First look: 2021 Royal Mint Annual Coins Design Reveal!

As we celebrate the arrival of the New Year, at Change Checker HQ we’re also celebrating the arrival of new coins – The 2021 Annual Coins!

We can’t wait to reveal to you the new 2021 coin designs and I’m sure you’ll agree that there are some really fantastic coins to look forward to.

So let’s kick off the year with the coins we’ve all been waiting for, the 2021 Annual Set…

Decimal Day 50p

2021 Decimal Day 50p available within the 2021 Annual Coin Set

This year marks the 50th anniversary since Decimal Day on the 15th February 1971 and to celebrate the biggest change our UK coinage has ever seen, a brand new 50p has been issued.

In commemoration of the anniversary, this brand new 50p, designed by Dominique Evans, features the original Machin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, which featured on the very first 50p back in 1969.

The 50p has become the most-collected and best-loved decimal coin since its introduction and given the significance of this anniversary, I’m sure this 50p will prove very popular with collectors.

John Logie Baird 50p

2021 John Logie Baird 50p available within the 2021 Annual Coin Set

It’s hard to imagine life without television but back in the 1920s, it was a complete unknown.

That was until John Logie Baird successfully produced televised objects in outline in 1924, transmitted recognizable human faces in 1925, and demonstrated the televising of moving objects in 1926. This was the very first-time that television had become a reality and it shaped the world that we live in today.

This brand new 50p, designed by Osborne Ross, celebrates the life and works of this remarkable British inventor, electrical engineer, and innovator.

H. G. Wells £2

2021 H. G. Wells £2 available within the 2021 Annual Coin Set

Herbert George Wells was an English novelist, journalist, sociologist, and historian best known for his science fiction novels The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds.

In the year marking the 75th anniversary of his death, this brand new £2 coin has been issued, feature a design which pays a fitting tribute to his famous novels, with a depiction of the Invisible Man and a Martian encircled by clock numerals.

The inscription also reads one of his famous quotes, “GOOD BOOKS ARE THE WAREHOUSES OF IDEAS”. We love Chris Costello’s design and we hope you do too!

Sir Walter Scott £2

2021 Sir Walter Scott £2 available within the 2021 Annual Coin Set

2021 commemorates the 250th anniversary of the birth of novelist, historian, and poet, Sir Walter Scott.

He is considered both the inventor and the greatest practitioner of the historical novel.

The coin, designed by Stephen Raw, features the text: “SIR WALTER SCOTT NOVELIST HISTORIAN POET” encircled by the inscription “250TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH” and the year date.

Excitingly, this coin also features the edge inscription, “THE WILL TO DO, THE SOUL TO DARE”, a quote from his epic poem, ‘Marmion: A Tale of Flodden Field’.

Queens Elizabeth II 95th Birthday £5

2021 Queen Elizabeth II 95th Birthday £5 available within the 2021 Annual Coin Set.

This year, our Queen will celebrate her 95th birthday and to celebrate, The Royal Mint has issued this £5 coin.

The coin features a design by Timothy Noad, of the Royal Cypher and the inscription “MY HEART AND MY DEVOTION” alongside the date of the Queen’s birth and the year 2021.

In 2016, a £5 coin was issued to celebrate Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday and it proved incredibly popular with collectors, as she became the first British monarch to reach their 90th birthday. As she reaches another significant milestone, I’m sure this celebratory coin will prove just as, if not more popular!


The announcement of the new annual coins is always an exciting moment for Change Checkers, particularly when the anniversaries are as significant as these.

Do you have a favourite coin from the set? Let us know in the comments below!


Secure the 2021 Annual Coin Set to your collection today!

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If you love these coins as much as we do, you can secure them as a set today for JUST £40.00 (+p&p)

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There’s nothing ‘Bah, Humbug’ about these brand new Isle of Man ‘A Christmas Carol’ £2 coins!

A Christmas Carol, published in 1843, is arguably one of Charles Dickens’ most famous novels – teaching us to keep the spirit of Christmas and kindness in our hearts all year round.

2020 Isle of Man ‘A Christmas Carol’ £2 Coin Trio. Secure yours here >>

And, in this 150th year since the passing of the greatest novelist of the Victorian Era, Charles Dickens has been celebrated with the release of three enchanting £2 coins, each inspired by his timeless festive tale, including:

  • Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present
  • Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past and Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
  • Scrooge with Tiny Tim as a representation of his redemption

The 2020 Isle of Man ‘A Christmas Carol’ £2 Set is a truly unique festive addition to any collection this Christmas season, or could even make the perfect Christmas gift or stocking filler for a friend or relative!

