In 2009 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first UK 50p Fifty Pence Coin, the Royal Mint released a very special Limited Issue National Health Service NHS 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 nationalization 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 organization. Fifty years on the NHS continues to develop and today employs over a million people, boasting the largest workforce of any organization in Europe. The special reverse design, by David Cornell, reflects the hopes and aspiration of the NHS at its inception, symbolizing 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.
Limited Mintage of 1,168 Coins Worldwide
Struck to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the First 50p Coin - National Health Service - NHS
