The 1973 European Economic Community 50 Pence shows the second portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, with the reverse featuring a unique "Hands" design.

In 1973, a new design of fifty pence coin was issued to commemorate Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, as it was then called.

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.

Click here to view our EU Withdrawal 50p coins!

New 50p Coins

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.

European Economic Community

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.

Obverse

The Obverse of the 1973 European Economic Community 50 Pence features the second portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin.

Reverse

The 1973 European Community 50 Pence Coin shows a group of 9 hands unified, representing the concept of strength. 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.

Key Information

Product ID	9980
Stock Status	In Stock

Product Spec

Metal	Base Metal
Date	1973
Obverse Designer	Arnold Machin
Reverse Designer	David Wynne
Issuing Monarch	Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Mint/Brand	The Royal Mint
Country	United Kingdom

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1973 European Economic Community 50 Pence Ordinary Circulation