We only have a limited stock available for Change Checkers, so don’t miss out on your chance to own this BRAND NEW 2020 ‘A Christmas Carol’ £2 Set for JUST £25.00 (+p&p) by clicking here >>


Following in the popularity of previous Isle of Man Christmas coins, this set is sure to be in high demand amongst collectors.

JUST 3,000 of each design will be entering circulation on the Isle of Man, so these coins will be particularly hard to come by, as i’m sure collectors on the island will be quick to snap them up!

Let’s a take a look at some other festive issues we’ve seen from the Isle of Man…

2019 Santa £2

2019 Isle of Man Santa £2

Traditionally, the Isle of Man release Christmas themed 50ps most years, however last year, this incredibly popular Santa £2 coin was released

This magical design features an enchanting portrait of Old St. Nick and bears the inscription ‘Nollick Ghennal’ which is Manx for ‘Merry Christmas’.

At the top of the coin, the distinctive Isle of Man Triskelion (three armoured legs) can be seen.

2003 Snowman 50p

2003 Snowman 50p

2003 marked the very first time The Snowman featured on circulating coinage.

The Isle of Man released a limited-edition coin to mark the 25th anniversary of the release of the ‘The Snowman’ by Raymond Briggs.

Only 10,000 of these coins were ever minted, which makes it incredibly sought-after. In fact, this coin sells for well over face value on the secondary market, often fetching more than £200!

Since 2003, the Snowman has featured on a number of Isle of Man Christmas coins, and has even made two appearances on UK coins, which have been incredibly popular with collectors!

2018 Hunt the Wren £2

2018 Isle of Man Hunt the Wren £2

On boxing day on the Isle of Man, communities come together across the island to dance and sing in the streets around “the king of all birds” who is paraded around on a pole. 

Hunt the Wren, as it is known on the island has become one of the most popular yet more unusual Manx traditions in practice today.

The practice dates back to Pagan times and is centred on the wren bird, which is hunted and then danced through the streets on a special pole.

This £2 coin was issued in 2018 by The Isle of Man to celebrate the Manx tradition.

2013 Christmas Wreath and Stocking 50p

2013 Isle of Man Christmas Wreath and Stocking 50p. Source: Coin Update.

This festive 50p was issued in 2013 on the Isle of Man and features a traditional Christmas wreath and stocking.

It is estimated that only 30,000 of these coins entered circulation on the Isle of Man, making them particularly sought-after. Due to the island having a population of less than 85,000, mintages tend to be much lower than we see in the UK.


Let us know in the comments below what you think of these brand new A Christmas Carol £2 coins!

Will you be bringing them home this Christmas?


Secure this set of three ‘A Christmas Carol’ £2 coins to your collection today!

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These coins truly are a wonderful addition to any collection and can even make the perfect gift for a loved one!

Secure yours today for JUST £25.00 (+p&p) by clicking here >>

Exciting Upcoming Coin Releases!

We’ve been keeping our eyes on the latest Royal Proclamations and excitingly for collectors, there are some new coins on the horizon!

I’m sure you’re just as excited as I am to hear which themes we can expect for these coins, including those of the 2021 issues!

*** UPDATE ***

As of the Royal Proclamation issued on 18th December 2020, it has been confirmed that a brand new 50p will be released next year commemorating Charles Babbage, the English polymath. Babbage originated the concept of a digital programmable computer and is considered by some to be “father of the computer”.

The coin is said feature to the inscription “CHARLES BABBAGE” accompanied by numbers representing the name Babbage in numerical code. Whilst the actual design remains top secret, we’re certainly excited for this coin’s release!

As of the Royal Proclamation issued on the 13th November 2020, it has been confirmed that a number of £5 coins will be released next year and, excitingly for collectors, there will also me a continuation of the Dinosauria 50p series which was a roaring success in 2020!

Collectors of royalty £5s will be pleased to hear that a new £5 coin is being issued featuring the Royal Cypher and the inscription “MY HEART AND MY DEVOTION” alongside the date of the Queen’s birth and the year 2021.

What’s more, the royal theme continues with the tenth coin in the Queen’s Beasts series, the Griffin of Edward III.

A further two £5 coins have also been announced – one commemorating the Saxon King, Alfred the Great and the other celebrating The Royal Albert Hall, with the inscription “INSPIRING ARTS AND SCIENCES”.

