Olympic Taekwondo 50p

Summary of Value & Key Facts

The 2011 Taekwondo 50p is part of the 29-coin London 2012 Olympic series. With a circulation mintage of 1,664,000, it sits in the scarce / less common bracket – noticeably harder to find than everyday commemorative 50ps, but more obtainable than the very rare Olympic designs like Football, Judo or Triathlon.

Core specifications and guide values for the standard circulating Taekwondo 50p.

The Taekwondo 50p is one of the more dynamic martial-arts designs in the Olympic series. Its combination of a recognisable sport, mid-low mintage and strong movement in the artwork makes it a favourite target for modern 50p collectors.

• Commemorative theme: Issued as one of 29 designs celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this coin represents taekwondo, a Korean martial art that made its full Olympic debut at Sydney 2000. Team GB’s Jade Jones famously won Britain’s first taekwondo gold at London 2012.
• Design: The reverse shows two athletes in doboks executing high kicks towards each other, with the London 2012 logo above and the denomination “50 PENCE” below. The overlapping figures and angled legs were chosen to give a sense of speed, agility and impact that still reads well at coin size.
• Rarity in context: With 1,664,000 coins in circulation, Taekwondo is clearly scarcer than high-mintage commemoratives, and sits in the “less common / scarce” band of Olympic 50ps. It’s not as rare as Football, Judo, Wrestling or Triathlon, but it appears regularly in lists of more sought-after Olympic designs.
• Circulating vs collector versions:
  • Circulated: Found in change with typical wear and contact marks. Many have already been pulled by collectors, which makes fresh finds less frequent over time.
  • Brilliant Uncirculated (BU): Sold in Royal Mint “Taekwondo” sports cards and coin covers. BU examples show full lustre and crisp detail on the kicks, uniforms and logo, and are the preferred option for higher-grade Olympic sets.
  • Silver / proof issues: A sterling silver BU or proof version was also issued in limited numbers for specialist collectors, sitting in a higher price bracket than the base-metal coin.
• Value behaviour: Recent guides and sold listings cluster around:
  • Circulated: roughly £1.50–£3, typically around £2,
  • BU in pack: around £5–£6 as a central guide, with some examples pushing towards £10 depending on demand.
  Prices vary with market interest in Olympic coins, but mid-low mintage and martial-arts appeal give this coin stable long-term demand.
• Collecting tip: For circulation finds, look for clear outlines on both fighters, readable “50 PENCE” and a sharp London 2012 logo with minimal heavy scratches in the background. For BU or proof examples, intact original Royal Mint packaging and certificates significantly boost long-term desirability and make authentication easier.

Overall, the 2011 Olympic Taekwondo 50p is a stylish, mid-scarcity modern coin – a must-have for anyone building a complete London 2012 Olympic set and an especially nice piece if you’re into martial arts.