Posts Tagged ‘Star Wars’
Official UK Star Wars™ 50ps RELEASED!
For the first time, iconic characters from the original Star Wars™ trilogy feature on official UK coins in a four-coin collection celebrating 40 years since the release of Return of the Jedi™.
Han Solo™ and Chewbacca™ 50p
The fourth and final character duo coin in the UK Star Wars™ 50p series is here! It features Rebel Alliance hero, Han Solo™ and his trusty co-pilot and lovable Wookiee, Chewbacca™.
The two friends take centre stage on this brand new 50p coin. Stood side-by-side, the dynamic duo are seen in front of the ship Han Solo™ captains – the Millennium Falcon.
Special design feature
Like the past three coins in the series, the out-of-this-world Han Solo™ and Chewbacca™ 50p includes a special lenticular feature, which changes between the insignia of the Rebel Alliance and the Millennium Falcon.
Rarely seen on 50p coins, this special minting technique adds to the collectability of these already popular coins.
As two of the most popular Star Wars™ characters, and two of the galaxy’s closest of friends, it’s only fitting this pair deserve a place on a UK 50p coin together!
Bespoke packaging
What’s more, each coin in the UK Star Wars™ 50p series comes housed in new, bespoke packaging, which fits perfectly into your Change Checker Album.
Luke Skywalker™ & Princess Leia™ 50p
The third coin in the UK Star Wars™ 50p series has finally been released, and features none other than the galaxy’s most iconic brother-sister duo… Luke Skywalker™ and Princess Leia™
That’s right, the third coin in the UK Star Wars™ 50p series features the much-loved Jedi, Luke Skywalker™ and Rebel Alliance leader, Princess Leia™.
Special design feature
As we’ve come to expect with these extraordinary coins, a special lenticular feature appears above the iconic duo. On the Luke Skywalker™ and Princess Leia™ 50p coin, this unique feature shows the Winged Jedi Crest when tilted one way, and the Rebel Alliance Starbird when tilted the other way.
We rarely see this minting technology on UK 50p coins, which is bound to add to the collectability of these already popular coins.
Luke Skywalker™ can be seen holding his lightsabre in the foreground, whilst Princess Leia™ is seen stood to his right. Twins Luke and Leia are two of the Star Wars series’ most famed characters, so it’s no surprise they’re on a coin together!
Darth Vader™ & Emperor Palpatine™ 50p
The eagerly awaited second coin in the UK Star Wars™ 50p series has finally been released, and this one takes us over to the Dark Side…
That’s right, the latest coin in the UK Star Wars™ series features the deadly duo of Darth Vader™ and Emperor Palpatine™. A far cry from the loveable R2-D2™ and C-3PO™ who featured on the very first UK Star Wars™ coin.
This brand new UK 50p features enemies of the Rebel Alliance, Darth Vader™ and Emperor Palpatine™, as well as a special lenticular feature. On the Darth Vader™ and Emperor Palpatine™ 50p, this unique feature shows the symbol of the Galactic Empire when tilted one way, and the Death Star when tilted the other way.
We rarely see this minting technology on UK 50p coins, which is bound to add to the collectability of these already popular coins.
Darth Vader™ can be seen wielding his lightsaber in the foreground, whilst a cloaked Emperor Palpatine™ lurks in the background. In terms of villains in the Star Wars™ franchise, no duo is more memorable than Vader™ and Palpatine™, so it’s only fitting that they represent the Dark Side on this coin.
R2-D2™ & C-3PO™ 50p
The collection began with a design featuring R2-D2™ and C-3PO™, which appeared on the first official UK coin dedicated to the iconic movie franchise.
This lovable duo can be seen inside the famed Millennium Falcon, but eagle-eyed collectors will notice a special feature appearing on this new 50p…
The special lenticular feature on the R2-D2™ and C-3PO™ 50p changes between Tatooine and the Rebel Alliance Starbird when tilted in different ways.
Discover a new galaxy of coins
Created in partnership with the Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm, a total of four coins will be released in the Star Wars™ 50p series.
The remaining coin in the series will feature Han Solo™ & Chewbacca™, and can be pre-ordered now.
What’s more, each coin in the UK Star Wars™ 50p series comes housed in new, bespoke packaging, which fits perfectly into your Change Checker Album.
Find out how you can add these coins to your collection here >>
Huge demand expected
Many collectors will want to add these 50ps to their collection simply because they’re new UK releases.