To make sure you don’t miss out on adding these coins to your collection as soon as they are released, you can sign up to the Change Checker £5 Subscription Service here >>

Last year’s Dinosauria 50p collection shook the coin collecting world and this year we’re in for a real treat as a further three coins have just been announced!

Each 50p celebrates the Jurassic Coast discoveries made by English fossil collector, dealer, and palaeontologist, Mary Anning.

The coins are set to feature the Temnodontosaurus, Plesiosaurus and Dimorphodon – fantastic creatures that walked the Earth millions of years ago.

Don’t miss your chance to secure these incredible coins for your collection! Sign up to the Change Checker UK New Issue Subscription Service here and never miss another release >>

David Bowie £5

The Royal Proclamation issued on 16th October 2020, confirms that a David Bowie £5 will be issued this year.

David Bowie. Credit: Wikimedia Commons – RCA Records

Images of the Silver Proof version of the coins have been released and we think the coin looks amazing! It features a portrait of David Bowie himself set against a blue and red lightning bolt, synonymous with the musician and his Aladdin Sane era. We can’t wait to see the BU version when the coin is released!

We can assume this coin will be the latest release in the incredibly popular Music Legends series, in which we’ve already seen a Queen £5 and an Elton John £5 coin.

If you want to make sure you never miss out on owning future new UK £5 issue at the initial release price of just £10.99, including the upcoming 2020 David Bowie £5, you can register for the Change Checker £5 Subscription here >>

Sir Walter Scott £2

It has also been confirmed that a £2 coin will be issued in 2021 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the birth of novelist, historian, and poet, Sir Walter Scott.

Portrait of Sir Walter Scott. Credit: Wikimedia Commons – The Bridgeman Art Library

The coin’s complete design remains a secret, but we do know it will feature the text: “SIR WALTER SCOTT NOVELIST HISTORIAN POET” encircled by the inscription “250TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH” and the year date.

Excitingly, this coin will also feature the edge inscription, “THE WILL TO DO, THE SOUL TO DARE”, a quote from his epic poem, ‘Marmion: A Tale of Flodden Field’.

H. G. Wells £2

A second £2 coin has been confirmed for 2021, commemorating the life and works of H.G Wells.

H.G. Wells. Credit: Wikimedia Commons – Gutenberg.org repost.

Herbert George Wells was an English novelist, sociologist, and historian, best-known for his sci-fi thrillers War of the Worlds, and The Invisible Man.

We can’t wait to see the design for this £2 as The Royal Proclamation alludes to a depiction of the Invisible Man and a Martian encircled by clock numerals. The coin is said to have an inscription which reads “GOOD BOOKS ARE THE WAREHOUSES OF IDEAS”.

John Logie Baird 50p

A 50p has been confirmed for 2021, commemorating Scottish engineer, John Logie Baird, who was the first person to demonstrate a working television.

John Logie Baird and his first publicly demonstrated television system. Credit: Wikimedia Commons – Popular Radio Magazine.

The design of the 50p features the inscription “JOHN LOGIE BAIRD TELEVISION PIONEER” accompanied by a depiction of a television mast emitting circular radio waves with a range of dates relating to John Logie Baird‘s discovery and developments.

Decimal Day 50p

2021 will mark 50 years since decimalisation and as of the Royal Proclamation, it looks as though we’ll be seeing a special 50p to commemorate the anniversary.

Decimal Posters. Credit: The Royal Mint Museum.

The design of the coin is suggested to feature the inscription ‘Decimal Day 1971’ to mark the anniversary.

Given the popularity of the coins issued in 2019 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the 50p, this coin is sure to be sought-after amongst collectors and we can’t wait to see it!

2021 Team GB 50p

Following the announcement earlier this year that the individual release of the 2020 Team GB 50p would be postponed in accordance with the rescheduling of the Olympic Games, the Royal Proclamation confirms we will see a 2021 dated Team GB coin.

It seems as though the design of the 2020 coin will be replicated for 2021, with the exception of the new 2021 date.

Excitingly, this will mean that there are two versions of the coin – one with the obverse dated 2020 from this year’s Annual Coin Set and one with the obverse dated 2021 for next year’s individual release.


We certainly can’t wait to find out more about these coins, but if you want to make sure you don’t miss out on owning them as soon as they’re released, you can sign up to our Change Checker subscriptions service!


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