Posts by Rachel
2023 Christmas Coins from around the World!
I don’t know about you, but I am well and truly feeling the Christmas spirit, and now that my Change Checker Advent calendar is counting down to the big day, my excitement is at an all-time high!
But what’s got me even more excited is to see how Santa’s little elves have been busily working away this year to release the most wonderfully festive coins in time for Christmas.
From all across the world we’ve seen renowned Mints issue beautiful Christmas coins that would take pride of place in any collection and I for one would certainly treasure forever (here’s hoping there’s one for me under the tree this year!).
I’ve put together a list of some of my favourite 2023 Christmas coins from around the world that I’d like to share with you, starting of course with the brand new UK Snowman 50p!
UK The Snowman™ 50p
This new release marks the 6th time that The Snowman™ has appeared on our UK coinage!
The very first UK Snowman™ 50p was released in 2018. Since then we’ve been treated to a wonderful new release each year, and you know what, it just doesn’t feel like Christmas until we see the new Snowman™ 50p!
But, what makes this year’s release extra special is that for the first time ever, the obverse features King Charles III’s portrait.
What’s more, the reverse design shows the Snowman™ and James dancing below the Northern Lights – transporting us to the snowy scene straight out of the storybook.
Isle of Man Nativity £2
This traditionally festive £2 coin design from the Isle of Man has been inspired from a Nativity scene depicted on a stained-glass window in Church Kirk Christ, Rushen.
The Isle of Man is well known for their Christmas coins, however last year no such coins were released. But, this year the festivities resumed, as a brand new Christmas £2 coin was released – featuring King Charles III on the obverse for the very first time.
Fittingly, this £2 has been inscribed with the festive greeting ‘Merry Christmas’ in both English and Manx, making for a must-have addition to any Isle of Man coin collection.
Canada Christmas Sledding Lenticular Coin
The Royal Canadian Mint is renowned for its impressive minting technology and this new release reaffirms their excellent craftmanship.
Using lenticular technology, the design of this 50 cent coin changes when titled to create a heartwarming festive scene featuring a polar bear and bunny sledding across the snow.
You’ll notice that unlike the first two coins on our list, this release features Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and that’s because this coin was issued before the Mint revealed their new King Charles III effigy.
Jersey Father Christmas Coloured 50p
Adding a pop of colour to our British Isles Christmas coins is this delightful new 50p release from Jersey.
The obverse design by Glynn Davies is the same King Charles III effigy as seen on the Isle of Man release above, however the reverse design by David Young really sets it apart from the rest!
Santa can be seen in full colour, with a sack of goodies slung across his shoulder – the perfect Christmas scene which is sure to delight both little kids and big kids alike!
Australia Disney 1oz Silver Proof Coin
From The Perth Mint in Australia comes this adorable Mickey and Minnie themed Disney 1oz Silver Proof coin.
Not only was this released in Disney themed packaging, but it was also presented as a hangable Christmas ornament – perfect for collectors down under to hang on their trees!
Just 2,023 of these coins were made available and it’s currently out of stock at the mint – but you can totally see why, as it’s such a fun festive design!
Which of these Christmas coins is your favourite and will you be adding any of them to your wish list this year? Let us know in the comments below!
Own your 2023 UK The Snowman™ 50p
Christmas 50p Coin Ballot Announced!
Now’s your chance to own the sought-after 2009 Gibraltar Christmas 50p Cover by entering the Change Checker Christmas Ballot!
For 108 Change Checkers, Christmas is about to come early, as we’re offering our last remaining stocks of this hard to come by coin for just £35 FREEPOST.
The 2009 Gibraltar Christmas 50p features a festive robin at the centre of the design and comes presented on a First Day Cover, postmarked on the 3rd November 2009. Perching on a snowy branch, the robin is surrounded by falling snow and sprigs of holly – the ultimate symbol of Christmas.
Secondary market snowed under with listings
Historically, Gibraltar Christmas coins have always proved popular with collectors, however this particular 50p is especially sought-after and can sell for over £100 on the secondary market!
Your chance to own it for just £35 POSTFREE
Today, you have the opportunity to enter the Change Checker ballot for the chance to own one of the last few 2009 Gibraltar Christmas 50p Covers we have left for far less than the secondary market listings…
Simply click here and complete a FREE checkout via our normal shopping basket to be entered into the ballot.
