Suffragettes 50p

Coin Description

Struck in 2003 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Formation of the Women's Social and Political Union. The reverse, designed by Mary Milner Dickens, features a suffragette chained to railings holds a banner with "WSPU," accompanied by a ballot paper marked with a cross and the words "GIVE WOMEN THE VOTE." The design includes the value "50 PENCE" on the left and the dates "1903" and "2003" below. The obverse features the fourth portrait of Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley.

Suffragettes 50p Specifications

Weight 8.00 g

Diameter 27.30 mm

Circulating Mintage 3,124,030

Obverse Designer Ian Rank-Broadley

Reverse Designer Mary Milner Dickens

Detailed Information

✊ 2003 Suffragettes 50p Coin Details

Commemorates 100 years of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), 1903–2003.

What's it worth?

A lower-mintage commemorative 50p with strong historical appeal. The coin carries a modest premium in circulation, with higher-grade and proof versions attracting serious collector interest.

📊 Suffragettes 50p Sales

Typical secondary-market prices, excluding postage.

Coin Type	Typical Value Range	Notes
Circulated (found in change)	£2 to £5	Around £2 for a standard circulated example, rising towards £5 for nicer pieces. Values depend heavily on overall eye appeal and how the coin is listed.
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU)	About £10	BU coins from sets or original packaging are a common target for collectors and usually command a clear premium over circulation finds.
Silver Proof	£30 to £40	Struck in sterling silver to proof standard. Recent retail prices and sold examples cluster in the low–mid £30s when boxed with certificate.
Silver Proof Piedfort	Around £70	Double-thickness sterling silver issue with a low mintage. Often priced near the £70 mark when offered by specialist dealers in top condition.

💡 UK Coin Collector Notes

The 2003 Suffragettes 50p is not “Kew Gardens rare”, but it is noticeably scarcer than many modern commemoratives and is underpinned by a strong social-history story.

Mintage & scarcity: Around 3,124,030 coins entered circulation, making this a less common 50p compared with high-mintage designs. It is sought after but not in the very top rarity tier.
Design: The reverse by Mary Milner Dickens shows a suffragette chained to railings, holding a WSPU banner, with a ballot paper marked “GIVE WOMEN THE VOTE” and the dual dates 1903 and 2003. The obverse carries the fourth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley.
Collection focus:
- Circulated: A nice find in change and an easy entry point for new collectors. Look for examples with fewer contact marks and good lustre for the best resale potential.
- BU: Ideal for a date-run or type set. BU examples give you the design in much sharper detail without the price jump of silver.
- Proof issues: The Silver Proof, Silver Proof Piedfort and Gold Proof versions all have very low mintages, with the silver pieces especially attractive in a themed women's-rights or British-history collection.
Error claims: There are no confirmed Royal Mint error varieties for this design. Treat any “error” listings with caution unless backed by clear evidence and professional attribution.

This is not financial advice. Do your own research.

Suffragettes 50p

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Coin Description