- Circulation: 3,400,000
- Year issued: 2011
- Value circulated: 50p
- Value circulated in excellent condition: £2.50
- Value uncirculated: £10.00
- Composition: cupro-nickel
- Scarcity index: 18
The WWF 50p was issued in 2011 to mark 50 years of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature. Founded in 1961, this is one of the largest environmental organisations in the World and this lovely coin is not only popular with coin collectors but with both animal and nature lovers as well.
History of the coin
Decimalisation was introduced in the UK in 1971 so the existing coinage had to be completely redesigned and in 1968 the Royal Mint began minting these new coins.
The old system of pounds, shillings and pence was changed to a simpler system of 100 pennies to 1 pound. The 5p, 10p and 50p coins were the first new coins minted, with 5p replacing the shilling and the 50p replacing the 10 shilling note.
The new 50p had a 7 sided shape and has been used as a commemorative coin for many years. The WWF 50p is just one of these commemorative 50p coins.
About WWF
The WWF, or World Wildlife Fund for Nature, was founded in 1961 with the help of Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld of the Netherlands.
Their work has centred around environmental issues and animal welfare all over the World. They actively protect endangered ecosystems and animal species, and more recently have become involved in carbon emissions.
It is the largest organisation in the World devoted to the environment and is has over 5 million supporters worldwide.
How many WWF coins were made?
3,400,000 WWF 50p coins were circulated and it is one of the scarcer coins for collectors.
Design and Designer
- Front design:
The WWF 50p has a lot in its design. It features 50 symbols representing the work of the WWF, including animals such as a rhino, dolphin and elephant, and a car and tree to represent environmental issues. In the centre of the coin is the Panda logo of the WWF with their initials, and the year appears at the bottom.
- Obverse design:
Ian Rank-Broadley’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II appears on the obverse.
- Designer: Matthew Dent
The designer of the WWF 50p is Matthew Dent, who is a partner at the award winning graphic design agency Bison Bison.
The agency has worked with clients such as HSBC, Coca-Cola and London City Airport. They have also won awards for their work, including the D&AD Black and Yellow Pencil awards and the Cannes Media Bronze Lion.
Matthew was also involved in creating a new reverse design for the coins in circulation in 2005. The new design is the one we now use and when placed together, the coins make up the shield of the Royal Coat of Arms.
As well as the WWF 50p, he also designed the 2012 £2 commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens.
Variations
In 2011 the Royal Mint circulated 3,400,000 WWF 50p coins.
- Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
- 1,500 Gold Proof and Gold Proof Piedfort coins were produced
- 40,000 Silver Proof coins were produced.
- 1,500 Silver Proof Piedfort coins were produced.
