Coin Pièce Isle of Man 50 pence Copper-Nickel 2023

This 50 pence coin was issued in 2023 by the Isle of Man, a British Crown dependency in the Irish Sea with its own monetary authority. It belongs to a series dedicated to wildlife, featuring the Peregrine Falcon, known by its Gaelic name Shiaghyree, a raptor renowned for being the fastest bird in the world in a dive, capable of reaching speeds exceeding 300 km/h.

The reverse effigy depicts this bird of prey with particular attention to the details of its plumage, a hallmark of Isle of Man issues which traditionally place great emphasis on the artistic quality of their wildlife representations. The Peregrine Falcon is found in many regions of the world, including the British Isles, and its representation under the Gaelic name reflects the Isle of Man's connection to its linguistic and cultural heritage.

The obverse of the coin bears the official portrait of King Charles III, the British sovereign whose effigy has appeared on the monetary issues of Crown territories since his accession to the throne in 2022. This coin is therefore one of the first Manx issues to feature this new royal portrait.

The coin is struck in cupro-nickel, an alloy commonly used for circulation coins due to its durability and resistance to wear. It has a diameter of 27.3 mm and a weight of 8 grams, dimensions in line with the standard format of the 50 pence coin used in territories linked to the British Crown, recognisable by its distinctive heptagonal shape with seven rounded sides. Its face value is 50 pence.