The Snowman™ dances onto NEW UK 50p!

It just doesn’t feel like Christmas until the new UK The Snowman™ 50p is released!

You could even say it’s become a festive tradition that each year, the beloved Snowman™ features on a new UK 50p. And luckily for collectors, 2023 is no exception…

In fact, this year’s coin is sure to have collectors dancing for joy. That’s because The Snowman™ has danced his way onto a brand new 50p in a magical scene set against a backdrop of the Northern Lights.

Available now in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality, you can add this frosty friend to your 50p collection in time for Christmas here >>

The Story of The Snowman™ on Coins!

The Snowman™ first appeared on a UK 50p back in 2018 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved festive tale. Since then, we’ve seen a Snowman™ 50p issued each year, making this new coin the 6th release in the series – and the first to feature King Charles III on the obverse.

2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 The Snowman™ 50ps

Over the years, we’ve been treated to some of the most iconic scenes on our coins, taken from the original tale and even the 2012 film, The Snowman™ and The Snowdog™. The Snowman™ and the young boy, James have previously been seen sharing adventures and flying through the night sky, but last year’s 50p was a little different, as the adorable Snowdog™ joined the frosty fellow for the very first time!

Unsurprisingly, the Snowman™ coins prove to be some of the most popular releases each year and now only the 2022 coin is still available at the mint.

But it’s not just UK collectors who are treated to coins featuring the Snowman™…

Over the years, The Snowman has featured on a number of different 50ps from The Isle of Man, some of which are incredibly sought after.

eBay sold listing for the 2003 Isle of Man Snowman 50p

One such coin from 2003 featuring James and The Snowman™ sold for over £250 on the secondary market in 2019 – not a bad return on a 50p coin!

Now collectors have the chance to own the very latest UK release, with James and his snowy friend dancing below the famous Northern Lights – a design sure to melt the heart of any collector this Christmas.

The scene perfectly captures the magic of the heartwarming story, which is read by so many people every year. Just like the tale of The Snowman™, these new 50ps have also become a Christmas tradition, so if you weren’t starting to feel festive already, you should be now!

And if you’re still looking for that perfect numismatic gift this Christmas, or perhaps just a treat for yourself, look no further than the Change Checker Christmas range >>


Own your 2023 UK The Snowman™ 50p in time for Christmas

You can bet this latest coin will be at the top of every collector’s wish list this year, so whether you’re a collector of the Snowman™ 50ps yourself, or you think it’d make the perfect gift for a loved one, you can secure the 2023 UK The Snowman™ 50p for just £4.99 (+p&p) here >>

Own your 2023 UK The Snowman™ 50p in time for Christmas >>

What are Definitive Coins?

Whilst new commemorative coins are issued each year to celebrate some of the UK’s most important anniversaries, did you know that the coins most readily found in our day-to-day change feature the same designs each year? 

These are known as the ‘definitive’ coins, and it’s actually been a whole 15 years since we last saw a change to their reverse designs! 

But, as we now enter a new era of King Charles III, it’s #AllChange for our humble definitive coins, with eight brand new designs set to be revealed this year… 

From the 1p to the £2, these coins have formed the UK’s circulating currency for over 50 years. 

In this blog, we’ll take a look at the history of UK definitive coins and what the future might bring as we look forward to the new releases coming soon! 

The UK’s Eight Definitive Coins

There are eight different coin denominations to be found in our everyday change (1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £2). 

Their story began in 1971, when Britain’s coinage went decimal – a plan which had been in the making for over 10 years! 

Originally, only the 1p-50p coins were released and each featured the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin on the obverse. Their reverse designs had been created by Christopher Ironside, for which he won an OBE. 

Christopher Ironside Decimal Designs 
Credit: The Royal Mint
Christopher Ironside Decimal Designs
Credit: The Royal Mint

Whilst the Queen’s portrait has changed on these coins throughout the years (Raphael Maklouf in 1985, Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS in 1998 with the introduction of the definitive £2 coin and Jody Clark in 2015), it wasn’t until 2008 that the reverse designs all changed and the first definitive £1 was introduced.  

The Royal Shield on Coins

In 2008, the new definitive coins were released. 

Competition winner, Matthew Dent had created a clever design utilising each of the denominations from 1p-50p and bringing them together like a jigsaw to form the Royal Shield – shown in its entirety on the definitive £1 coin. 

Matthew Dent's Royal Shield Definitive Designs
Matthew Dent’s Royal Shield Definitive Designs
Definitive Royal Shield £1
Definitive Royal Shield £1

At this time, the definitive £2 remained unchanged with the Technology design, first introduced in 1998. 

1998 Technology £2
1998 Technology £2

Britannia £2

The very last change we’ve seen to our definitive coins came in 2015, when the £2 reverse design was updated to the iconic Britannia design by Anthony Dufort. 

2015 Britannia £2
2015 Britannia £2

Not only this, but the obverse design for all denominations was also updated in 2015 as the last effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark graced our UK coinage. 

Jody Clark Queen Elizabeth II portrait
Jody Clark Queen Elizabeth II portrait

What’s next for UK Definitive Coins?

Usually, definitive coins are issued each year as part of the Annual Coin Set and then released into circulation based on demand. 

However, following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the introduction of King Charles III’s new coinage portrait, this year has been an exception… 

Whilst a 2023 Annual Coin Set was released, this only featured 5 commemorative designs and no definitive coins. 

2023 Annual Set reverse designs
2023 Annual Set reverse designs
2023 Annual Set King Charles III obverses
2023 Annual Set King Charles III obverses

Throughout the year, many collectors have asked us when the King Charles III definitive coins will be released and what the designs will be. 

Excitingly, it seems that the wait is almost over, as The Royal Mint announced on the 5th October 2023 that we can expect to see new definitive coin designs featuring King Charles III on the obverse very soon… 

This will be the first time that both the ‘heads’ and ‘tails’ sides of coins have changed at the same time, and of course, the first time the King will feature on a UK 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and £1 coin! 

As perhaps the biggest change we’ve seen to UK coinage in decades, we’re expecting a huge collecting rush for the New UK Coinage for King Charles III and can’t wait to see the new coins when they’re released. 

Keep an eye on our social media and website as we’ll be updating you as soon as we have more information on when these exciting new coins. 

What do you think the designs will look like? Let us know in the comments below!

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.

UK Star Wars 50ps
UK Star Wars 50ps

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.

2024 UK Han Solo™ and Chewbacca™ 50p
2024 UK Han Solo™ and Chewbacca™ 50p

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.

Lenticular feature switched between the Millennium Falcon and the Rebel Alliance Starbird
Lenticular feature switched between the Millennium Falcon and the Rebel Alliance Starbird

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!

2024 UK Han Solo™ and Chewbacca™ 50p in hand
2024 UK Han Solo™ and Chewbacca™ 50p in hand

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.

Bespoke packaging
Bespoke packaging

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™.

2023 UK Luke Skywalker™ & Princess Leia™ 50p
2023 UK Luke Skywalker™ & Princess Leia™ 50p

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.

Lenticular Feature

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!

2023 UK Luke Skywalker™ & Princess Leia™ 50p
2023 UK Luke Skywalker™ & Princess Leia™ 50p in hand

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 Warsseries 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 Warscoin.

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…

R2-D2™ and C-3PO™ 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.

Lenticular feature on the R2-D2™ and C-3PO™ 50p
Lenticular feature on the R2-D2™ and C-3PO™ 50p

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) >>

Click here to secure yours now >>