Stories of the Second World War 50p (2025)

Sold only in collector formats, the Stories of the Second World War 50p is priced on its packaging and condition. The Royal Mint pack sells above a loose coin, a coin in a capsule or one in a third-party certified pack, and a coin free of scratches and toning holds its price best. The silver, piedfort and gold proofs are priced separately.

The Stories of the Second World War 50p was not issued for circulation, so it has no rarity rank.

Three medals in a row, set out in the order they are worn, identify this coin. On the left is the star-shaped 1939-1945 Star, and beside it are the Defence Medal and the War Medal, carrying George VI's Latin titles. The words STORIES OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR and the initials TN complete the reverse. The VE Day and D-Day 50ps of the same period show a dove and a beach landing, so medals are the giveaway here. None of its editions went into circulation.

The Royal Mint used this 50p to honour wartime service by ordinary people, in uniform and on the home front. The coin is dated 2025 to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, and it was developed with Imperial War Museums. Artist Timothy Noad chose three general service medals that were awarded very widely. They hang from their ribbons side by side in the order they are worn, showing their obverse faces: the 1939-1945 Star, the Defence Medal with a bare-headed George VI and the War Medal 1939-1945 with the King crowned. George VI appears on the medals with his Latin titles, and with King Charles III on the obverse, by Martin Jennings, this became the first 50p to show two different kings. STORIES OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR fills the lower part of the coin in three lines, with Noad's initials TN at the right. The coin was included in the 2025 sets and sold singly from 12 March 2025, with silver, piedfort and gold proofs.