produced was the 50p coin. Created to replace the 10 shilling note, it kept its original shape but a smaller coin was minted in 1997.
The Sherlock Holmes 50p commemorates the 160th anniversary of the birth of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He originally studied medicine, graduating in 1881 and then started writing and his most famous creation, the detective, Sherlock Holmes.
About Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is possibly one of the most famous fictional detectives in the World. He first appeared in 1887 in ‘A Study in Scarlet’, and went on to feature in 56 short stories and 4 novels.
He lived at 221B Baker Street, which is now a Sherlock Holmes museum and was helped in his investigations by Dr John Watson. Sherlock Holmes also had a brother, Mycroft and his archenemy was Professor Moriarty.
He uses his logic and intellect to solve murders, leaving many wondering just how he solved them.
Sherlock Holmes has been portrayed many times on film and TV and according to Guinness World Records he is the most portrayed movie character of all time. He has more recently been portrayed on TV by Benedict Cumberbatch.
There are Sherlock Holmes societies around the World, including Australia and Japan.
How Many Sherlock Holmes 50p Coins Were Made?
The Sherlock Holmes 50p was minted in 2019, and as yet the number of coins in circulation has not been confirmed.
Design and Designer
- Front design:
The design shows an image of Sherlock Holmes wearing his famous deerstalker hat and smoking his clay pipe. His name is at the top and down both sides are the titles of some of his most famous stories.
Obverse design:
The reverse is the 5th portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark.
- Designer: Stephen Raw
The designer of the Sherlock Holmes 50p is Stephen Raw.
Stephen has lectured on Art and Design, and spent 2 years teaching at the National Arts School in Papua New Guinea. He has been the Artist-in-Residence at Manchester Cathedral since 2017.
Stephen has had a varied career and has exhibited his work as well as creating designs for publishers and architects. Among his works are the Royal Ballet stone and the PG Wodehouse memorial stone, both in Westminster Abbey.
His first coin for the Royal Mint was the £2 commemorating the Centenary of the WW1 Armistice.
Variations
Circulated Sherlock Holmes 50p coins are currently being released. There are also 4 other versions available:
- Brilliant Uncirculated
- Silver proof Piedfort
- Silver Proof
- Gold Proof