But as they’re also the FIRST official UK coins celebrating Star Wars™ which is such a huge worldwide phenomenon, we’re expecting an additional surge in demand from enthusiasts all over the world!
And, as the Star Wars™ movie franchise has such strong ties right here in Britain, UK collectors will want to act fast to secure these coins.
Will you be adding the new Star Wars™ 50ps to your collection? Let us know in the comments below!
Own the complete UK Star Wars™ 50p collection!
Don’t miss the chance to own the complete UK Star Wars™ Character Duo 50p set for just £19.99 (+postage) >>
Why is Star Wars™ being celebrated on UK coins?
2023 sees the release of the UK’s FIRST EVER Star Wars™ 50ps, and collectors are eager to get their hands on them. The first 50p will feature the lovable duo C-3PO™ and R2-D2™, you can find out all you need to know about these coins here >>
But with Star Wars™ being such a hugely popular global franchise, you might find yourself asking ‘Why is Star Wars™ being celebrated on a UK 50p?’…
Filmed in the UK
Back in 1973 when the idea of Star Wars™ was pitched by then up and coming director George Lucas, many major studios passed on producing the film. Nevertheless, Lucas began working with designers in Kensal Rise, England with no funding to create props and sets. Soon after they began buildings sets at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire.
Credit: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Despite struggling themselves at the time, 20th Century Fox took a chance on Lucas and started production on Star Wars: A New Hope. Filming started in several locations across the world, but returned to Britain where the interior scenes were filmed at Elstree Studios and Shepperton Studios in Surrey. Filming in the UK took 14 and a half weeks in total!
A British cast
Despite Star Wars™ being the brainchild of American director George Lucas, a large percentage of the cast was made up of British actors. Several homegrown actors topped the billings, giving Star Wars™ a very different accent from many other big-budget franchises.
Credit: AP Wirephoto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The British accent began to signify the Empire, with actors such as Ian McDiarmid, Christopher Lee and Kenneth Colly all portraying characters from ‘the dark side’. David Prowse’s Norfolk twang never quite made it into Darth Vader’s repertoire, however.
Harrison Ford once told the BBC that working with a British crew was essentially the same as working with Americans, apart from the fact that they “drink more tea”. It wasn’t just tea that was being enjoyed by the cast and crew however as it’s said that they fully immersed themselves into the ‘after work pub visit’ culture.
Returning to the UK
The franchise returned to the UK for the Phantom Menace, which was largely filmed at Leavesden Studios by British cinematographer David Tattersall.
The late Richard Marquand became the first British Star Wars™ director on Return of the Jedi, a baton picked up by Gareth Edwards for Rogue One many years later.
In more recent years, the Sequel trilogy has seen British talent take centre stage, with the likes of Daisy Ridley and John Boyega taking on leading roles.
Credit: George Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Don’t miss out
With so many ties to the UK, it’s no wonder the global Star Wars™ franchise is being celebrated on UK coins. Don’t forget to sign up for updates about the new UK Star Wars™ 50ps to make sure you’re one of the first to get yours hands on them!
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CONFIRMED – the FIRST EVER UK Star Wars 50p!
On May 4th, the FIRST EVER UK Star Wars™ 50p was announced as part of a brand new UK 50p series! Considering the huge popularity of the Star Wars™ franchise and the fact that these are the FIRST EVER UK Star Wars™ 50ps, they’re sure to be highly sought after.
Everything you need to know about the UK Star Wars™ 50ps…
The UK Star Wars™ 50p series will include 4 brand new UK 50ps celebrating the original Star Wars™ trilogy. The reverse designs will feature depictions of:
- R2-D2™ and C-3PO™
- Darth Vader™ and Emperor Palpatine™
- Luke Skywalker™ and Princess Leia™
- Han Solo™ and Chewbacca™
All of the reverse designs will include the inscription ‘STAR WARS’ and each of the 4 coins will include a unique lenticular feature. Martin Jennings’ UK King Charles III effigy will feature on the obverse.
Which design are you most excited for? Let us know >>
A worldwide phenomenon
Since the release of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope in 1977, the epic franchise has taken the world by storm. The Star Wars™ films, television series and video games all helped to create an all-encompassing fictional universe, amassing one of the largest fan bases in the world.
It’s also one of the highest grossing media franchises of all time.