Posts Tagged ‘UK coin’
There’s a friend of mine that you ought to meet…The 2024 Gruffalo’s Child 50p
Who is this creature with terrible claws and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws…the Gruffalo® of course!
The latest UK 50p celebrates Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s timeless tale, paying tribute to the Gruffalo’s bestselling sequel – The Gruffalo’s Child. Following in the footsteps of the hugely popular 2019 Gruffalo coins, the 2024 The Gruffalo’s Child 50p is sure to delight collectors and fans of the Gruffalo series.
An adorable design
On her quest to find the mysterious Big Bad Mouse, the Gruffalo’s Child comes across several cunning creatures who send her deeper and deeper into the snowy woods, until she eventually finds what she’s searching for. Finally, she meets a mouse, who says he can beckon the Big Bad Mouse, and the Gruffalo’s Child waits, terrified, for it to appear.
The reverse design of the 2024 The Gruffalo’s Child 50p brings this encounter to life, with the mouse sporting a sneaky smirk and the Gruffalo’s Child anxiously anticipating the arrival of the Big Bad Mouse, Stick Man in hand. If you look closely, you’ll even see footprints in the snow and intricate details on the trees in the background.
Is The Gruffalo the UK’s best-loved 50p?
The Gruffalo stories have captured the hearts of readers ever since the first book was published in 1999, and the short film adaptations have also become somewhat of a festive favourite. With such a large following, it’s no surprise that collectors were delighted to see The Gruffalo feature on a UK 50p for the first time in 2019 – celebrating its 20th anniversary. The first Gruffalo 50p quickly became one of the most sought-after 50ps of recent years.
Following the success of the first release, The Royal Mint treated collectors to a second Gruffalo 50p in October 2019 – this time featuring the Gruffalo and Mouse. Similarly to the first Gruffalo 50p, the Gruffalo and Mouse 50p was also incredibly popular with collectors.
Previous Gruffalo coins have been some of the most popular releases in UK 50p history, with silver coins selling out within mere hours! In fact, even the Brilliant Uncirculated coins have all been snapped up by collectors, meaning demand for this new release is already exceptionally high.
Secure your 2024 UK The Gruffalo’s Child 50p >>
Are you one of the lucky ones?
Are you one of the collectors who has a 2019 Gruffalo 50p tucked away in your collection? If so, consider yourself very lucky! It’s these collectors who’ll likely be the first to want to get their hands on the 2024 The Gruffalo’s Child 50p, so you’ll have to be quick to secure yours.
Given the overwhelming success of the previous Gruffalo 50ps and other literary themed coins such as the Beatrix Potter 50ps and more recently, the Harry Potter 50ps – the 2024 The Gruffalo’s Child 50p is set to be highly sought after.
Secure your 2024 UK The Gruffalo’s Child 50p
Secure your 2024 UK The Gruffalo’s Child 50p for just £8.99 (+p&p) >>
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 features Rebel Alliance hero, Han Solo™ and his trusty co-pilot and lovable Wookiee, Chewbacca™.
The two friends take centre stage on this 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 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 feature in the Star Wars™ 50p series.
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 of their stunning designs. But as they’re also the FIRST official UK coins celebrating Star Wars™ which is such a huge worldwide phenomenon!
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 UK Star Wars™ Character Duo 50p collection!
Don’t miss the chance to own the complete UK Star Wars™ Character Duo 50p set for just £45 (+postage) >>
UK 50p celebrates 75 years of the NHS
2023 marks 75 years of our NHS, and to celebrate, a UK 50p was issued.
This coin may look familiar, and that’s because it featured in the 2023 Annual Coin Set released earlier this year, but now you can finally own it individually!
A closer look
The 2023 UK NHS 50p represents the nation’s appreciation for NHS workers and services, with an original design by Alice Lediard. The reverse design features key words associated with the NHS such as dedication, hope, support and compassion. The words ‘National Health Service 75’ can also be seen highlighted in the centre of the coin.
What’s more, The Royal Mint are donating 100% of the profit made from these coins to NHS Charities Together. Over 230 NHS Charities across the UK provide additional support and resources for both staff and patients.
What better way to say thank you for over 75 years or service.
The nation’s service
Since it was established in 1948, the National Health Service has played a pivotal role in the lives of the British public. It provides millions of people with vital care and medical services. This was especially apparent in recent years during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
University of Liverpool Faculty of Health & Life Sciences from Liverpool, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Numismatic history of the NHS
This isn’t the first time the NHS has been celebrated on a UK coin…
1998 50th Anniversary of the NHS 50p
In 1998, a UK 50p was released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the NHS.
The reverse design by David Cornell shows a pair of hands cupping rays of light along with the inscription ‘NHS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY’.
2018 A-Z ‘N’ NHS 10p
Almost 20 years later in 2018, the NHS 10p was released as part of the 26 coin A-Z 10p series.
The series celebrated all things British, so it’s no surprise that the NHS was chosen to represent the letter N. The reverse design shows a stethoscope wrapped around the letter N in the shape of a heart.
The A-Z 10ps have become some of the hardest UK circulation coins to find, with a mintage of only 304,000 per letter.
And that brings us to the 2023 75th anniversary of the NHS 50p, which you can own in brilliant uncirculated quality.
Secure your 2023 UK 75 Years of the NHS Certified BU 50p
Your 2023 UK NHS 50p is presented in official Change Checker packaging so it’s safely preserved for generations to come. Secure yours here >>