Three medals, two Kings, one incredible coin – The Stories of the Second World War 50p
The 2025 Stories of the Second World War 50p represents the impactful stories of those who lived through World War II, that will unfortunately soon fade from living memory. It also marks a historic first for British coinage, as it’s the first UK 50p to feature two different Kings – King George VI on the reverse and His Majesty King Charles III on the obverse!
Three Medals
The design on the Stories of the Second World War 50p was created by Timothy Noad with the assistance of Imperial War Museums, and depicts the medals awarded to millions who contributed to the cause. The medals featured include the 1939-45 Star, Defence Medal and War Medal, representing the countless unique experiences of the Second World War.
The 1939-45 Star (left) was awarded to personnel of the Navy, Army or RAF personnel who completed operational service overseas between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945 (2 Sept 1945 in Far East). The medal is a 6 pointed star with the crowned royal cipher of George VI on the obverse and the reverse is blank as with all World War II stars.
Credit: Auckland Museum, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Defence Medal (centre) was awarded to military and civilian subjects of the British Commonwealth during the Second World War and bears the uncrowned coinage effigy of George VI on the obverse. On the reverse of the medal was the Royal crown atop an oak tree, flanked by two heraldic lions.
Credit: Robert Prummel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The War Medal (right) was the most common medal awarded to British and Commonwealth citizens who served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy during World War II. It features a crowned effigy of George VI on the obverse and a lion trampling on a monster with features of both an eagle and serpent on the reverse.
Credit: Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Two Kings
Two of the three medals that features on the Stories of World War II 50p feature the effigy of King George VI, who was reigning monarch from 1936-1952 – the entirety of the Second World War. This, along with the portrait of King Charles III that features on the obverse of the coin, makes the first time ever that two different Kings have features on a UK 50p coin!
Two different Kings have previously featured on crowns, such as the 2023 King Charles I 1oz and the 2023 Charles II 1oz, however this is the first time in living memory – maybe even ever – that two different Kings have featured on the same 50p coins.
One incredible coin
The Second World War was a time when extraordinary courage and relentless effort came from all corners of the UK and the Commonwealth, forever shaping modern British society. From the battlefields to the home front, everyone played a role in the war effort—each story, a testament to resilience and unity.
These stories have been immortalised on the 2025 Stories of the Second World War 50p, preserving them for generations to come, and you can own a piece of history by securing it for your collection in Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
Our military history on UK coins
1994 D-Day 50p
The 1994 D-Day 50p was issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. This coin was originally issued in the larger 50p specification, meaning you’re no longer able to find it in your change. It was later re-issued in 2019 in the smaller 50p specification, however this version didn’t enter circulation.
Interestingly, the 1994 D-Day 50p was voted the all time favourite 50p coin by Change Checkers!
2024 D-Day 50p
30 years later in 2024, a new D-Day UK 50p was issued, this time marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The design was created by renowned sculptor David Lawrence in collaboration with Imperial War Museums and depicts brave Allied troops risking their lives on that fateful day.
This coin didn’t enter circulation, but when paired with the 1994 D-Day 50p, makes for a poignant reminder of the incredibly important day in history.
VC Medal and Heroic Acts 50ps
In 2006, two 50p coins were issued to mark 150 years of the Victoria Cross award – the highest and most prestigious decoration of the British decorations system. One of the coins features the Victoria Cross medal itself, a bronze cross pattée bearing the crown of Saint Edward surmounted by a lion, and the inscription “for valour”.
The other 50p represents the Heroic Acts carried out by those who received the award, with a soldier carrying a wounded comrade against a silhouette of the Victoria Cross medal.
The original 2006 issues of these coins entered circulation, however they were both re-issued in 2019 as part of the 50th Anniversary of the 50p Military History Collection.
Battle of Britain 50p
The Battle of Britain was an intense air battle fought mainly throughout the summer of 1940 between Germany and Britain. To commemorate 75 years since the great battle, The Royal Mint issued this 50p in 2015.
Designed by sculptor Gary Breeze, this coin quickly gained interest from collectors due to the three different obverses when it was initially minted. Find out more about that here >>
Like the VC 50ps, the Battle of Britain 50p was also re-issued in 2019 in the Military History 50p Collection.
Secure the Stories of the Second World War 50p
Add the 2025 UK Stories of the Second World War 50p to your collection >>
Thank you for the reply, I will wait for more clarity before any coin purchases. Regards Mike
For £8.99 it’s just not worth collecting anymore and we know it will soon be £9.99 It’s just too much now.
Hi Nathan, we appreciate that no one wants to pay more, but unfortunately, our costs do rise alongside The Royal Mint’s retail prices. We are working hard behind the scenes to secure a better deal with The Royal Mint for Change Checkers, but the good news is that you can still own UK Brilliant Uncirculated 50ps for £6.00 less than The Royal Mint’s new issue price of £15 and Change Checker is still the most affordable way to own new UK BU coins.
We hope that you’ll continue to enjoy collecting and we’ll keep you updated on further pricing updates.
Kind regards, Kate
Another unaffordable coin, will not purchase at this ridiculous price
Hi Mike, we appreciate that no one wants to pay more, but unfortunately, our costs rise alongside The Royal Mint’s retail prices. We are working hard behind the scenes to secure a better deal with The Royal Mint for Change Checkers, but the good news is that you can still own UK Brilliant Uncirculated 50ps for £6.00 less than The Royal Mint’s new issue price of £15 and Change Checker is still the most affordable way to own new UK BU coins.
It’s a decision which has taken a lot of thought, however I’m pleased to let you know that we’re locking in prices for BU £2 and £5 coins for the first half of 2025, whilst we work hard behind the scenes to secure a better deal with The Royal Mint for Change Checkers. As soon as we have some more clarity as to what that will look like, we’ll let you know.
Kind regards, Kate