In 2009 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the first 50p Coin, the Royal Mint released a very special Limited Issue Piedfort 50p Fifty Pence Gold Proof 16 Coin Set all struck in solid 22 Carat Gold.

Bringing together the 16 different designs that have featured on the 50p Fifty Pence Coin since its introduction in 1969, it is the first collection of its kind in the world: especially for the new 'Birthday Set', all 16 coins bear the current portrait of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS and all carry the 2009 date and all have been struck in Piedfort each weighing one ounce of solid 22 Carat Gold with a Mintage of 40 Worldwide.
These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.

Piedforts are coins which have been especially struck on thicker than normal blanks.
As their name suggests they are closely associated with France, where from the twelfth century they were apparently issued by the Kings as presentation pieces.
In Britain, the practice of striking Piedforts is later and less frequent, but medieval and Tudor examples are known.

• Limited Mintage of only 40 Sets Worldwide
• Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
• Finished to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid 22 Carat Gold
• Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the First 50p Coin
• Royal Mint Boxed with Certificate of Authenticity

Piedfort Gold Proof Coins Include: