UK Commemorates Pride's 50th Anniversary with Historic LGBTQ+ Coin

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Pride in the UK, the Royal Mint of England has unveiled a special 50p coin designed by LGBTQ+ activist Dominique Holmes. The coin features rainbows, a Progress flag, and the words "Protest, Visibility, Unity, and Equality," marking the first time the LGBTQ+ community has been commemorated on British currency. The coin's release coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first official Pride event in the UK, organized by the Gay Liberation Front in 1972.

With Pride Month just a couple of weeks away, the Royal Mint of England has revealed a very special 50p coin created to represent Pride's 50th anniversary in the U.K. This is the first time in the country's history that it will be commemorating the LGBTQ+ community on currency.

The coin was designed by artist, writer, and LGBTQ+ activist Dominique Holmes and is emblazoned with rainbows, a Progress flag, and the words "Protest, Visibility, Unity, and Equality."

"It humbles me greatly that the words that I coined for the brand, protest, visibility, unity & equality -- will be on an actual coin, opposite the Queen," Asad Shaykh, director of marketing and communications at Pride in London, said as part of the Royal Mint's official announcement. "This queer brown immigrant has come a long way, powered by hope, love, and this city. Nowhere in the world had this been possible, except the U.K. Pride in London feels very proud today."

The first official Pride held in the U.K. was organized by the Gay Liberation Front and took place as a parade from London's Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square on July 1, 1972.

For those looking to add this coin to their collection, it won't be found in circulation: Multiple versions will instead be available for purchase later this summer. In addition to minting the new coin, The Royal Mint further showed its commitment to the community by making a financial contribution to London LGBTQ+ Community Pride.

"The 50th Anniversary of Pride U.K. is a milestone celebration, and it is a privilege to mark 50 years of progress with this 50p coin," said Clare Maclennan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint. "This is the first-ever U.K. coin dedicated to Britain's LGBTQ+ community, with color printing technology capturing the spirit of Pride U.K. with its iconic rainbow colors."