Posts Tagged ‘Coin Collecting’
The Royal Arms reimagined – King Charles III’s Coat of Arms features on a UK coin for the first time
Over 2 years after he acceded to the throne, His Majesty King Charles III’s Royal Coat of Arms, a powerful symbol of sovereignty and national identity, has made its debut on a UK coin.
The Royal Arms reimagined
For over a millennium, the Royal Arms have represented the authority of the monarchy, appearing on everything from official government documents to British passports. While previous monarchs’ arms have graced our coinage before, this is the first time that King Charles III’s Royal Coat of Arms has featured on a UK coin.
Image Credit: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The 2025 Coat of Arms of King Charles III £5 marks a new chapter in British history, featuring a stunning heraldic design by Timothy Noad. Noad’s interpretation of the Royal Arms balances tradition with modernity, showcasing the shield supported by the lion and unicorn, along with regal symbolism that reflects His Majesty’s commitment to heritage, duty, and service.
A history of Royal Arms on UK coinage
Although this is the first time King Charles III’s Coat of Arms has featured on a UK coin, it joins a prestigious lineage of coins bearing the Royal Arms.
During Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, the Royal Coat of Arms appeared on the first £1 coin, which was first issued in 1983 to replace the less robust £1 note. The Royal Arms round pound was issued in 1983, 1993, 2003 and 2008 and featured a stylised Queen Elizabeth II Coat of Arms designed by Eric Sewell, chief engraver at the Royal Mint.
In 2015, the Royal Mint revealed a new design for the Royal Arms £1 coin, featuring Timothy Noad’s contemporary adaptation of the traditional Royal Arms design. It was one of the last commemorative designs to feature on the round pound coin, however the 2015 Royal Coat of Arms £1 didn’t enter circulation
Secure the 2025 Coat of Arms of King Charles III £5
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply someone who appreciates the fusion of artistry and history, this coin represents an extraordinary moment in UK numismatic heritage.
Secure the 2025 Coat of Arms of King Charles III £5 for your collection >>
UK 50p celebrates 80 years since VE Day
2025 marks 80 years since VE Day and, as is tradition for poignant historic events, a UK 50p coin has been issued to celebrate the anniversary.
Add the 2025 VE Day 50p to your collection >>
A day of “solemn thanksgiving”
VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, marked the official end of World War II in Europe. On 8th May 1945, after nearly six years of conflict, Allied forces formally accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. For millions across Britain and the Commonwealth, it was a day of immense relief, reflection, and celebration.
Image Credit: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Street parties erupted across the UK, with people gathering to cheer, dance, and remember the sacrifices made by servicemen and women. Winston Churchill addressed the nation, calling it a day of “solemn thanksgiving.”
A symbol of Peace and Goodwill
The 2025 VE Day 50p features a beautifully detailed peace dove with an olive branch in its beak, an image that’ll be familiar to many collectors. The design echoes the much-loved 1995 Peace single metal £2 coin, which was issued to mark 50 years since VE Day. That coin quickly became a favourite for collections due to its elegant simplicity and powerful symbolism, and the same reception is expected for the 80th anniversary of VE Day 50p.
Above the dove is the inscription “IN PEACE GOODWILL”, taken from the iconic quote ‘In War, Resolution; In Defeat, Defiance; In Victory, Magnanimity; and in Peace, Good Will‘ in Winston Churchill’s book, The Second World War.
The words ‘VE DAY’ and the date ‘8 May 1945’ feature on the exergue, a reminder of the hope and relief that swept across Europe as World War II came to a close on the continent.
A legacy of VE Day coins
This isn’t the first time that VE Day has been commemorated on a UK coin, but it is the first time it’s featured on a UK 50p.
As mentioned above, the 50th anniversary of VE Day was celebrated on a single metal £2 coin in 1995, featuring a peace dove carrying an olive branch in its beak.
25 years later in 2020, another commemorative £2 coin was issued to mark 75 years since the end of the war in Europe. That coin, featuring a crowd celebrating peace in the streets and the words “Victory in Europe Day”, was widely praised for capturing the emotion and joy of the historic day.
