In 2009 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the first 50p Coin, the Royal Mint released a very special Limited Issue 50p Fifty Pence Proof 16 Coin Set.

Bringing together the 16 different designs that have featured on the 50p Fifty Pence Coin since its introduction in 1969, it is the first collection of its kind in the world: especially for the new 'Birthday Set', all 16 coins bear the current portrait of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS and all carry the 2009 date.
These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.