A century of life saving innovation: The 100 years of insulin silver proof 50p coin...

In 2021, the Royal Mint continued its acclaimed Innovation in Science 50p series by celebrating a life-saving discovery that has transformed the lives of millions worldwide—insulin. Marking the centenary of this monumental breakthrough, the 100 Years of Insulin silver proof 50p coin not only honours the pioneering scientists behind the hormone’s discovery but also acknowledges the countless lives it has saved since 1921. This coin is a fitting tribute in silver to one of medicine’s most significant and enduring innovations.

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Discovered by Canadian scientists Frederick Banting and Charles Best, insulin was first successfully used to treat diabetes in 1922. Before its discovery, a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes was effectively a death sentence, with no viable treatments. The work of Banting, Best, J.J.R. Macleod, and James Collip transformed a deadly disease into a manageable condition, ushering in a new age of endocrinology and therapeutic medicine. Their discovery earned Banting and Macleod the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1923—a prize Banting famously chose to share with Best.

The Royal Mint’s 50p silver proof coin design commemorates this scientific milestone with striking elegance. The reverse of the coin, designed by artist Iris De La Torre, features a stylised representation of the insulin molecule. The artistic rendering is composed of intricate lines and dots, capturing the microscopic beauty of biochemistry while remaining true to the spirit of scientific clarity and progress. The inscription "INSULIN 1921–2021" reminds us of the century-long journey of research, discovery, and treatment that continues to evolve today.

Struck in .925 fine silver and finished to the Royal Mint’s high proof standard, this limited edition coin was a must-have for collectors of science-themed issues, medical professionals, and anyone whose life has been touched by diabetes. With a limited mintage, the coin comes presented in informative packaging that details the history of insulin’s discovery and the global impact it continues to have.

The 100 Years of Insulin silver proof 50p not only fits perfectly into the Innovation in Science series—alongside coins celebrating Stephen Hawking, Rosalind Franklin, and Alan Turing—it stands out as a token of hope, health, and human perseverance. It reminds us that behind every great coin lies a story, and in this case, it’s a story of saving lives, one injection at a time.

Have you added this coin to your stack or science-themed collection?