The 1998 Piedfort 50p Fifty Pence Silver Proof Coin struck in .925 Sterling Silver has been the chosen denomination to commemorate significant events in European History.
The tradition continues in 1998 as the United Kingdom celebrates the 25th Anniversary of its entry into the European Economic Community and also its Presidency of the European Union during the first six months of 1998.
To mark this occasion the Royal Mint has issued a superb Piedfort Silver Proof 50p Fifty Pence Coin. The reverse design by John Mills features a celebratory pattern of the twelve stars of the European Union together with the dates 1973 and 1998. The obverse bears the new effigy of Her Majesty the Queen by Ian Rank Broadley.
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 of 8,440 Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
Minted in Solid .925 Sterling Silver to Proof Quality by the Royal Mint
