Could this be the last ever Scottish 50p?

Could this be the last Scottish 50p?

Could this be the last Scottish 50p?

Scotland has long enjoyed good representation on UK currency, especially on the commemorative coins of the last 30 years.

But with the vote for Scottish independence looming, could this be the end for Scottish themes on coins used across the whole of Britain?

If so, the 50p just issued to mark the Glasgow Commonwealth Games would become the last ever Scottish 50p issued whilst the Union is still intact.

Firsts and lasts

Collectors know that ‘firsts’ and ‘lasts’ are often the most sought after issues.  Sometimes this only becomes apparent in the years following the event – when the true importance of the coin is revealed.

With this in mind, the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games 50p could be one of the most unintentionally important issues of the early 21st century.

You have to go back to 1707 to find the last pre-Union coins, struck during the reign of Queen Anne.  These are now some of the most collectable issues of her reign, and usually the preserve of serious collections only.

So if you happen to be the owner of one of these 50ps, only time will tell how important it could become – regardless it’s a coin with a story of genuine national importance, and one that should definitely be considered for your collection.


If you are interested…

DateStamp(TM) UK Commonwealth Games 50p
DateStamp(TM) UK Commonwealth Games 50p

Our friends at The Westminster Collection have a small number of these 50ps remaining from their Commonwealth Games commemorative range.

They are encapsulated and postmarked on the day of the closing ceremony, making them particularly limited.  Click here for more information.

The latest collecting sensation

Glasgow 2014 has been universally acclaimed as a triumph for Scotland, and although the Games may be over, their legacy lives on with a new commemorative 50p.

History repeating?

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The 2014 Commonwealth Games 50p

The feeling amongst collectors is that this 50p will become one of the most highly sought-after designs for years to come. Early indications are certainly backing this up, with the coin already becoming hot property in the collecting world just days after its introduction.

It reminds me of the last 50p craze back in 2012 when the new Olympic sports designs sparked a collecting revolution. People everywhere in the UK began checking their change and hoarding these special coins as soon as they caught sight of them.

Ever since then it has been much the same story with every new commemorative issue.

On your marks, get set…

The consequence of this collecting frenzy is that commemorative coins in our pocket are now regarded as pieces of treasure and are more frequently being taken out of circulation in their thousands rather than being treated merely as a means of payment.

Coin collectors need to be quick off the mark to get their hands on the latest design. The question used to be ‘when’ will I ever find one? Increasingly it is becoming ‘if’ I will ever find one.


 

 

Collectors paying 700% over face value for a Commonwealth Games 50p

The 2014 Commonwealth Games 50p has already taken the collecting world by storm, with mint condition coins changing hands on eBay just days after entering circulation. 

Ebay 50p Blog

Coins are being sold on eBay for over 7 times their face value

As speculation grows about the mintage of the latest must-have coin, collectors are battling to secure theirs immediately – and they don’t mind where they get them from or how much they pay.

The over-inflated prices are a telling reminder of the lengths which avid collectors will go to for the right coin.

But it’s a familiar story.  Earlier this year Kew Gardens 50ps were being sold on ebay for hundreds of pounds and the coin has since become the Holy Grail amongst Change Checkers.  Nowadays collectors are wary of history repeating, and it seems many are willing to shell out substantially more than face value for the latest commemorative 50p.