D.G. = Dei gratia which means 'by the grace of God'. REG = Regina which means queen. F.D. = Defender of the faith. So, Elizabeth II by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith. The symbol on 50 pence coin has been changed a number of times over the years so it depends what year the coin is that you are referring to. http://www.royalmint.com/Corporate/facts/coins/50pCoin.aspx The 10p coin shows a lion which was for years the proud symbol of Britain's strength. The lion is wearing the crown of the British monarch.

The initials are abbreviated latin words which, when translated into English, mean: By the Grace of God Queen and Defender of the Faith. 50p and 10p coins have many different symbols, so we would need to see a picture of the coins in order to describe them.

The more recent 50p (2010-) shows the bottom part of the crest of the United Kingdom, and the older one shows Britannia who was a symbol of Britain and has been on the currency since 1672. The 10p has a lion it which is a symbol of England, and by denotation Britain.