1973 Fifty Pences

Obverse of the 1973 Fifty New Pence Coin

Hands Reverse Design as Used on 1973 Fifty New Pence

More About The European Union
The European Economic Community was founded in 1957 and has grown into the European Union of today.
The original members were Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxemburg and The Netherlands.
Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined in 1973, Greece in 1981, Portugal and Spain in 1986.
The former East Germany was admitted as part of re-unified Germany. Austria, Finland and Sweden became members in 1995.

A "Handy" Design
Britain was the ninth country to join the European Economic Community, and the reverse design chosen was intended to represent the concept of strength through unity, by showing hands joined in a circle. One hand is notably smaller than the other eight, and is believed to convey the fact that Britain was ruled by the Queen, hence the smaller, female, hand.

Ahead Of Its Time
When first introduced, like all the new decimal coins, the value of the fifty pences was designated as "new pence" rather than "pence", to help differentiate between old and new pence.
The "new" label continued until 1981, and from the 1982 issue, the word "new" was discontinued.
The only coin to have broken this convention was the 1973 fifty pence, the reverse inscription of which merely said "1973 FIFTY PENCE", having omitted the word "NEW" nine years before any other denomination.
Writing this in year 2000, I realise that I have never heard this fact commented on previously!

Versions
Apart from the ordinary uncirculated version, of which 89,775,000 were minted, there was a proof version of the 1973 fifty pence issued in a leatherette case, and also in the proof sets of that year.

Silver Piedfort Proof
There is also a rare silver proof piedfort version, which we describe on its own page.

Grades, Prices & Availability

Date	Design	Version	Metal	Mintage	Grade	Avail	Price £	Price $
1973	EEC Accession - Hands	Circ	Cupro-nickel	89,775,000	Unc	No	£4	$8
1973	EEC Accession - Hands	Proof in Box	Cupro-nickel	N/A	FDC	Yes	£4	$8

Notes on Table
Circ = Circulation Type
Avail = Availability

1973 Coin Sets

Order Form - UK
Order Form - USA
Order Form - EU
Order Form - Rest of World

If you want to find the value of a coin you own, please take a look at our page I've Found An Old Coin, What's It Worth?

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