United Kingdom: Team GB capturing the spirit of the nation with new Olympic 50-pence coin

The Royal Mint has released (21st June) new commemorative 50-pence coins marking the delayed Summer Olympic Games which will officially commence on the 23rd July in the city of Tokyo. Due to the worldwide pandemic of the Wuhan strain of the coronavirus, which began making its way around the world in late 2019, the Olympic Games were delayed by one year — the first time this has ever occurred in the history of the modern Olympic era. As a result, the authorities of the International Olympic Committee decided to postpone the games by exactly one year. The city of Tokyo will play host to the Summer Games for the second time, the first being in 1964, and although there may be fewer spectators in the various stadiums serving as venues, the enthusiasm and excitement for the competitions and tournaments being planned is as great as ever.

The United Kingdom has had a very impressive record of participation at the Olympics since British athletes have appeared in every Summer Olympic Games of the modern era, alongside Australia, France, Greece, and Switzerland. However, Great Britain is the only country to have won at least one gold medal at every Olympics.

The Opening Ceremony will commence on Friday, the 23rd July, and since Tokyo is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, the Opening Ceremony will take place at 8:00 PM in Tokyo. Part of the ceremony includes the entrance of the host country’s head of state, in this case, it is the Emperor Naruhito, who was enthroned as Japan’s 125th Emperor just two years ago. In addition, there are some very precise rituals at the ceremonies which are part of the opening ceremony. It was at the 1920 Games in Antwerp that most of this protocol was put in place and has been developed over subsequent editions of the Games. Most importantly, the Olympic oath, revised in 2018, which every participating athlete must recite before competing, is as follows:

We promise to take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules and in the spirit of fair play. We all commit ourselves to sport without doping and cheating. We do this, for the glory of sport, for the honour of our teams, and in respect for the Fundamental Principles of Olympism. 

The seven-sided coins are designed by Royal Mint senior designer David Knapton and feature a collection of sports paraphernalia and equipment associated with the 27 sports which are included in the upcoming Olympic games and cleverly arranged, along with the year 2020, and the insignia of TEAM GB.

The obverse side includes the fifth effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II created by engraver Jody Clark, along with the denomination of 50 PENCE, and the year of release, 2021.

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Mintage Limit
50 pence	Cupro-nickel	8 g	27.3 mm	Brilliant Unc.	Unlimited
50 pence	Cupro-nickel	8 g	27.3 mm	Brilliant Unc. with applied colour	12,021
50 pence	.925 Silver	8 g	27.3 mm	Proof with applied colour	5,510
50 pence	.925 Silver	16 g	27.3 mm	Proof	1,510
50 pence	.9167 Gold	15.5 g	27.3 mm	Proof	260

These latest Olympic coins were originally available in the 2020 Annual Set and have now been struck again in 2021 for collectors to purchase via the Royal Mint website. Both versions of the Brilliant Uncirculated cupro-nickel coins are housed in a blister-pak type folder with informative text and illustrations.

The sterling silver Proof and silver Piedfort coins are presented in a custom black vinyl case and the gold Proof coins are presented in a polished hardwood case. Both are accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. For additional information about the 2021-dated Olympic coins, please visit the website of the Royal Mint.

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