In 2019 to celebrate the 160th Anniversary of the Birth of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle author of Sherlock Holmes, the Royal Mint released a special Limited Issue Sherlock Holmes Piedfort 50p Fifty Pence Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
The reverse designed by Stephen Raw features a cameo of Sherlock Holmes and title of some of his books while the obverse features the Fifth Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark. 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 2,485 Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
Minted in Solid .925 Sterling Silver to Royal Mint's Proof Quality
Celebrating the 160th Anniversary of Sherlock Holmes
The reverse design is by Stephen Raw and features a silhouette of Sherlock Holmes alongside the titles of stories in the Sherlock Holmes canon
A unique release for fans of the world-famous detective and coin collectors alike
The first time Sherlock Holmes has featured on a UK coin
