It’s not every day a coin pays tribute to someone who quite literally changed the way we see the world. But the Royal Mint’s Innovation in Science series continues its proud celebration of British ingenuity with the 2021 release honouring John Logie Baird — the Scottish engineer and inventor most famously credited as the father of television.
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Long before the world was glued to their screens for football finals, royal weddings or breaking news, it was Baird’s work in the early 20th century that laid the foundation for it all. In 1926, he gave the very first public demonstration of a working television system in London — a mechanical marvel that would transform communication and entertainment forever. By 1928, he had achieved another first: transmitting a television signal across the Atlantic.
He might have started with knitting needles, biscuit tins and motors scrounged from scrap, but Baird’s genius brought images to life in a way that had never been seen before. And now, in fitting tribute to that spark of innovation, the Royal Mint has captured his legacy in silver.
The 2021 John Logie Baird 50p Silver Proof Coin is a beautifully crafted piece of numismatic art — one that celebrates both the man and the moment that lit the way for the digital age.
Struck in .925 sterling silver, the coin features a striking reverse design by Richard Talbot and David Eccles. The design depicts the spiral waveforms and broadcast signals that hint at the early cathode-ray technology Baird helped pioneer, with his name boldly inscribed to mark his historic contributions. It’s clean, modern and subtly futuristic — a nod to both the vintage roots and ever-evolving nature of broadcasting.
Specifications:
- Metal: .925 Sterling Silver
- Finish: Proof
- Weight: 8.00g
- Diameter: 27.30mm
- Mintage: Limited Edition Presentation (varies, typically under 5,000)
- Presentation: Premium box with booklet detailing Baird’s legacy
- Royal Mint Issue Year: 2021
The proof finish ensures a mirror-like surface with frosted details, giving the coin a refined, high-contrast appearance — a delight for collectors of British science-themed issues or silver numismatics in general.
More than a coin, this is a miniature tribute to one of Britain’s great inventors — someone whose vision flickered from grainy black and white to the full-colour HD world we enjoy today. The inclusion of Baird in the Innovation in Science series feels like a perfect fit: here’s a coin that speaks of curiosity, courage and technical brilliance.
Whether you’re building a collection focused on innovation, or simply love the idea of owning a little silver slice of broadcasting history, the 2021 John Logie Baird 50p is a worthy addition. And as with all Royal Mint silver proofs, its limited mintage and high finish quality ensure long-term collector appeal.
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