In 2020 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Rosalind Franklin, the Royal Mint released a special Limited Issue Rosalind Franklin Piedfort 50p Fifty Pence Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
The reverse designed by David Knapton celebrates Rosalind Franklin and the discovery of DNA and features Photograph 51 while the obverse depicts 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.
A Limited Edition Presentation of just 1,500 coins
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
Finished to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
The first time Rosalind Franklin and her achievements have been celebrated on a UK coin
Celebrate the legacy of one of Britain’s greatest scientists
Produced in collaboration with King’s College London where Franklin’s DNA research took place
The Second Coin in the Special Innovation in Science Coin Series
