50p Coins
UK 50p commemorates the 80th Anniversary of D-Day
2024 marks 80 years since the day that turned the tide of the Second World War, and in commemoration, a UK 50p has been released to honour the D-Day landings.
Add the 2024 UK Day-Day 50p to your collection >>
A momentous day
On 6th June 1944, 156,000 Allied troops arrived in Normandy by land, sea and air to launch their assault on Nazi-occupied France. Codenamed Operation Neptune but commonly referred to as D-Day, it was the largest seaborne invasion in history.
Image Credit: SHAEF [Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces] Public Relations Division., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
With this year marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day, these events will soon move beyond living memory, so it’s now more important than ever to commemorate this incredibly poignant day in history.
“We shall fight on the beaches”
The design of the 2024 D-Day 50p, created by renowned sculptor David Lawrence in collaboration with Imperial War Museums, depicts brave Allied troops risking their lives on that fateful day. In the foreground, soldiers disembark a landing craft onto the beaches whilst planes fly overhead approaching by air.
The landings took place at five assault beaches along a 50 mile stretch of the Normandy coast, they were given the codenames Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword – all of which are inscribed along the bottom of the design.
Recreated in sand
To celebrate the unveiling of the 2024 UK D-Day 50p, the coin’s design was recreated in the sand on Gold beach in Normandy. The sand art measured 35 metres across and took more than 5 hours to create!
Image credit: The Royal Mint
French sand artist Jehan-Benjamin Tarain worked with fellow artist Sam Dougados to create the piece. Tarain said that is was ‘extremely special’ to be part of a project that “plays an important reminder of the united allied effort between French and British forces 80 years ago”.
Previous UK D-Day coins
This isn’t the first time that D-Day has been commemorated on a UK coin…
Most recently, the 2019 D-Day £2 coin was issued to mark 75 years since the landings. It featured a design by renowned Royal Mint engraver, Stephen Taylor, showing 5 arrows, each pointing across the English Channel to one of the Normandy beaches. Although this coin didn’t enter circulation, it was extremely popular with collectors.
A £2 coin that did enter circulation is the 2005 60th Anniversary of the end of World War Two £2, which was issued to mark 60 years since Winston Churchill announced VE Day – marking the end of World War Two. The reverse design features a depiction of St Paul’s Cathedral which survived the Blitz to become a great symbol of hope to a war-torn nation. The edge inscription reads – IN VICTORY: MAGNANIMITY, IN PEACE: GOODWILL – part of the famous maxim that prefaces Churchill’s history of the Second World War.
The 1994 D-Day 50p was issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. This coin was originally issued in the larger 50p specification, meaning you’re no longer able to find it in your change. It was later re-issued in 2019 in the smaller 50p specification, however this version didn’t enter circulation.
Interestingly, the 1994 D-Day 50p was voted the all time favourite 50p coin by Change Checkers, so I’m sure the 2024 D-Day 50p will prove just as popular with collectors.
Secure the 2024 UK D-Day 50p
As this will likely be the last milestone anniversary of D-Day to be observed by those who served, it’s hugely important to commemorate this moment in history.
Add the 2024 UK D-Day 50p to your collection for just £5.99 (+p&p) >>
Harry Potter The Winged Keys 50p – Catch it while you can!
Attention collectors – the enchanting 2024 UK Harry Potter: The Winged Keys 50p is flying your way! But it’s more than just a coin, it’s a portal to the wondrous world of Harry Potter…
Based on one of the most memorable moments from Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone, the Winged Keys 50p features Harry soaring around an underground chamber on his broomstick, chasing after fluttering winged keys. Harry was, of course, joined by best friends Hermione and Ron in this thrilling scene, and the design on this coin perfectly captures the trio’s camaraderie and adventure as they attempt to get one step closer to the Philosopher’s Stone.
But what makes this coin truly special isn’t just the stunning design and feeling of nostalgia it sparks, but the story it tells – a tale of friendship, bravery, and the sheer joy of discovery.
Magical Detail
You might need to get your magnifying glass out for this one, as there are so many incredible details to see! The first thing that draws your eye is Harry Potter himself in the centre, riding his broomstick and reaching out for the old key with the broken wing. But there is so much more to see…
If you look closely, you can make out the details on the walls of the tall chamber the scene takes place in, as well as a mischievous looking stone gargoyle sat atop of the very door that Harry and his friends are trying to open. Either side of the gargoyle are carved snakes winding their way up pillars and torches lighting the way.
And I haven’t even touched on the plethora of flying keys there are to spot, you really do have to see the coin for yourself to find them all!
Will you be adding The Winged Keys 50p to your collection to see the detail for yourself? Let us know in the comments!
Previous Harry Potter Coins
Seasoned collectors will know that this isn’t the first time Harry Potter has featured on UK coins. Back in 2022 and 2023, we saw 4 UK 50p coins issued celebrating 25 years since the publication of Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone.
