The Alan Turing 50p is a remarkable coin issued by the Royal Mint, commemorating the life and contributions of Alan Turing, an English mathematician and computer scientist. Let’s delve into the fascinating details of this coin:
About The Coin
The Alan Turing 50p was released in July 2022 as part of the Innovation in Science series. This series celebrates scientific discoveries by British scientists and inventors.
Turing, known as the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, played a crucial role in decoding messages during World War II.
The coin is the sixth and final release in the series, following coins honoring Stephen Hawking, Rosalind Franklin, John Logie Baird, Charles Babbage, and the discovery of insulin.
Design
Reverse Design
The coin features a depiction of a Turing machine on the left, with the inscription “ALAN TURING” around the edge.
Hidden Codes: On the right side, several letters contain three hidden codes. These codes represent a what3words address: ///gears.grin.than. This pinpointed location corresponds to Turing’s alma mater, Cambridge University.
Obverse Design
The obverse displays the fifth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Jody Clark. Her initials appear below the portrait, and the inscription reads “ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2022”.
Availability and Value
The Alan Turing 50p is not intended for circulation. Instead, it was available in various uncirculated finishes:
Brilliant uncirculated: £10.00
Silver proof: £57.50
Silver proof piedfort: £102.50
Gold proof: £1,150
Once sold out, prices are likely to increase over time.
Hidden Code
The what3words address “GEARSGRINTHAN” corresponds to a specific location associated with Turing’s legacy.
In summary, the Alan Turing 50p is a fitting tribute to a brilliant mind whose impact on computer science and codebreaking continues to resonate