UK 50p celebrates 75 years of the NHS

2023 marks 75 years of our NHS, and to celebrate, a UK 50p has been issued.

2023 UK NHS 50p reverse and obverse
2023 UK NHS 50p reverse and obverse

This coin may look familiar, and that’s because it featured in the 2023 Annual Coin Set released earlier this year, but now you can finally own it individually!

A closer look

The 2023 UK NHS 50p represents the nation’s appreciation for NHS workers and services, with an original design by Alice Lediard. The reverse design features key words associated with the NHS such as dedication, hope, support and compassion. The words ‘National Health Service 75’ can also be seen highlighted in the centre of the coin.

2023 UK NHS 50p Reverse
2023 UK NHS 50p Reverse

What’s more, The Royal Mint are donating 100% of the profit made from these coins to NHS Charities Together. Over 230 NHS Charities across the UK provide additional support and resources for both staff and patients.

What better way to say thank you for the last 75 years or service.

The nation’s service

Since it was established in 1948, the National Health Service has played a pivotal role in the lives of the British public. It provides millions of people with vital care and medical services. This was especially apparent in recent years during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minister of Health, Aneurin Bevan, on the first day of the NHS 5th July 1948
Minister of Health, Aneurin Bevan, on the first day of the NHS – 5th July 1948
University of Liverpool Faculty of Health & Life Sciences from Liverpool, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Numismatic history of the NHS

This isn’t the first time the NHS has been celebrated on a UK coin…

1998 50th Anniversary of the NHS 50p

In 1998, a UK 50p was released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the NHS.

The reverse design by David Cornell shows a pair of hands cupping rays of light along with the inscription ‘NHS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY’.

1998 50th Anniversary of the NHS 50p
1998 50th Anniversary of the NHS 50p

2018 A-Z ‘N’ NHS 10p

2018 'N' NHS 10p
2018 ‘N’ NHS 10p

Almost 20 years later in 2018, the NHS 10p was released as part of the 26 coin A-Z 10p series.

The series celebrated all things British, so it’s no surprise that the NHS was chosen to represent the letter N. The reverse design shows a stethoscope wrapped around the letter N in the shape of a heart.

The A-Z 10ps have become some of the hardest UK circulation coins to find, with a mintage of only 304,000 per letter.


And that brings us to 2023 and the new 75th anniversary of the NHS 50p, which you can own in brilliant uncirculated quality.

Secure your 2023 UK 75 Years of the NHS Certified BU 50p

Your 2023 UK NHS 50p is presented in official Change Checker packaging so it’s safely preserved for generations to come. Secure yours here >>

6 Comments

  1. Vic Taylor on June 2, 2023 at 4:08 pm

    When will the 50p coronation coin go into circulation?



    • Kate on June 5, 2023 at 10:31 am

      Hi Vic, we’re not sure yet when the Coronation 50p is due to enter circulation. We’ll be sure to update you once we know more!
      Kind regards, Kate



  2. Rowan on June 1, 2023 at 10:37 am

    Do we know if it will go into circulation?



    • Kate on June 1, 2023 at 12:11 pm

      Hi Rowan, we haven’t been told that this coin will enter circulation, but we’ll be sure to update you if we hear differently.
      I hope that helps,
      Kate



  3. Peter Embling on June 1, 2023 at 10:17 am

    Do we know whether this NHS 50p will be circulated please, ie: will we find it in our change? Likewise the Coronation coins please?

    Thank you



    • Kate on June 1, 2023 at 12:10 pm

      Hi Peter, we haven’t been told that this coin will enter circulation, but we’ll be sure to update you if we hear differently.
      I hope that helps,
      Kate