In 1998 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the NHS, the Royal Mint released a very Limited Issue NHS Piedfort 50p Fifty Pence Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
On 5 July 1948, the dream of a National Health Service finally became a reality. It was a momentous achievement, spearheaded by philanthropists and social reformers alike. Aneurin Bevan, then Minister of Health, successfully steered the NHS Bill through Parliament. By the nationalisation of all voluntary and municipal hospitals, the bill laid the foundation for a health service that was to provide comprehensive medical treatment for all according to need rather than the ability to pay.
For the first time, all hospitals, family practitioners, pharmacists, opticians, dentists and community-based services were brought together under one organisation. Fifty years on the NHS continues to develop and today employs over a million people, boasting the largest workforce of any organisation in Europe. In celebration of its 50th Anniversary, the Royal Mint has released a beautiful Piedfort Silver Proof 50p Fifty Pence Coin. The special reverse design, by David Cornell, reflects the hopes and aspiration of the NHS at its inception, symbolising as it does the dawn of a new and caring age. The obverse bears the new effigy of Her Majesty the Queen by Ian Rank Broadley FRBS, FSNAD.
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 5,117 Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
