Guernsey 50 pence 1988 - Freesia

The coin's story

This 50 pence coin in the shape of a heptagon with curved sides shows on the reverse a spray of freesia, engraved by Robert Elderton. The freesia recalls greenhouse horticulture, long one of Guernsey's great sources of wealth, as the island shipped its cut flowers to the United Kingdom. The obverse combines Raphael Maklouf's crowned portrait of Elizabeth II, adopted in 1985, with the shield of Guernsey with three leopards. In 1988, the Royal Mint struck only 6,000 pieces for circulation and 2,500 in proof. This large 30 mm module was demonetised on 28 February 1998, after the introduction of a smaller 50 pence coin.