In 2019 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first UK 50p Fifty Pence Coin, the Royal Mint released a very special Limited Issue Brilliant Uncirculated Victoria Cross Heroic Acts 50p Fifty Pence Coin.
The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. All who have received it have shown conspicous bravery many at the cost of their own lives.
The original idea for the Victoria Cross was proposed by the Duke of Newcastle in 1854 and the Royal Warrant for the creation of the medal was eventually signed by
Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace on 29th January 1856. The first investiture took place in June 1857 in Hyde Park, where crowds gathered to witness the Queen, mounted on horseback, presenting medals to sailors and soldiers.
The reverse depicts a soldier carrying a wounded colleague against a silhouette of the Victoria Cross designed by Clive Duncan
and the obverse is a portrait of Elizabeth II designed by Jody Clark.