For 2021 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Death of Charles Babbage, the Royal Mint released a Limited Issue Charles Babbage Piedfort 50p Fifty Pence Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
The reverse, designed by Nigel Tudman and Jas Bhamra features decimal numbers and the words Charles Babbage while the obverse has the stunning 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 Presentation of 731 Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
Struck to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Death of Charles Babbage
The Fourth Coin in the Popular Innovation in Science Coin Series
