Royal Mint launches new Alan Turing 50p coin with hidden codes

The new 50p coin commemorates Alan Turing’s codebreaking during the Second World War (Photo: Royal Mint)

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A new 50p coin has been released by the Royal Mint to commemorate Alan Turing and his codebreaking during the Second World War.

It is the first time the mathematician’s life and work have been marked on an official UK coin, with gold, silver and base metal versions available.

The coin was designed to honour Mr Turing’s legacy and is the final release in the Innovation is Science 50p series, which recognises some of history’s greatest scientific minds including Charles Babbage, John Logie Baird, Rosalin Franklin and Stephen Hawking.

Where can I get the coin?

The new coin was designed by Matt Dent and Christian Davies and contains three hidden messages inspired by Mr Turing.

The designers have incorporated hidden work sequences representing a Turing quote and a significant location, as well as the designers’ initials.

The reverse side of the coin features Mr Turing’s name alongside a representation of the Bombe machine used in the war.

The coin is available to buy on the Royal Mint website, with the gold proof version priced at £1,150.

An uncirculated Alan Turing 50p costs £10, and a limited edition silver proof coin costs £57.50.

The piedfort coin, which is silver proofed, is priced at £102.50.

Nicola Howell, chief commercial officer at the Royal Mint , aid the coin will be popular with collectors because of the hidden messages included in the design.