The ballot closes on the 8th December and the 108 lucky winners will be contacted via email on the 11th December with details of how to claim the 50p Cover for just £35.
Don’t miss this chance to own one of the very last 2009 Gibraltar Christmas 50p Covers for JUST £35 FREEPOST.
Enter the Gibraltar Christmas 50p Cover Ballot for FREE here >>
Interested in collecting British Isles coins?
Fill the gaps in your circulating British Isles coin collection here >>
Upcoming King Charles III Coins! What we know so far…
The collecting community has been abuzz with excitement for new King Charles III coins, especially since the UK’s new circulating coinage set was released in October.
And so I’m delighted to give you all the updates we know so far about future King Charles III commemorative coins to look forward to.
Read on to find out what’s on the horizon from the UK’s latest Royal Proclamations and get ready to add these upcoming coins to your collecting wish list!
Upcoming 50p Releases
80th Anniversary of D-Day
On 12th April 2024, a Royal Proclamation announced a brand new UK 50p coming soon.
The design of this coin and full details haven’t yet been released, but here’s what we do know:
- For the obverse impression Our effigy with the inscription “· CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE ·” and the date of the year, and for the reverse a depiction of soldiers disembarking a landing craft, accompanied by the inscription “D-DAY 6 JUNE 1944 UTAH OMAHA GOLD JUNO SWORD”. The coin shall have a plain edge.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a D-Day themed UK coin, in 1994 a UK 50p was issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
We also saw a UK £2 issued in 2019 to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The coin features arrows pointing across the English Channel to Normandy. Each arrow also has one of the code names used for each of the beaches where Allied troops landed – Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.
Upcoming £5 Releases
Lunar Year of the Snake
The Lunar Year £5 coins are usually one of the first coins issued bearing the following year’s date. For example, the Lunar Year of the Dragon £5 was issued in September 2023 and was the first 2024 dated UK £5 coin.
The next Lunar Year £5 coin has been announced, and as 2025 will be the Year of the Snake, it’ll feature the snake.
Credit: cafeastrology
Here’s what we know so far about this upcoming coin as per the Royal Proclamation released on 13th March 2024:
- ‘For the obverse impression Our effigy with the inscription “· CHARLES III · D · G ·
REX · F · D · 5 POUNDS ·” and the date of the year, and for the reverse a depiction of a
snake upon grassy landscape with the inscription “YEAR OF THE SNAKE · ”, the date of
the year and the Chinese character for a snake. The coin shall have a grained edge.’
Decades of Bond £5 Series
We’re over halfway through the Decades of Bond £5 coin series, with 3 still to be released. Each coin in this series celebrates a decade of James Bond films, with iconic imagery from the movies and the film titles from each era repeated in the background.
So far, we’ve seen the Bond of the 60s coin featuring Little Nellie from You Only Live Twice, the Bond of the 70s coin showing Wet Nellie, the Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me, the Bond of the 80s £5 which features the Acrostar ‘Bede’ Jet from Octopussy and the Bond of the 90s £5 depicting the iconic Thames River chase scene from The World is Not Enough.
When you consider the huge popularity of the ‘B’ A-Z 10p which was dedicated to James Bond and the 2020 Bond £5 series, there’s no doubt that this theme is loved within the collecting community.
What do you think will feature on the upcoming Decades of Bond £5 coins?
Upcoming £2 Releases
200 Years of the National Gallery £2
The National Gallery £2 was featured in the 2024 Annual Coin Set, however it is yet to be individually issued. Featuring the iconic façade of the National Gallery building, this £2 celebrates the gallery’s 200th anniversary.
We can expect to see the 2024 National Gallery £2 issued individually later in the year, but if you can’t wait to get your hands on it, you can secure it in the 2024 Annual Set.
Winston Churchill £2
Usually, all the coins in the Annual Set are individually released throughout the year, however this year is different, as the Winston Churchill £2 will NOT be individually issued. So currently the only way to get your hands on it is in the 2024 Annual Set.
You can secure your 2024 Annual Set for just £42 (+p&p) here >>
Never miss a future UK coin issue!
With such exciting releases on the horizon, you really won’t want to miss out on these incredible new coins.
So why not take away the worry and guarantee yourself every new UK coin issue, without the hassle of placing orders on launch day?
Join the Change Checker UK CERTIFIED BU Subscription Service and be one of the first to receive new UK coins as soon as they are released!