Bahamas 50 Cents Third Series Circulating Coin
Coin/Bullion · Royal Mint (United Kingdom) for the Central Bank of The Bahamas
Pattern: Bahamian Third Series Coinage (Modern Port Design)
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
Royal Mint (United Kingdom) for the Central Bank of The Bahamas
Material
Nickel-plated Steel (Note: This item contains no silver content; it is a base metal circulation coin)
Dimensions
Diameter: 22.0 mm; Weight: 5.0 grams; Thickness: 1.7 mm
Description
A modern Bahamian 50-cent piece featuring contemporary iconography of the nation's maritime industry. Unlike traditional silver coinage, this piece utilizes a durable nickel-plated steel composition to withstand daily circulation. The reverse design showcases a large container ship docked at a port with a crane, symbolizing the economic importance of logistics to the island nation.
Key Features
Stylized Merlion-like curve in the upper left, container ship silhouette, and distinct '50 CENTS' typography; scalloped rim interior border
Material & Composition
Nickel-plated Steel (Note: This item contains no silver content; it is a base metal circulation coin)
Finish & Decoration
Lustrous nickel plating with a reeded edge; features a stylized container ship and port crane with the number 50 and CENTS on the reverse
Hallmarks & Stamps
No silver hallmarks. Obverse would feature the Bahamian Coat of Arms and date; Reverse features the denomination 50 CENTS
Construction Details
Modern die-struck machine manufacturing; steel core with electroplated nickel surface
Functional Features
Standard circulating legal tender for The Bahamas; reeded edge for tactile identification and anti-counterfeiting
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable (coinage)
Craftsmanship Details
Standard modern industrial minting; clean strikes with clear relief, though lacking the hand-finished detail of proof silver coinage
Authentication Indicators
Distinctive Bahamian port design, appropriate diameter/weight for steel-core coinage, magnetic properties due to steel core (a key indicator it is not silver)
Origin & Manufacturing
Nassau, Bahamas (Issuing Authority); minted under contract at the Royal Mint, Llantrisant, Wales
Era & Period
Modern Era (post-2007 redesign series)
Age Estimate
Circa 2007 to present day
Cultural Significance
Represents the modern industrial and maritime identity of The Bahamas, moving away from purely colonial or naturalistic motifs found in earlier series
Condition Notes
Very Good to Extremely Fine; shows surface contact marks and light circulation wear consistent with pocket change
Value Estimate
Face value ($0.50 BSD/USD in Bahamas); essentially metal value (negligible) or face value elsewhere. Numismatic value for a circulated specimen is minimal
Care & Maintenance
No special silver polishing needed as it is nickel-plated; keep dry to prevent oxidation of the steel core if the plating is breached
Similar Pieces
1966 Bahamas 50 Cents (80% Silver), which is larger and features the Bahamian Coat of Arms; various Caribbean nickel-plated steel 50-cent pieces
Interesting Facts
The 50-cent denomination in The Bahamas was originally a silver coin in the 1960s, but like most world currencies, it transitioned to base metals as metal prices rose.