Collectors have long shown a keen interest in UK coins that commemorate key moments in military history, and this was most evident last year, when the 2024 D-Day 50p was issued to mark 80 years since D-Day. The design featured troops landing on the beaches of Normandy, a pivotal event that led to the eventual victory in Europe.
These coins, now with the addition of the 2025 VE Day 50p, represent the powerful story of Victory in Europe across generations, and are a must have for collectors of military themed coins.
Add the 2025 VE Day 50p to your collection
With its deeply symbolic design and historical importance, the 2025 VE Day 50p is sure to resonate with collectors across the UK and beyond.
How rare is my Salmon 50p?
In October 2024, the 2023 Salmon 50p knocked the Kew Gardens 50p off the top spot and became the new rarest UK 50p in circulation! With a circulating mintage of just 200,000, there are 10,000 less 2023 Salmon 50ps in circulation than the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p, which has been the rarest UK 50p for the last 15 years.
Since the news, collectors have been rushing to find one in their change, but there has been some confusion over which version of the Salmon 50p is actually rare. Let us explain the difference between the different versions and clarify which Salmon 50p is the RAREST UK 50p!
2023 New UK Coinage Sets
The first time we saw the Salmon 50p was in the New UK Coinage set for King Charles III issued in October 2023, which featured 8 brand new designs – from the 1p to the £2 – to usher in the reign of King Charles III.
Each of the new designs featured iconic British wildlife in line with His Majesty’s keen interest in wildlife conservation and plant life.
Although we’d already seen several commemorative 50p, £2 and £5 coins issued bearing His Majesty’s effigy on the obverse, this was the first time we saw his portrait feature on the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and £1.
As well as brand new designs on both sides, these coins also featured a special ‘Privy Mark’ on the obverse – a small crown next to His Majesty’s effigy on the obverse.
This special feature was intended to set the coins in the set apart from those you’ll find in your change once they start to enter circulation.
It’s not yet been announced how many Salmon 50ps in New UK Coinage sets were issued for collectors, but it’s not the Brilliant Uncirculated Salmon 50p with the privy mark you should be looking out for…
Circulating 2023 Salmon 50p
In November 2023, it was announced that an estimated 500,000 2023 Salmon 50ps without the privy mark had entered circulation, and collectors rushed to their local post offices and banks to try and get their hands on one. People were struggling to come across a Salmon 50p in the wild, and it became apparent why almost a year later.
On 7th October 2024, it was announced that only 200,000 2023 Salmon 50ps entered circulation the previous year – less than half of the original estimated amount! That means just ONE in 335 people in the UK could have the chance of snagging one.
In fact, in a recent poll, just 30% of people surveyed said they’d been lucky enough to find a 2023 Salmon 50p in their change!
What about the 2024 and 2025 dated Salmon 50ps?
At the beginning of each year, The Royal Mint issues an Annual Coin Set which usually includes 5 commemorative coins from the year ahead and a full set of definitive coins dated that year. The Salmon 50ps that were issued as part of the 2024 and 2025 Annual Sets will not enter circulation and don’t feature the privy mark on the obverse.
Although it’s incredibly unlikely, if you do happen to come across a 2024 or 2025 dated Salmon 50p in your change, it will have most likely been broken out of an Annual Set and spent.
So how much is my Salmon 50p worth?
It’s worth remembering that it’s the circulation 2023 Salmon 50p without the privy mark that is the rarest UK 50p due to its low mintage figure, and it’s this version which will fetch you a pretty penny on the secondary market.
Some sellers have been listing the Brilliant Uncirculated 2023 Salmon 50p WITH the privy mark on the secondary market for hefty sums, however these are likely to have been broken out of the New UK Coinage Set and will not be one of 200,000 Salmon 50ps in circulation.
Our latest eBay Tracker update revealed that a circulating 2023 Salmon 50p could fetch more than £83 on the secondary market – a 477% increase since before the mintage figure announcement!
Have you caught a Salmon 50p?
Are you one of the lucky collectors who have already caught a 2023 Salmon 50p in your change? Let us know in the comments if you have and where you found it!
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