Reverse: Features a "British queue" of five individuals representing the diverse groups granted the vote: a woman holding a ballot, a soldier, and working-class citizens. Inscription: "1918 REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT".
Technical Specs: Cupro-Nickel | 8.00g | 27.30mm | 7-sided (Heptagon).
Product Code: UK18RPBU | NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Originally sold for £10.00, this version was struck to a higher standard than everyday coins, intended for collectors and preserved in a decorative folder.
See our page on the 1918 Representation of the People Act 50p Brilliant Uncirculated version.
The 1918 Representation of the People Act was a landmark moment in British democracy. After decades of suffragette campaigning and the contributions of women during World War I, this Act granted voting rights to:
This Act tripled the electorate from 7.7 million to 21.4 million voters overnight. It wasn't until the Equal Franchise Act of 1928 that women achieved full voting equality with men. The 2018 commemorative 50p marks the centenary of this pivotal step toward universal suffrage.
💡 Design Context: Stephen Taylor's reverse design cleverly depicts a quintessentially British queue—showing diverse citizens waiting to exercise their new democratic rights. The clean, bold silhouettes echo 1920s propaganda art, capturing the era's optimism and social change.
As of early 2026, the Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) version remains a steady performer on the secondary market. Since it's NO LONGER AVAILABLE from The Royal Mint, prices have held firm above the original £10.00 issue price.
| Condition | Fair Market Value | UK Coin Collector Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Circulating Coin | £1.00 | Worth £1 to a UK coin collector, otherwise Face Value (50p) |
| Certified BU (Change Checker / Encapsulated) | £6.00 | Commonly sold in protective cards; very popular with set collectors |
| Official Royal Mint Presentation Pack | £10.00 | Highest value for the original sealed "UK18RPBU" folder |
While 9,000,000 of these coins were struck for circulation (making them common in your change), only 12,311 were issued in the official Royal Mint Presentation Pack (Product Code: UK18RPBU). This low "packaging mintage" is what drives the premium for the BU version—it's not about the coin itself, but the limited presentation format.
⭐ Bottom Line:
Whether you're a history enthusiast, a commemorative collector, or simply someone who appreciates coins with powerful social narratives, the 2018 Representation of the People Act 50p deserves a place in your collection. It's a well-designed, historically significant piece that tells the story of how Britain became a true democracy.