Posts by Chris Bowditch
Mr Benn to feature on BRAND NEW 50p Coins
From an Astronaut, Pirate or Knight we’re sure nobody will want to miss this upcoming release!
That’s because we’re delighted to confirm that a brand new collection of British Isles 50p coins are set to feature the bowler hatted everyman – Mr Benn!
Here’s what we know so far…
To celebrate Mr Benn’s 50th birthday this year, a number of official 50p coins will be released, authorised by Guernsey Treasury.
We can’t confirm any other details at the moment except there will be a single Mr Benn Anniversary coin with a design inspired by the logo. There will also be a collection of FIVE Silver Proof coins, featuring stunning colour print!
The coins are due for release in April so it isn’t long until we can see them for ourselves.
Fall down the rabbit hole and discover the BRAND NEW Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 50ps…
Recently, we announced an exciting brand new collection of 50p coins celebrating Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Unsurprisingly, since their release, the coins have seen unprecedented demand as collectors and beloved fans alike race to get theirs.
The coins were released to celebrate over 150 years since author, Lewis Carroll first narrated his nonsense fairytale about a girl called Alice. Since then, the story has been adapted in many forms, from book to theatre to ballet and even a blockbuster Disney film. The story is undeniably one of the best-known and most popular works of English-language fiction. A first edition of the book once sold at auction for over $2 million, confirming Alice commemoratives would be highly sought-after.
The 50p has firmly established itself as the collector’s favourite coin, so it was only right the beloved characters from the fairytale feature on them. Authorised for release by Isle of Man Treasury and fully approved by Her Majesty the Queen, these coins could undoubtedly become one of the most popular numismatic releases of 2021!
Find out more about these new coins and how to order them below…
The COMPLETE Brilliant Uncirculated 50p Set
This stunning collection features all five new 50p coins, each struck to a Brilliant Uncirculated quality and featuring carefully curated designs by renowned illustrator Stephen Lee. These include:
- Alice “What a curious feeling! said Alice”
- Cheshire Cat “We’re all mad here”.
- Queen of Hearts “That’s enough! Off with their heads!”.
- The Mad Hatter “I am under no obligation to make sense to you.”
- The White Rabbit “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get”.
What’s more, the coins will come protectively housed in bespoke presentation pack that has also been designed by the coin designer. This set is one of the only ways you can own all FIVE coins and demand has already been extremely high.
If you’d like to secure one for your collection for JUST £31.25 (+p&p) then click here >>
The STRICTLY LIMITED Silver Proof 50p
The Silver Proof version of the stunning Alice 50p coin features a specially commissioned illustration of Alice, drinking the shrinking potion that allows her through the door to the Queens castle. ‘What a curious feeling’ said Alice…
The coin has been struck to a flawless Proof finish from .925 Sterling Silver with selective vivid colour printing to bring the design and Alice to life!
The Silver Proof editions are without a doubt the collector’s favourite and almost always acquire fast sell-outs. With an edition limit of JUST 4,995 coins time is short to secure one for your collection…
Click here to guarantee yours >>
The ULTIMATE Silver Proof 50p Collection
The Silver Proof set is by far one of the most limited and exclusive ways you can own all five new 50ps. With only 1,995 available to collectors worldwide, it is almost certain that they won’t be around for long.
Each coin is struck from .925 Silver, to a Proof finish, with the addition of colour and comes ready to present in case with numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Don’t miss out on yours… Click here >>
The SCARCE Gold Proof 50p – the most prestigious and limited coin within the range
The crème de la crème of the range you could say. If you’re looking for the most premium and limited way to own one of these brand new Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 50p coins, then this is it.
Struck in .916 Gold to a flawless proof finish, this coin is guaranteed to popular with serious collectors. Though especially as this official new release has been given a strict edition limit of JUST 500 worldwide.
This is MUCH LOWER than other recent Gold Proof 50p releases that have completely sold out, so only a handful of lucky collectors will have the chance to own this prestigious coin.
If you’d like to find out more about this incredible new coin and how you can secure one for your collection, click here >>
The LIMITED EDITION Signed Print
This unique, celebratory print is 1 of JUST 495 limited-edition authentic prints to be signed and hand-numbered by renowned illustrator Stephen Lee.
This authentic print offers a closer look at the designs of the new 2021 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 50p coins and is exclusively available from The Westminster Collection.
With such a small number available it is advised that you reserve your Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Framed Print today or you may miss out altogether. Click here >>
View the complete range of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 50p coins here >>
The countries that went Decimal long before the UK…
On 14th February 1971, the country went to bed with one currency, and woke with another. The following day, 15th February 1971, Britain went decimal. And this year marks the 50th anniversary of this monumental change.
The UK has been at the forefront of iconic and innovative coin designs throughout history. From King Edward III’s first gold coin which was introduced to the UK in 1344, to the experimental and iconic new designs seen on The Royal Mint’s latest issues.
But the UK wasn’t the first country to go decimal. In fact, it was rather slow in its conversion and was one of the last countries in the world to go decimal. And the growing pressure of a world around it changing to Decimal currency would eventually push the UK to make the switch…
Who was the first?
Russia is considered the first country to go decimal, as under Tsar Peter the Great, the Russian Ruble was introduced with a sub-division of 100 Kopeks. It wasn’t until almost 100 years later in 1794 that France followed suit with the Franc, and the Netherlands was the third European country to go decimal in 1817 with the Dutch Guilder. Impressively, there are now only two countries in the world that are still using non-decimal currency – Madagascar and Mauritania (and interestingly both countries’ currencies are sub-divided into units of 5).
What about the Commonwealth?
By the 1960s, half the world had gone decimal and a number of Commonwealth countries had also made the switch to a decimal currency. Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa all turned to decimal throughout the 1960s giving rise to a powerful decimalisation movement in the UK. As the world around it converted to a modern decimal currency, it seemed inevitable that the UK would soon have to follow suit.
By the time the UK eventually got to Decimal Day, the majority of the world had already made the switch. That includes the likes of the US, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, The Philippines, Nova Scotia, Bolivia, China, Brazil, Jamaica, Fiji, and many more.
When D-Day finally came…
When Decimal Day finally arrived in 1971, many countries around the world had long since made the switch. For the UK, although the wheels had been set in motion with the introduction of the Florin 120 years prior, it wasn’t until 1968 that decimal coins officially circulated. The 10p and 5p coins were issued alongside their pre-decimal siblings, the Florin and Shilling, for almost 3 years before Decimal Day. Importantly, the first 50p coin entered our circulation in 1969, ultimately becoming the collector’s staple denomination. Fittingly, it is also the denomination that The Royal Mint have chosen to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Decimalisation this year.
These early introductions helped the public warm to decimalisation and after seeing the world around them change. 15th February 1971 marked a long foreseen, yet inevitable event for the public – the biggest for UK coinage in over a thousand years! It altered the lives of everyone in the UK, remember these were the days before bank cards, and people had to learn a whole new currency! It is certainly an important moment in the history books.
If you’re interested: A NEW DateStamp™ has been authorised!
An original UK 1969 50p coin has been paired alongside a BRAND NEW 2021 UK 50th Anniversary of Decimalisation BU 50p to mark the upcoming 50th anniversary. Each will be officially postmarked by Royal Mail on the day, preserving your coins in a moment in time. Just 2,021 50th Anniversary of Decimalisation 50p DateStamp™ pairs have been authorised, act NOW to pre-order yours.
Click here to find out why you need to secure yours now!
