Rosalind Franklin: Royal Mint launches coin to mark 100th birthday of British scientist

Scientist was ‘instrumental in enabling one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century’: DNA

A commemorative 50p coin has been released in honour of British chemist Rosalind Franklin, ahead of what would have been her 100th birthday.

The coin features Franklin’s name alongside a depiction of Photograph 51 – the groundbreaking X-ray diffraction image of DNA, which was captured by the scientist in 1952 with the help of Raymond Gosling at King’s College London.

The design was created by Royal Mint graphic designer David Knapton, who used the printing techniques of the era.

“A straight replication of Photograph 51 wouldn’t have worked on a coin, so I decided to reflect the printing techniques of the era,” Knapton said.

“Adding an A to a third column to line up with the last letters of Rosalind and Franklin to spell DNA felt like a small penny drop moment.”

Available in limited-edition gold Proof, silver Proof and silver Proof Piedfort, as well as a Brilliant Uncirculated edition, the coin acknowledges Franklin’s immense contribution to advancing humanity’s cause.

Franklin played an instrumental role in the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA and in pioneering the use of X-ray diffraction. She was also a world authority on the chemical structure of viruses, as well as coal and graphite.

However, her career was cut short when she died of ovarian cancer aged 37.

Rosalind Franklin: 1920-1958, biophysicist, chemist at work in a laboratory in London, photo 1954 (Rex)

To mark the release, the Royal Mint has gifted Franklin’s sister, Jenifer Glynn, with a silver proof edition of the coin in celebration of what would have been the chemist’s 100th birthday on 25 July.

Clare Maclennan, divisional director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: “This commemorative 50p coin is truly a fitting tribute to a scientist who was instrumental in enabling one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century.”

Professor Ed Byrne, president and principal of King’s College London, added: “I am delighted that today she has been formally recognised for her groundbreaking and wide-ranging work, which has allowed and inspired generations of students, scientists and physicists at King’s and beyond to delve deeper into biophysics, human heredity and to develop treatments for genetic diseases.”

Rosalind Franklin has been honoured with a 50p coin to mark what would have been her 100th birthday (PA)

The new coin is the second in the Royal Mint’s innovation in science series, with the first dedicated to the pioneering work of Stephen Hawking.

The physicist died in 2018 at the age of 76 following a long battle with motor neurone disease.

The coin features Franklin’s name alongside a depiction of Photograph 51 (PA)

The 50p was inspired by Hawking’s research into black holes and his ability to make science accessible and engaging for all.

You can buy Rosalind Franklin's 50p coin here.