For 2021 to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Death of John Logie Baird Television Pioneer, the Royal Mint released a Limited Issue John Logie Baird Piedfort 50p Fifty Pence Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
The reverse, designed by Osborne Ross features a Television Antenna 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.