In 1992 - 1993 to celebrate the United Kingdom's Presidency of the Council of Ministers during the second half of 1992 and the completion of the single European Market, which comes into effect on 1st January 1993, the Royal Mint is issuing a Limited quantity of Piedfort 50p Fifty Pence Silver Proof Coins struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
Collectors will recall the commemorative 50p pieces of 1973 issued to mark Britain's entry into the Economic Community. It is particularly appropriate, therefore, that in 1992 the 50p should be chosen to bear the historic design symbolising the special bond between the twelve member countries of the European Community.
The beautifully worked design by sculptor Mary Milner Dickens features a conference table seen from above, around which are arranged twelve chairs for the Council of Ministers. The United Kingdom is prominently represented at the head of the table, with the table itself showing twelve stars, symbols of the European Community, placed in the geographic positions of the capital cities of the twelve member countries. A network of lines uniting the stars signifies the links of trade and commerce within the Community. The obverse bears the elegant portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Raphael Maklouf.
These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.
Piedforts are coins which have been specially struck on thicker than normal blanks. As their name suggests they are closely associated with France, where from the twelfth century they were apparently issued by the Kings as presentation pieces. In Britain the practise of striking piedforts is later and less frequent, but medieval and Tudor examples are known.
Limited Mintage 3,808 Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
Struck to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
