The Royal Mint has revealed a commemorative 50p coin celebrating the 50th anniversary of Pride in the UK this year.
The coin, designed by east London artist, writer, and LGBTQ+ activist Dominique Holmes, features the standard depiction of Queen Elizabeth II on one side, and uses colour printing technology to create the iconic colours of the Pride progression flag on special-edition colour versions of the coins.
Update: The special piece of history is available to buy through The Royal Mint website now.
The announcement marks the first time Britain’s LGBTQ+ community has been recognised on official UK coinage. Royal Mint said:
“Built on the core values of visibility, unity and equality, Pride UK is one of the most enduring cultural movements in the United Kingdom. Over the years, the event has evolved from a political protest into a vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, making Pride UK a true highlight of the UK’s annual events calendar.”
“Now in its 50th year, Pride UK is more popular than ever, uniting LGBTQ+ communities nationwide in a colourful celebration of positivity, solidarity and inclusivity. In honour of this historic milestone, we celebrate the legacy of Pride UK with a new commemorative UK 50p design created by the artist, writer and LGBTQ+ activist Dominique Holmes.”
Royal Mint to launch Pride coin for 50th anniversary 👏🏾🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ #prideinlondon #pride #allourpride #royalmint @PrideInLondon @RoyalMintUK https://t.co/osEdZALeV9
— CJD (@441_Man) May 18, 2022
Clare Maclennan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said:
“This is the first ever UK coin dedicated to Britain’s LGBTQ+ community, with colour printing technology capturing the spirit of Pride UK with its iconic rainbow colours”
“It was an honour to host representatives from Pride in London at the Royal Mint recently to strike their own coins as part of the launch and discuss with them our commitment to diversity and inclusion within the business and show how we are reinventing for the future.”
The 50p coin will not enter general circulation but is available to buy through The Royal Mint website now.
The coin will be available in gold, silver, and other uncirculated versions.
July 2022 marks 50 years of the first ever UK Pride march in 1972.
Pride in London, the organisation in charge of the capital’s Pride celebrations, announced earlier this year plans to retrace the historic 1972 route, then organised by the Gay Liberation Front, beginning in Hyde Park where the first after-march picnic took place.
We’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with @RoyalMintUK to launch a 50p pride coin to celebrate 50 years of the UK Pride movement! https://t.co/r9ZhfEKxeo @Independent pic.twitter.com/rlJQ0TbEzo
— Pride in London (@PrideInLondon) May 18, 2022