Concorde at 50: Celebrating a Supersonic Icon on the UK’s 2026 50p Coin
On 29 November 1962, a bold agreement was signed between the British and French governments. Its ambition was unprecedented: to work together to create an aircraft capable of sustained supersonic flight. Few could have predicted that this collaboration would give birth to one of the greatest engineering achievements in aviation history.
That aircraft was Concorde.
To mark 50 years since Concorde’s first commercial passenger flight in 1976, The Royal Mint has released an official UK 2026 Concorde 50p coin, celebrating the aircraft that redefined what was possible in air travel.
The Design…
The UK 2026 Concorde 50p features a striking reverse design by Osborne Ross, depicting the aircraft traversing the globe — a powerful nod to its international impact.
Polished elements within the design create clever light play and reflection, echoing Concorde’s sleek aerodynamic form. Across the centre, the aircraft’s name appears boldly in block capitals, styled to resemble a split-flap departure board, instantly recogniseable of airport terminals and the golden age of jet travel.
Available in Brilliant Uncirculated, Silver Proof, Silver Proof Piedfort and Gold Proof editions, the coin is also featured in historic collector sets that include coins dated 1976, the year Concorde entered service.
Choose Your Edition
The Official UK 2026 Concorde BU 50p Pack
Issued to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Concorde’s first commercial service, this Brilliant Uncirculated 50p is the perfect entry point for collectors and aviation enthusiasts alike.
- Struck to a Brilliant Uncirculated finish
- Reverse design by Osborne Ross
- Produced in partnership with British Airways and Airbus
- Housed in official Royal Mint packaging exploring Concorde’s legacy
UK 2026 Concorde Silver Proof 50p
For the first time ever, Concorde appears on an official UK 50p — now struck in Sterling Silver to a stunning Proof finish.
With 30% fewer coins than the sold-out Red Arrows Silver 50p, this strictly limited release offers collectors a rare opportunity to own a landmark piece of British aviation history.
- First-ever official UK 50p featuring Concorde
- Struck in .925 Sterling Silver
- Limited to just 3,500 worldwide
- Presented in a premium display case with Certificate of Authenticity
- Officially licensed, produced with British Airways and Airbus
UK 2026 Concorde Silver Proof Piedfort 50p
Struck on a double-thickness Sterling Silver blank, the Piedfort edition delivers enhanced weight, presence and prestige.
Because Piedfort coins demand exceptional skill and precision, this release is more than four times rarer than the standard Silver Proof edition.
- Double-thickness .925 Sterling Silver
- Strict worldwide limit of 750 coins
- Premium display case and Certificate of Authenticity
- Officially licensed and produced in partnership with British Airways and Airbus
UK 2026 Concorde Gold Proof 50p
At the pinnacle of the range sits the Concorde Gold Proof 50p — an extraordinary tribute crafted from 22 carat gold.
With an edition limit of just 125 worldwide, this is an exceptionally rare opportunity to own a coin that matches Concorde’s prestige, rarity and legacy.
- Struck in 22 carat gold to a Proof finish
- Celebrates 50 years since Concorde’s first commercial flight
- Limited to JUST 125 worldwide
- Presented in a premium display case with Certificate of Authenticity
- Officially licensed, produced with British Airways and Airbus
Take Your Seat in History
Few machines have ever captured the spirit of progress like Concorde. Now, 50 years after it first carried passengers at supersonic speed, its legacy is immortalised on an official UK coin, a fitting tribute to one of the greatest engineering achievements of the modern age.
From the Skies of 1940 to the Battle of Britain Masterpiece Coin
When we picture the Battle of Britain, Spitfires often take centre stage, but it was the Hawker Hurricane that carried much of the burden in the summer of 1940. More numerous and relentlessly deployed, Hurricanes played a decisive role, and none more so than Hawker Hurricane P2725 TM-B.
On 15th September 1940, now known as Battle of Britain Day, Sergeant Ray Holms was flying Hurricane P2725 as part of the RAF’s defence of London. A Dornier bomber of the German Luftwaffe broke through the defences; its sights set directly on Buckingham Palace.
With his ammunition exhausted and just seconds to spare, Holmes made an extraordinary decision: he rammed the bomber head-on. He destroyed the enemy aircraft along with his own, bailing out as his Hurricane crashed into Buckingham Palace Road, narrowly sparing the Palace itself.
The action became one of the most iconic moments of the Battle of Britain – a lasting symbol of the courage of “The Few”.
Unearthing a Forgotten Legend
For more than sixty years, the remains of Hurricane P2725 lay buried beneath London’s streets. In 2004, following extensive research, aviation excavation specialist Christopher Bennett led a successful recovery of the wreckage. The excavation was televised live, and parts of the aircraft, including sections of its Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, were unearthed.
