The Battle of Hastings was such a significant event that it completely changed the course of history. The reverse of this coin was designed by John Bergdahl and is inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. How much is the Battle of Hastings 50p worth?
Having researched the most recent online sales on eBay and Amazon this coin is worth around £2 in good circulated condition. So why is this coin worth four times it's face value? Let's take a look.
950 years ago, King Harold II was defeated by William the Conqueror which led to the collapse of the English army. William was crowned as the first Norman King, a crucial moment in medieval history.
The two battles of Fulford and Stamford Bridge in September 1066 had significantly weakened Harold’s Army, and whilst was still recovering, William landed in Pevensey on the 28th of September 1066 to do battle.
The Battle of Hastings was fought on the 14th October 1066 between the French army led by Duke William II and the English army led by King Harold, on Senlac Hill, seven miles from Hastings, England.
The Battle itself was a swift victory for the Normans and marked the beginning of the Norman Conquest of England.
In this article we take a look at the design of the coin and how likely you are to find one of these coins in your change.
Design of the 2016 Battle of Hastings 50p coin
One half of a pound sterling is equal to one fifty pence (50p), a unit of currency used in the UK. It is a seven-sided coin that has the shape of an equilateral-curve heptagon, also known as a Reuleaux polygon, or curve whose breadth is constant throughout all bisections.
The cupro-nickel form of the coin has a plain edge, is 27.3mm in diameter, weighs 8g, and is 1.78mm thick.
The reverse is inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry and depicts a medieval warrior holding a shield pierced by arrows, dividing the date 1066. It is believed to depict the death of King Harold as an arrow is piercing the warrior's eye, as legend has it this is the way he is though to have been killed.
Around, the text BATTLE OF HASTINGS; below, the date 2016. The designer's initials JB (for John Bergdahl) are to the right below the ground the warrior is standing on.
The value and denomination are on the obverse.
The number 1066 and the phrases "BATTLE OF HASTINGS" around the edge pay homage to the battle's year of origin.
The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait").
Running continuously around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the date: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE ·. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials J.C for Jody Clark.
Mintage of the Coin
Official figures from the Royal Mint's website show that a total of 6.7 million of the 2016 Battle of Hastings coins entered circulation.
As well as the 6.7 million released into circulation, additional versions were released by the Royal Mint including only 2,338 silver proof versions of .925 sterling silver, which were presented in an original box with certificate of authenticity. A total of 1,469 Silver Piedfort versions weighing double the weight of the Silver proof at 16g and just 279 gold proof versions weighing 15.5g and struck to 22 carat gold.
In the same year, the Royal Mint issued a whole host of commemorative coins including 5 from the Beatrix Potter series, a Team GB 50p and five commemorative £2 coins including the 2016 Shakespeare Comedies £2 coin.
Is the 2016 Battle of Hastings 50p Coin Rare?
With a mintage of 6.7 million the coin is not particularly rare in comparison with some other commemorative coins such as the 2016 Jemima Puddle-duck 50p or the 2017 Isaac Newton 50p coin that both have a mintage around 2 million. It has a similar mintage to the 1994 D Day Landing 50p and the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games 50p coin.
Nevertheless, it is a great coin to receive in your change that is four times its face value and a wonderful coin to add to your collection.
How Much Is the Battle of Hastings 50p Coin Worth Today?
As we said, it is always it is difficult to put an exact price on a coin as all coins vary in condition, but we would expect the circulated Battle of Hastings 50p to be worth around £2 in today's market excluding any postage costs.
Where Can I Buy the 2016 Battle of Hastings 50p Coin?
You can buy the Battle of Hastings 50p coin online on auction sites such as eBay or Amazon but please ensure you look at all the information and reputation of the seller.
Alternatively, you can buy the coin from ourselves in excellent condition.
Unfortunately, as this coin is now nearly 7 years old, the Royal Mint no longer stock this coin so it is only available to buy on the secondary market.
Are there any known errors of this coin?
The Royal Mint has not confirmed any error versions of the 2016 Battle of Hastings 50p, so any listings on eBay or Amazon that are trying to market an ‘error’ version are trying to trick buyers and artificially inflate the price.
Bit of Trivia...
According to news stories and media hype online, a Battle of Hastings 50p sold for £63,100.00 on eBay on 15th June 2020. This quickly inflated the price of the Battle of Hastings 50p as buyers clambered to get their hands on the coin at a bargain price.
This coin however, remains a coin you could easily find in your change and with a mintage of 6.7 million is not rare so don't be fooled that this coin is worth more than £5.
The likelihood of the buyer paying £63,100 to the seller is zero. Anybody can list anything on eBay, for whatever price they choose. If you wanted to inflate a price of a coin, you would pull a stunt like this. Please do your research before believing what you read online.
5 comments
Paul
I have one of those coins would it be worth selling.
Anonymous
Thanks, that was extremely helpful and informative
Sandra Knowles
We can all dream even if only for the time it takes to look up the realistic value of that Battle of hastings 50p🙄
LINDA Donaldson
Hi could you tell me how much my 50p coin of the battle of Hastings 1066 is worth the date it was made is 2016. I have been told it is not worth much but I just wanted to check.
Chris Bambrough
As interesting & informative as the article was, I find it hard to believe that so many sellers are asking £1000 plus for the battle of Hastings 50 pence, if it is truly only worth £4. They make no mention of the coin being solid silver or gold, just stressing the rarity. What is the value of the silver & gold coins?