2004 Roger Bannister Four Minute Mile Running Legs Fifty Pence Piedfort Silver Proof Coin

*As with all silver coins please expect to see light toning/clouding*

Roger Bannister was the first person to run a mile in less than four minutes. He achieved this athletic feat at the age of 25 on 6 May 1954 on an Oxford University running track. He ran the mile circuit it a record breaking 3:59.4. In the 65 years since, the ‘four minute barrier’ has been broken by more than 1,400 athletes with the current fastest time standing at 3:43.13. Bannister was a junior doctor when in 1954 and went on to become a neurologist. This Fifty Pence piece is a tribute to his achievement. It was designed by sculptor James Butler. He’s also the artist behind the 2005 £5 Crown commemorating the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Butler’s design shows the running legs of an athlete, set over a stopwatch that shows a time of just under four minutes. The words ’50 PENCE’ appear below. On this 50p coin, the Roger Bannister reverse is paired with Ian Rank-Broadley’s portrait of Her Majesty the Queen. In use between 1998 and 2015, this if the fourth official effigy of Elizabeth II used on her coinage. This double-weight piedfort edition is struck in 16.00 grams of .925 sterling silver. It’s finished to proof standard with specially prepared dies. Only 4,045 of these piedfort silver proof Running Legs 50ps were struck by The Royal Mint in 2004. This example comes in its box of issue with a certificate of authenticity included.