In 2019 to celebrate the Life of Stephen Hawking, the Royal Mint released a special Limited Issue Stephen Hawking Piedfort 50p Fifty Pence Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.

The reverse designed by Edwina Ellis features a Black Hole to celebrate Stephen Hawking's groundbreaking work while t he obverse features the Fifth Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark
These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.

Piedforts are coins which have been specially 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 practise of striking piedforts is later and less frequent, but medieval and Tudor examples are known.

• Limited Mintage Presentation of 2,481 Worldwide
• The first time Stephen Hawking has been celebrated on a UK coin
• The First Coin in an Exciting New Series Celebrating Innovators in Science
• Features a design approved by the Hawking estate
• Piedfort Double the Weight and Thickness of the Silver Proof 50p Coin
• Celebrate the life and legacy of one of the world’s most brilliant scientists
• Presented in a black box complete with a fascinating booklet that brings the science of black holes to life
• Royal Mint Boxed with Certificate of Authenticity