The designs featured iconic images taken directly from Jim Kay’s illustrated edition of Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone, including Harry Potter himself, the Hogwarts Express train, Professor Dumbledore and of course, where all the magic takes place – Hogwarts School!
All of the coins in the series include the inscription ’25 Years of Magic’ to celebrate the anniversary, and special lenticular features which switch between the number 25 and Harry’s trademark lightning bolt when tilted – a feature never seen before on UK 50p coins!
Shop the magical UK Harry Potter 50p range >>
Continue your Harry Potter 50p Collection
Unlock the magic of the 2024 UK Harry Potter: The Winged Keys 50p for JUST £5.99 (p&p) >>
Spectacular Star Wars™ Spacecraft 50ps flying into your collection!
Get ready to embark on an epic journey through the galaxy with the Star Wars™ Spacecraft 50p series!
This 4-coin series features some of the most iconic spacecraft from the Star Wars™ universe.
Death Star II 50p
The fourth and final coin in the Star Wars™ Spacecraft series features the fearsome Death Star II!
The Death Star is undoubtedly one of the most iconic structures in the Star Wars universe, but unfortunately it didn’t survive the Battle of Yavin. That’s where Darth Sidious came in, insisting that it was reconstructed – and the Death Star II was born.
The reverse design of the Death Star II 50p features the unfinished battle station looming in space, along with the official Star Wars logo.
And here’s the best part, above the Death Star II on the reverse is a special lenticular feature which shows both the Galactic Empire insignia and the distinct outline of the Death Star II when tilted.
Did you know? The Death Star II, codenamed Second Sun, was made from Quadanium steel and was much larger than its predecessor, measuring 200km in diameter!
Secure the 2024 Death Star II 50p for your collection here >>
X-Wing 50p
The third coin in the Star Wars™ Spacecraft series features the versatile X-Wing!
The X-Wing was the Rebel Alliance’s primary dogfighter, and was known for its versatility and exceptional combat performance. As one of the spacecraft that’s become synonymous with the Star Wars™ franchise, it’s no surprise that it features in this series.
The reverse design of this new 50p shows the adaptable X-Wing flying through space, with open S-foils in attack position. If you look closely you can even see 4 laser cannons, one at the end of each wing tip, and the torpedo launchers underneath the main body of the vehicle.
The X-Wing 50p also includes a unique lenticular feature, which shows two different designs when the coin is tilted, the Rebel Alliance Starbird and a silhouette of an X-Wing.
Did you know? The X-Wing was intended to become the backbone of the Imperial Navy’s fleet, however political forces led the Galactic Empire to adopt the more affordable TIE Fighter instead.
Secure the 2024 X-Wing 50p for your collection here >>
TIE Fighter 50p
The second coin in the series represents the dark side, featuring the menacing TIE Fighter! The reverse design shows a TIE Fighter soaring through space, no doubt its engines would be emitting its trademark howl, known to strike fear into the hearts of enemies.
And here’s where it gets even more exciting…this 50p also includes a dynamic lenticular feature! Tilt the coin one way, and you’ll see the emblem of the Galactic Empire, tilt it the other way, and behold the terrifying TIE Fighter!
Did you know? The distinctive sound of the TIE fighter in flight was created by combining and elephant call with a car driving on wet pavement.
Secure the 2024 TIE Fighter 50p for your collection here >>
Millennium Falcon 50p
The Millennium Falcon 50p features a design by Lucasfilm of the ship soaring through space, along with the Star Wars logo.
And here’s the coolest part – this coin also includes a special lenticular feature! Tilt the coin one way, and you’ll see the Millennium Falcon, tilt it the other way and you’ll catch a glimpse of the Rebel Alliance Starbird!
Piloted by dynamic duo Han Solo and Chewbacca, the Millennium Falcon is perhaps the most recognisable ship in the entire Star Wars franchise. She was the star of countless legendary moments, such as making the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs, successfully navigating an asteroid field against 3720 to 1 odds and narrowly escaping the jaws of a giant space worm – to name just a few!
Did you know? George Lucas changed the original Millennium Falcon model at the last minute. He was inspired by a half eaten burger placed next to an olive on a toothpick and changed the shape of the ship to how we know it today.
Secure the 2024 UK Millennium Falcon 50p for your collection for just £5.99 (+p&p) >>
Previous Star Wars™ Character Duos 50ps
Cast your mind back to the previous Star Wars Character Duos 50p series which caused a real buzz in the coin collecting community.
We saw beloved character duos such as C-3PO and R2-D2, Darth Vader and Emperor Palatine, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia and of course Han Solo and Chewbacca feature on these coins. It was the most popular 50p coin series we’ve had in recent years…and the Star Wars™ Spacecraft series is set to be even bigger and better!
Complete your Star Wars™ 50p Collection
Secure your 2024 UK Death Star II 50p for just £5.99 (+p&p) >>
Order the Millennium Falcon 50p >>
Order the TIE Fighter 50p >>
Order the X-Wing 50p >>