The Discovery of the Titanic: 40 Years On
It’s been 40 years since the discovery of the RMS Titanic, and now collectors can now own a piece of history with the brand new Titanic 50p Coin—available today for JUST 50p as part of our exclusive introductory offer.
When the RMS Titanic sank on her maiden voyage in April 1912, the world was left in shock. More than 1,500 lives were lost, and the ship—once hailed as “unsinkable”—became the most infamous maritime disaster in history. For decades, her final resting place remained a mystery, hidden deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean.
That changed in September 1985, when oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard and his team located the wreck, nearly 13,000 feet below the surface. After years of speculation, the world finally caught a glimpse of the Titanic once more. The images revealed haunting details: the grand staircase reduced to fragments, dinner plates still stacked neatly, and the ship split into two sections on the ocean floor.
The discovery brought the Titanic’s story back into the spotlight. No longer just a tragic tale, it became a symbol of resilience, remembrance, and humanity’s fascination with uncovering the past. Since then, her story has travelled far beyond the Atlantic—into books, films, exhibitions, and now, into the world of coin collecting.
Discover the NEW Official Titanic 50p Coin
To mark 40 years since her discovery, collectors can now own a piece of history with the brand new Titanic 50p Coin—available today for JUST 50p as part of our exclusive introductory offer.
This is your chance to secure the first coin in the Titanic Discovery Collection, officially approved by His Majesty King Charles III and minted right here in Great Britain.
✨ Key Features:
- Part of the FIRST EVER Titanic 50p Coin Collection
- Struck to a Brilliant Uncirculated quality
- ONLY 750 available today
- Yours for JUST 50p with this introductory FACE VALUE offer
- By ordering the Titanic BU 50p, you gain exclusive access to the Titanic Discovery Collection.
⚠️ Please note: Orders will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. With only 750 available, you’ll need to act quickly to secure this historic release.
Secure Yours Today
The Titanic’s story is one of tragedy, discovery, and enduring legacy. Now, you can be among the first collectors in the world to own the Official Titanic 50p Coin—a lasting tribute to one of history’s greatest maritime stories.
First World War £2 Coin: A Collector’s Guide
In the world of coin collecting many commemorative coins have been issued, but few are as historically powerful as the First World War £2 coin series. Struck between 2014 and 2018, these coins marked the centenary of the First World War (1914–1918) and paid tribute to the men and women who played vital roles in the conflict.
For coin collectors and history enthusiasts alike, the WW1 £2 coins are much more than currency — they are miniature memorials, designed to keep the memory of the Great War alive.
Designs in the First World War £2 Coin Series
The Royal Mint released several WW1 commemorative £2 coins, each telling a different part of the story:
- 2014 Kitchener £2 Coin – “Your Country Needs You”
The first coin in the series features Lord Kitchener’s iconic recruitment poster, one of the most famous images of the war. - 2015 Royal Navy £2 Coin
Honouring the Royal Navy, this coin shows a battleship cutting through the waves. A rare “flag error” variety makes some of these coins especially sought-after by collectors. - 2016 Army £2 Coin – Pals Battalions
This design reflects the camaraderie of the volunteer soldiers who enlisted and served together. - 2017 Aviation £2 Coin
Celebrating the early days of military flight, this issue highlights the role of aircraft in the First World War. - 2018 Armistice £2 Coin
Marking 100 years since the end of the war, this coin features a symbolic design representing peace and remembrance.
Together, the set of First World War £2 coins forms a complete narrative of Britain’s role in the conflict, from recruitment to remembrance.
Errors found on WW1 Coins
2014 First World War Kitchener £2 – Missing denomination
This £2 coin was issued in 2014 to mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War. It features an image of Lord Kitchener who was a prominent figure on British government propaganda campaigns during the time.
A total of 5,720,000 of these coins entered circulation, so finding one in your change is not unlikely. However, a small number are believed to have been released without the ‘Two Pounds’ denomination on the obverse.
In some cases, the denomination is included within the reverse design instead, which explains why it may not also appear on the obverse. A good example of this is the Trinity House £2 coin, issued earlier in the same year, where the wording appears on the reverse.
It is thought that the dies used to strike the obverse of the Trinity House £2 were mistakenly carried over when production of the First World War Centenary £2 coins began—resulting in some pieces lacking the denomination altogether.
To date, only two of these ‘error’ coins have been reported in circulation. Remarkably, the first confirmed example was sold by Lockdales Auctioneers in March 2020 for £500.
The First World War (1914–1918) was a defining chapter in Britain’s history. From the trenches of the Western Front to advances in aviation and naval power, the conflict reshaped the world. The Royal Mint’s £2 coins commemorate this legacy—not only as sought-after collectibles, but also as enduring reminders of sacrifice, resilience, and national memory.
