In 2000 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Public Library Act, the Royal Mint released a very Limited Issue commemorative Piedfort Silver Proof 50p Fifty Pence Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
Today, the Public Library Service lies at the very heart of every community in the United Kingdom, undergoing education and enriching the quality of life. It is perhaps the biggest cultural revolution the nation has seen, a revolution that began with the Public Libraries Act of 1850 and one that is still in full swing. Its special reverse design, created by Mary Milner Dickens, depicts the turning pages of a book above the pediment of a classical library building, the facade decorated with CD‘s to give a modern perspective. The obverse features the portrait of 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 of 5,721 Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
Minted in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Public Library
