Posts Tagged ‘Coin collection’
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 >>
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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Fasten your seatbelts, the Harry Potter Flying Car 50p is taking off!
Change Checkers, prepare to embark on a magical journey with the latest 50p from the world of witchcraft and wizardry – the 2025 UK Harry Potter: The Flying Car 50p.
Secure the 2025 UK Harry Potter: The Flying Car 50p for your collection >>
A spellbinding design
This enchanting coin captures the adventure of the memorable scene from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, where Harry and Ron soar above the British countryside in a bewitched Ford Anglia, racing towards Hogwarts.
The reverse design, by Bella Biggs, brings to life the moment when Harry and Ron take flight in the magical car after missing the Hogwarts Express. The illustration is sure to summon the feeling of excitement you felt when first reading or watching the second instalment in the Harry Potter series, and true Harry Potter fans won’t want to miss seeing this coin in the flesh!
Which scene from the Harry Potter stories would you like to see featured on a UK coin? Let us know in the comments!
Continuing the magical journey
The 2025 Harry Potter: The Flying Car 50p isn’t the first time the beloved wizard has featured on a UK coin…
The release follows the 2024 Harry Potter: The Black Lake 50p, illustrating the tense underwater task during the Triwizard Tournament from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Also issued in 2024 was the Harry Potter: The Winged Keys 50p, which depicted Harry’s skilful broomstick flying skills whilst chasing the enchanted flying key in Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone.
Not to be forgotten of course is the 4-coin 50p series featuring recognisable characters or locations from the stories, issued in 2022 and 2023 to celebrate 25 years since the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The very first coin featured Harry Potter himself, followed by the Hogwarts Express train, Professor Dumbledore and Hogwarts School.
These coins were extremely popular with collectors, so much so that they’re now all no longer available from The Royal Mint!
Don’t let this coin fly past you!
Given the popularity of previous Harry Potter themed coins, you should act quickly to secure this latest magical 50p for your collection.
Add the 2025 UK Harry Potter: The Flying Car 50p to your collection today >>