2015 First World War Navy £2 – ‘Flag’ error
When the Navy £2 was released in 2015, it quickly captured attention in the collecting world after being revealed as one of the lowest mintage commemorative £2 coins, with only 650,000 struck.
The original design (below left) depicts the mast without any additional detail. However, sharp-eyed collectors later observed that some coins appeared to show a small flag flying at the top.
As shown by the two coins above, the coin on the right appears to feature a small flag at the top of the mast, whereas the first coin is completely unmarked.
This led many collectors to question whether two distinct versions of the Navy £2 coin had been released into circulation. However, it was later confirmed that the appearance of the “flag” was not part of the design. Instead, it is believed to have resulted from a cracked die during production.
Should You Add a WWI £2 Coin to Your Collection?
While the 2014 Kitchener and 2015 Royal Navy coins were released into general circulation, the later issues (Army, Aviation, Armistice) were struck mainly for collector sets, making them harder to find in everyday change.
If you’re collecting UK commemorative £2 coins, the First World War series is one of the most significant. Use the link below to explore our website and discover a wide range of WWI, WWII and military-themed collectables to help build your collection.
These coins are popular with:
- Collectors – seeking historically meaningful £2 issues.
- History enthusiasts – preserving the memory of the Great War.
- Families with military connections – looking for a lasting tribute.
At The Westminster Collection, we always strive to ensure the highest level of accuracy for our collectors. If you spot any inaccuracies or have additional insights, please don’t hesitate to let us know — we’ll be happy to review and update our blog accordingly.
The 2025 Bee £1 – The UK’s Current Rarest Coin?
The 2025 Bee £1 is set to be the UK’s rarest pound coin currently in circulation! In fact, as of this moment, the 2025 Bee £1 is even rarer than both the Salmon and Kew Gardens 50ps!
The Royal Mint has confirmed that 30.855 million new £1 coins are entering circulation across the UK. The release includes:
- 23.29 million of the final £1 coins featuring Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
- 7.565 million coins bearing the portrait of His Majesty King Charles III, of which just 170,000 are new 2025-dated Bee £1 coins.
That makes the 2025 Bee £1 currently the rarest circulating UK £1 coin. While it’s possible more could enter circulation in future, right now it holds the title of the rarest £1 coin you could hope to find in your pocket. For serious collectors, the most reliable way to own one will be by securing it now in Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
Why the 2025 Bee £1 Matters
Only 170,000 of the 2025 Bee £1 coins are confirmed to be entering circulation at this stage – one of the lowest circulating mintages of any UK coin to date.
For context:
- The 2023 Salmon 50p caused a frenzy at just 200,000 coins.
- The Kew Gardens 50p, long regarded as the “holy grail” of UK change, had a mintage of 210,000.
That means the 2025 Bee £1 is currently the rarest UK £1 coin in circulation. But with numbers this low, it’s highly unlikely you’ll come across one by chance.
👉 Guarantee yours now in the 2025 UK Brilliant Uncirculated Coinage Set, before demand outstrips availability.
The Return of Queen Elizabeth II on the £1
In a surprising twist, it was also announced that more 2021 and 2022 dated Nations of the Crown £1 coins will be released, in fact 23.29 million Nations of the Crown £1 coins featuring Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait will be released into circulation.
These will be the LAST circulating £1 coins to feature Her Majesty, marking the end of an era.
And, with just 7.735 million of the 2022 dated Nations of the Crown £1s in circulation, this becomes the rarest 12-sided £1 coin to feature the Queen’s portrait!
These coins mark an important chapter in modern coinage history, representing Her late Majesty’s rare reappearance on the £1. But while millions will circulate, the 2025 Bee £1 currently offers the ultra-low numbers collectors truly prize.
More 2023 Bee £1 Coins Entering Circulation
Collectors can also expect to see additional 2023-dated King Charles III Bee £1 coins this year.
- A further 7.395 million coins are being released.
These will be easier to find in change, but the 2025 Bee £1 stands apart as the UK’s current rarest £1 coin with its record-breaking rarity.
Secure the 2025 Bee £1 for Your Collection Today
The 2025 UK Brilliant Uncirculated Coinage Set includes the brand-new Bee £1 alongside the other seven definitive UK coins from the 1p to the £2.
Each is struck to Brilliant Uncirculated quality – a superior finish not possible in circulation.
👉 With demand already growing, this is your opportunity to guarantee the UK’s current rarest £1 coin in circulation for your collection. Don’t leave it to chance – secure yours today.