From Wreckage to Coin
Some recovered pieces were preserved in museums, while others found new purpose through TMB Art Metal, a London-based company owned by Bennett and named after the aircraft’s squadron code, TM-B.
Using fragments of the original Hurricane aluminium, the company creates carefully curated commemorative objects. One of the very first ever Hurricane sculptures crafted from the recovered metal was gifted to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh.
And, it’s one of these pieces created by TM-B Art Metal that now takes centre stage in the Battle of Britain Silver Masterpiece Coin.
Rather than simply depicting the Battle of Britain, the coin incorporates an authentic piece of metal from Hurricane P2725, embedded into the design as a propeller.
This propeller is a direct physical link to the events of 1940 – metal that once flew above London in defence of a nation, now preserved as a lasting tribute.
Because the supply of original Hurricane metal is so limited, only 495 Battle of Britain Silver Masterpiece Coins were created, and now fewer than 10% now remain.
If you would like to own a genuine fragment of this extraordinary story, a piece of an aircraft that helped defend Britain at its darkest hour, you can discover more or secure your coin here, while availability remains.
Meet Ellen – After serving in the Armed Forces, Ellen now gives back through her role as a Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal volunteer.
Earlier this year, we decided we wanted to honour some of the extraordinary Poppy Appeal volunteers who help raise vital funds for the Royal British Legion. The people who give their hours, their energy, and their hearts to support the Armed Forces community.
As a small token of recognition, we gifted ten of the first ever commemorative Poppy Pounds to ten committed RBL volunteers.
Today, we are able to share the words of volunteer Ellen Anderson, and to let her tell everyone how having served in the Armed Forces herself, she is happy to now be able to help give back through the RBL.
Can you tell me your name, where you’re from, and a little bit about your affiliation with the Royal British Legion?
My name’s Ellen Anderson. I live in Cardiff, and have been volunteering with the RBL since 2019.
How did you first get involved with the RBL?
I always knew I wanted to volunteer for a service charity when I retired, and I first started coming in to the RBL pop-in centre in Cardiff one day a week, but then Covid hit and volunteering became a bit difficult. The Poppy Appeal Manager came in one day and said they were looking for help to cover different areas of Cardiff and I volunteered to become a Poppy Appeal Organiser for the city centre, and I’ve been doing it ever since.
How long have you been fundraising for the RBL?
I’ve been fundraising for the RBL for 6 years now. I love what I’ve been doing and over the years have taken on more responsibility. The people in Cardiff are so generous. In the current year [2024/2025] my area of Cardiff City centre has raised over £60,000 for the Poppy Appeal, and I’m really proud of my team of volunteers who helped us achieve that.
What does it mean to you to support the RBL?
My husband and I both served, and I know people who’ve been helped by the RBL, so I’m very pleased to be able to give something back. Being involved in the charity helps keep that military connection in your life too, which is really nice. Remembrance and the Poppy is very important to me and I think of the brave service of people who help keep us safe on a daily basis. A lot of people think the Poppy means the First and Second World Wars, but for me it’s remembering people today too. During the Remembrance period, when I’m standing there for those two minutes silence, it’s people like that I remember, and that’s why I want to give back.
Have you seen the impact of the RBL’s work first-hand? Could you share an example?
Since I started volunteering for the Royal British Legion, I’ve met a number of people who tell me about the help they’ve received from the charity, including someone who was able to buy some furniture for her new home and someone who has been supported by the Admiral Nurses when she was caring for her husband who suffers from dementia. I also know someone who had an injury but was helped a great deal in coping with it following a trip to the RBL Recover Centre. It’s extremely encouraging to receive personal testimony from people who have sought help from the charity. It makes all our hard work workwhile.
What would you say to anyone considering volunteering for the charity?
DO IT! When you retire it’s a critical time in your life, and finding volunteer opportunities with the RBL gave me a purpose for getting up in the morning. It was a real lifeline! It keeps your brain active, you make friends, and you’re doing something that’s helping somebody else. It’s a win, win situation!
What do you think about this new coin issued in support of the RBL?
All too often, in the busyness of work, service can be forgotten and it’s good to see support for charities like the RBL. The coin itself is well-designed and I think this will bring it to the attention of collectors and the public. I’m delighted that the Westminster Collection is supporting the charity in this way.
Ellen is very passionate about the benefits of becoming an RBL volunteer, if her words have inspired you, you can click here to find out more about how you could volunteer with the Royal British Legion.
Or you can purchase your own Poppy Pound, with a percentage of each one sold going directly to the RBL. This coin marks a landmark moment in coin collecting: the first-ever British Isles commemorative 12-sided £1 coin. Click here to see the full range >>
