For 2021 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Discovery of Insulin, the Royal Mint released a Limited Issue Insulin Piedfort 50p Fifty Pence Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
The reverse, designed by Iris De La Torre depicts an artistic interpretation of the structure of insulin along with its molecular formula while the obverse features 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 886 Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
Struck to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Discovery of Insulin
Honouring the Incredible Legacy of John Macleod, Sir Frederick Banting, Charles Best and James Collip
The Fifth Coin in the Popular Innovation in Science Coin Series
Produced in Collaboration with the University of Aberdeen
