The Royal Mint has today unveiled a new commemorative 50p coin honouring Concorde to mark 50 years since the aircraft first carried paying passengers.
The coin was revealed this morning at Aerospace Bristol, the museum that houses one of the remaining Concorde aircraft as its centrepiece exhibit.
The launch marks half a century since Concorde entered commercial service and became a symbol of British and European engineering ambition.
The commemorative coin has been produced in collaboration with British Airways and Airbus.
It celebrates Concorde’s role as one of the most recognisable and technically advanced aircraft ever to take to the skies.
Concorde’s first commercial flight departed from London Heathrow to Bahrain on January 21, 1976.
That journey marked the beginning of a new era in passenger aviation, with supersonic travel capturing global attention for almost 30 years.
The aircraft went on to redefine long-haul travel by dramatically cutting journey times between Europe and destinations such as New York.
The Royal Mint confirmed the new 50p coin went on sale at 9am today.
The coin is available to purchase directly through the Royal Mint’s website, with prices starting from £15.
The Royal Mint confirmed the new 50p coin went on sale at 9am today
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The reverse of the coin features Concorde in flight, depicted soaring through the sky.
Behind the aircraft sits a stylised split-flap departure board, with the name Concorde displayed prominently at its centre.
The design was created by agency Osborne Ross.
The Royal Mint said the artwork aims to reflect both the elegance and power of the aircraft.
Concorde was developed during the 1960s as part of a joint venture between France’s Sud Aviation, later Aerospatiale, and the British Aircraft Corporation.
The partnership brought together engineers from both countries to overcome unprecedented technical challenges.
British Airways operated Concorde for nearly three decades
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The result was a sleek, tailless aircraft capable of flying at more than twice the speed of sound.
Passengers onboard Concorde were able to fly at altitudes high enough to see the curvature of the Earth.
British Airways operated Concorde for nearly three decades.
During that time, the airline’s Concorde fleet completed close to 50,000 flights, and more than 2.5 million passengers travelled on the aircraft over its operational lifetime.
Engineers involved in the development of Concorde later applied their expertise to the design of the original 50p coin.
The seven-sided shape of the 50p was introduced in 1969, with Concorde engineers playing a role in shaping the distinctive curved heptagonal design.
John Britton, former chief engineer of Concorde, attended the unveiling.
“To celebrate Concorde on an official UK coin is a proud moment for everyone who dedicated their careers to keeping her in the sky.
“For me personally, it means my children and grandchildren will be able to hold a piece of that legacy in their hands and understand what British engineering achieved all those years ago.”
Ms Morgan also noted the symbolic link between the aircraft and the coin
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Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said the aircraft represented a defining chapter in British innovation.
“Concorde represents the very best of British innovation.
“The design perfectly captures Concorde’s grace and power and we’re thrilled to mark this significant anniversary with a coin that honours both the aircraft and the engineers whose genius made supersonic travel a reality.”
The Royal Mint said the Concorde coin continues its tradition of celebrating moments and achievements that have shaped Britain’s global reputation.
