Pobjoy week ploughs on with a fifty pence coin issued for the Isle of Man in the usual seven-sided format common to this coin size. This one celebrates the bike racing icons that have contributed to the legendary status of one of the worlds toughest and most dangerous races, the Isle of Man TT. First being run in 1907, it’s become the highlight of the motorcycle racing calendar. Since it’s inception, 246 riders have been killed while competing, six in 1970 alone, and accidents occur repeatedly to this very day. Constantly under threat of being cancelled as an event, it’s nevertheless one of the most anticipated events in all motorsport.

The coin celebrates seven of the most iconic riders to have competed in this Manx event, first and foremost the uber-legendary Joey Dunlop with a staggering 26 wins, closely followed by John Mcguinness with 23. John still competes but Joey was sadly killed in Estonia in 2000 aged just 48, and 50,000 people attended his funeral. The TT’s most successful rider every year is awarded the Joey Dunlop Trophy in tribute.

The coin is proof struck in sterling silver and has a mintage of 5,000 pieces. It’s only 8g in weight, so the price of £45.42 plus tax is higher than most of the mints other coins on a weight basis. Depicting what looks like 1960’s/70’s era racing, surrounded by the names of the seven icons, it’s a design that will have great appeal to fans of motorcycle sport. Available to order now.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

Pobjoy Mint is delighted to announce the release of a new Fifty Pence coin which honours seven of the great TT Motorcycle Race Legends. The coin is released on behalf of the Isle of Man Government.

There is nothing on earth quite like the Isle of Man TT Races. No other motorcycle race is held on such a challenging track as the 37 mile plus Mountain Course with its never-ending series of bends, bumps, jumps, stone walls, manhole covers and telegraph poles. The skill, bravery and concentration required are immense with speeds approaching 200mph. No other motorsport even can boast more than 100 years of such illustrious history, rich in tradition and legends.

Seven of the great TT Legends are celebrated on this new Fifty Pence. The central design shows two motorcyclists racing around the track and the logo is also shown. The names of the motorcycling stars are shown around the seven edges of the coin:

• Geoff Duke OBE – the British multi-time motorcycle Grand Prix road racing world champion dominated motorcycle racing in the 1950s, winning six World Championships and six Isle of Man TT Races.
• Mike Hailwood – regarded as many as on the greatest racers of all time, Hailwood was known as ‘Mike the Bike’ because of his natural riding ability which earned him 14 TT victories and 9 World Championship titles.
• John McGuinness – McGuinness started his winning ways at the Isle of Man TT in 1999 and 2013 saw him add his 20th victory to the record books. He has won just about every solo class from 250cc to Superbike and everything in between with only the TT Zero title eluding him so far.
• Giacomo Agostini – an immensely skilful and courageous rider, Agostini was a real crowd pleaser. The Italian star rode in just 16 TT races and won ten of them. During his TT years he gave the crowds many thrilling races and is especially remembered for the spectacular battle between himself and Hailwood in the Diamond Jubilee Senior TT.
• David Jefferies – a ‘giant’ of a racing competitor, the six times winner first rode in the TT in 1996 and took the newcomers award. In 1999 Jefferies joined the elite band of riders to record a hat-trick with victories in the Formula One, Production and Senior, a feat he repeated in 2000 and 2001.
• Bob McIntyre – McIntyre secured his place in TT history as the first man to break 100mph on a motorbike which does not sound like such a feat in this day and age, but in 1957 it was compared to the four minute mile or breaking the sound barrier.
• Joey Dunlop – ‘King of the Road’ Joey Dunlop OBE MBE first saw the course in 1976. Altogether his number of wins total a record breaking 26 wins. In 2005 Joey Dunlop was voted the fifth greatest motorcycling icon ever.

The obverse of each coin bears a fine couped effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Man by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS. Available in Cupro Nickel and Proof Sterling Silver, each precious metal coin has been carefully struck four times and details to perfection.

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