Royal Mint releases 50p collectable coin to honour 75 years of the NHS - how you can buy it

The Royal Mint has released a collectable 50p to celebrate 75 years of the NHS. This coin will join previous milestones The Royal Mint has released in honour of the NHS’s history, such as a 50p introduced in 1998 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NHS.

The event marks the significance of the health system, which was founded on 5 July 1948, and is the second largest single-payer health system in the world. All net proceeds of each coin will be donated to NHS Charities Together, an organisation providing support to NHS staff, patients, and communities, which The Mint has estimated could amount up to £225,000.

The collectable 50p was created by Alice Lediard, a senior designer at the Royal Mint, and was one of the first 50ps to feature King Charles on the obverse (heads) side of the coin. The reverse design incorporates words to reflect the nation’s gratitude towards the NHS and its staff, such as “dedication”, “support” and “empathy” and is in similar-angled font to the one used by the NHS.

‘An honour’

Ms Lediard said: “It is an honour to have my design selected to appear on a 50p coin celebrating the NHS’s 75th anniversary. Like most of the nation, I have a deep-rooted pride and appreciation for the NHS.

“Both my partner and closest friends are NHS workers and worked on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic. The beating heart of the NHS is the staff who work for it, so I wanted to make sure the words encompassed everyone, presented a positive outlook, and summed up decades of healthcare provision to the British public in a personal way that everyone could associate with.”

Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at the Royal Mint said: “The Royal Mint is delighted to announce that all net proceeds generated from the sale of the individual NHS 50p coin will be donated to NHS Charities Together, to help support and continue the incredible work they do daily.

“The Royal Mint is committed to producing products that celebrate and commemorate Britain’s most influential individuals, organisations, and institutions and the NHS has played a pivotal role in British society, supporting millions of people every day.

“As one of Britain’s most respected and admired institutions, all of us at the Royal Mint have such appreciation for the work and difference that both past and present NHS employees have and continue to make. It is a privilege to be involved in celebrating and marking the NHS’s 75th anniversary with an official UK 50p coin.”

Ellie Orton, chief executive of NHS Charities Together said: “NHS charities have been supporting the NHS throughout its 75 years, and the help we provide has never been more important.

“We are here for everyone who wants to give something back to the NHS and we are so grateful to the Royal Mint for donating the proceeds of this new coin to our charity. Together we can help the NHS go further for its staff and patients and ensure everyone can access the best healthcare possible.”

Where can you buy the NHS 50p collectable coin?

This NHS 50p coin is the first to be available for sale as an individual coin from The Mint, and part of a set. The coin, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the NHS, is available to buy via the Royal Mint’s website, with prices starting at £11. In 2020, along with other organisations, the Mint pledged to support the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic, manufacturing 1.9 million medical visors for NHS staff.

Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive said: “We are delighted that the Royal Mint has launched this new coin to celebrate our 75th birthday and recognise the incredible hard work and dedication of our staff, as we mark 75 years of caring for our communities and of the special role that the NHS continues to hold for the public.

“After some of the most challenging years in our history, from managing the pandemic response to rolling out our world-leading vaccination programme, and now pulling out all the stops to recover services, it is important that we celebrate the achievements of our incredible staff and volunteers and look ahead to the future and the next 75 years of the NHS.”