Posts Tagged ‘Coins’
Do you own the rarest Olympic 50p?
In 2011, 29 50p coins were released ahead of the 2012 London Olympics and millions rose to the challenge of collecting them all. For many, this marked the start of their interest in coins.
The Royal Mint now estimates that as many as 75% of the Olympic 50p coins have been removed from circulation by collectors, which is a testament to their popularity.
But which Olympic 50ps do you need to look out for…
2009 Athletics Olympic 50p
In 2009, two years before the 29-coin Olympic 50p series was released, nine-year old Florence Jackson became the youngest person to design a coin for circulation in the UK. Her Athletics Olympic 50p design was the ultimate winner of a Blue Peter competition.
Although you may recognise this coin, you may not know that a rare version of this coin exists. When the competition winner was revealed, only 100,000 special edition Blue Peter coin packs were released with a 2009 dated coin – making it the only Olympic 50p without a 2011 date.
That makes this 2009 Athletics Olympic 50p more than twice as rare as the famous Kew Gardens 50p.
Which Olympic 50p is the rarest?
Did you know that only 1,125,500 Football fifty pence pieces entered circulation? It’s definitely the rarest one to look out for and tops our chart as having the smallest mintage figures, which means it is even harder to find than the others.
Although the Olympic Football 50p holds the smallest mintage figure, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s always going to be the most sought-after Olympic 50p. To determine just how scarce and sought-after your coins are, check out our Scarcity Index.
The withdrawn Aquatics ‘error’ Olympic 50p
The Aquatics 50p which we are familiar with today is actually a modified version which removed the waves passing over the swimmer’s face.
Despite the original design being adapted early on – there are still a few of the original coins in circulation.
Although the exact quantity of the original Aquatics design remains a mystery, we know it’s not unusual for these special coins to exchange hands for close to £1000… not a bad return on a 50p coin!
The rarest of the series
It is without doubt that the gold versions of each 50p remain the rarest of the collection.
Unfortunately for collectors, obtaining one of these is nearly impossible as only one gold version of each design was presented to the respective winning designer.
Aside from the precious metal content, their unique status and significance rank them as potentially the most valuable UK 50p coins in existence.
Is this the 30th Olympic 50p?
To the delight of many Olympic 50p collectors, in 2016 The Royal Mint issued a special 50p to wish Team GB success for the Rio Games.
The coin’s obverse features a swimmer with the Team GB logo, the Olympic rings and the inscription ‘TEAM GB’. Designed by Tim Sharp, the coin has been officially endorsed by Team GB and celebrates the spirit of British Olympians.
Although the 2016 Team GB 50p isn’t part of the 29-coin Olympic 50p series, it’s become known as the ‘unofficial 30th Olympic 50p’ – a must have for all Olympic 50p Collectors.
Dual-Dated Team GB 50p
Back in 2020, collectors were delighted by the announcement of the new Team GB 50p, released as part of the 2020 Annual Coin Set to celebrate Team GB’s participation in the Tokyo Olympic Games.
However, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the postponement of the Olympic Games to 2021, this 50p was never individually released in 2020.
Excitingly, this means that there are two versions of the coin – one with the obverse dated 2020 from the 2020 Annual Coin Set and one with the obverse dated 2021 from the individual release.
What’s more, this makes the 2021 UK Team GB 50p one of only a small handful of UK 50ps to feature a dual-date – only adding to its collectability!
Complete your 50p collection
New £2 coin to enter circulation to celebrate the royal wedding
When Kensington Palace confirmed the news that Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle will marry on the 19th May, the nation rejoiced.
And whilst only close family and friends will attend the wedding in less than two weeks time, millions of people will tune in to watch the ceremony on television.
The event will go down in history.
And to mark the occasion, a special commemorative £2 coin has been issued.
Limited number to enter circulation
The new coin has been authorised by the Isle of Man Treasury and has received official approval from Buckingham Palace. But what makes this coin even more special, is the fact that it is the VERY FIRST time that a British Isles specification bi-metallic £2 coin has been struck to mark such a significant royal event such as this.
This official Royal Wedding £2 features two St George’s Chapel bells, engraved with the couple’s official names – HRH Prince Henry of Wales and Ms Meghan Markle.
Most importantly, this coin has been authorised by the Isle of Man Treasury, has full legal status AND a very limited number will enter circulation in the Isle of Man, so Isle of Man based Change Checkers are about to become the envy of collectors everywhere.
The FIRST EVER royal bi-metallic £2 coin
This is the very first time a British Isles standard specification bi-metallic £2 coin has ever been chosen to mark a royal event, so we expect this coin to be extremely popular. And as we already know, coins from the British Isles rarely turn up in our change in the UK, making them some of the most sought-after circulating coins around.
The design depicts two St George’s Chapel bells, engraved with the couples official names – HRH Prince Henry of Wales and Ms Meghan Markle. The Isle of Man Coat of Arms is at the top of the coin with and ornate pattern engraved around the outer edge.
As the first major Royal occasion to feature on any British Isles standard specification £2 coins, this is a very significant moment.
The Happy Couple
It’s reported that Harry and Meghan first met when they went on a blind date in July 2016 after being introduced by a mutual friend.
Prince Harry with his fiancée, Meghan Markle.Alexi Lubomirski / AFP – Getty Images
After four months of secretly dating, the news finally leaked in October 2016 that Prince Harry was dating an American actress.
Harry confirmed his relationship with Meghan on the 8th November, 2016, when he demanded that news outlets respect her privacy.
After months of speculation, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle finally announced their engagement on the 27th November, 2017.
The Wedding Day
HRH Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle will marry on the 19th May, 2018. The marriage will take place in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle at 12pm.
The couple will marry at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Interestingly their decision to wed on a Saturday goes against tradition, as royal weddings usually take place on a weekday. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wed on a Friday and the Queen on a Thursday.
Kensington Palace has said that “around 600” guests will be in attendance, a small crowd compared to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who wed in front of 1,900 guests.
It’s widely suggested that Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be page boy and flower girl.
After the marriage service, Harry and Meghan will undertake a carriage procession from St George’s Chapel through Windsor town returning to Windsor Castle along the Long Walk.
Secure the FIRST EVER royal bi-metallic £2 coin for your collection today
Secure the brand new Isle of Man Royal Wedding £2 coin today in Brilliant Uncirculated quality for £8.99.
Of course your coin will also be protectively encapsulated and certified with a hologram to guarantee its superior quality.
Add this historic Royal coin to your collection today >>
Freedom in the palm of your hand
Exchequer Secretary, Robert Jenrick has seemingly secured the future of Britain’s Penny and Tuppence coins.
Speaking at the historic Trial of the Pyx ceremony on the 27th april, the Treasury Minister launched an impassioned defense of coins.
Describing coins as “freedom in the palm of your hands” he went on to focus on their crucial role in uniting a nation, as well providing simple and easy payment method for over 2.7m Britons.
But most importantly, for those of us fearing the demise of the British Penny and Tuppence, hinted at by Chancellor Philip Hammond during his Spring Statement, he was very clear.
“So the penny is safe. Safe today, safe as long as the British public cherish it and see in it, more than a unit of currency, but a metaphor for the enduring strength and continuity.”