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BBC 50p celebrates 100 years of British History
The recently issued 100 Years of BBC UK 50p proved incredibly popular, with all limited edition presentations selling out within just 2 hours of release.
Did you manage to secure one for your collection?
You can still secure the 100 Years of BBC 50p in Brilliant Uncirculated quality here >>
The British Broadcasting Corporation has provided information, education and entertainment globally for a century. We thought what better way to mark their 100 year anniversary than looking at some of the important events that the BBC has broadcasted.
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation
Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 was the first major service to be televised by the BBC. 27 million people in the UK watched the ceremony on television and a further 11 million listened to their radio broadcasts.
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilees
During her incredible 70 year reign, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated many jubilees. Most significantly, her Platinum Jubilee in 2022 was one of the most watched televised events of recent times.
A record breaking 13.4 million people across the UK watched the Platinum Jubilee celebrations on television in June.
You can secure the ultimate Platinum Jubilee souvenir today – the Platinum Jubilee weekend collection. Click here to get yours >>
The six 24 Cart Gold-Plated Commemoratives feature iconic photographic images from the historic weekend celebrations.
The Olympics
The 1948 Olympic Games were held in Wembley, and the BBC televised the games for the first time, screening over 50 hours of coverage during the 2-week event.
When the Olympics returned to London in 2012, the BBC covered all the events and a staggering 51.9 million people – 90% of the population – tuned in.
In 2021, a UK 50p was authorised for release to celebrate Team GB’s participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics – which was once again televised by the BBC.
The FA Cup Matches
2022 marked 150 years of the FA Cup. During BBC One’s coverage of The FA Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool, viewer numbers peaked in the final half hour of the match with 8 million people watching.
To mark the 150th anniversary of the FA Cup, The Royal Mint issued this £2, which sold out in all limited-edition presentations within just HOURS of issue!
Royal Weddings
The marriage of Charles and Diana took place in 1981 and remains one of the most-watched programmes on the BBC, with over 28 million people tuning in to either watch or listen to the coverage.
In 2011, Prince William married Kate Middleton and more than 13.6 million people watched the coverage on BBC One, making theirs the third most-watched Royal Wedding.
Which of these BBC broadcasts do you remember watching or listening to?
Secure the 100 Years of BBC 50p in brilliant uncirculated quality here>>
Celebrate a Traditional Christmas with the NEW limited edition 50ps – just released for the festive season!
Christmas is fast approaching, and that can only mean one thing… BRAND NEW Christmas 50ps!
FIVE new 50p coins have just been issued by Guernsey, celebrating a ‘Traditional Christmas’. The must-have new releases feature a Christmas tree, an Ice rink, a Robin, a Snowman, and Santa himself switching the Christmas lights on. Check out our video below to see them up close…
Collectors have ALREADY been rushing to secure their own. So much so that we’ve already seen a sell-out in one release!
But not to worry, we’ve picked out some of our favourite specifications below, one of which features something never seen before on a set of 50p coins!
With Christmas just around the corner, this really is the perfect coin collection to get you in the festive spirit! You’re going to want to take a closer look at these very festive designs…
A Traditional Christmas Silver Proof 50p Set
There’s a good reason why this 50p set is limited to just 500 worldwide…
Brought to life in vivid colour ink, these are the FIRST EVER 50ps to have the extra addition of GLITTER!
Each of the five 50p coins in the set is struck from .925 Sterling Silver to a Proof finish, arriving in a display box complete with a certificate of authenticity.
The perfect gift can be hard to come by, but these first ever Silver Glitter 50p set are MUST-HAVE on our Christmas wish-list.
Secure your very own set here >>
Traditional Christmas Robin Colour 50p Card
The ‘Traditional Christmas’ Robin 50p is presented here in a beautiful Christmas card.
Featured on wrapping paper, Christmas cards and more, the Robin has become a well-established part of a British Christmas.
The design of Britain’s National Bird is brought to life with the addition of selective colour ink.
But that’s not all – your Robin 50p is struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality, with each 50p Christmas card left blank inside to write your own personalised message. What better way to wish friends and family a Merry Christmas!
Click here to secure yours today for just £12.50 (p&p) >>
A Traditional Christmas BU 50p Set
Looking to own ALL FIVE 50ps in Brilliant Uncirculated Quality? Look no further than the Traditional Christmas BU 50p Set.
Your coins arrive housed in a special festive presentation pack, which is one of the only ways to own all five of these coins as a complete set.
Whether for a fellow collector, loved one or even as a special treat for yourself, this is a lovely collection to treasure forever.
Don’t miss out, secure yours here for just £34.95 (+p&p) >>
With prices starting from JUST £6.99, you can discover all the brand new products in the ‘Traditional Christmas’ 50p range here. I’m sure there’s something just for you!
The 2022 RBL Poppy Masterpiece – Creating a Masterpiece
Here at The Westminster Collection, we’ve had the privilege of working in partnership with the Royal British Legion for over a decade.
Each year, we issue bespoke coins and commemoratives for the RBL Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Day.
And we’re incredibly proud to have so far raised over £1 million for the Royal British Legion.
Unboxing the 2022 RBL Poppy Masterpiece
The Masterpiece is a remarkable coin and this year, creating the Masterpiece has more of a personal touch than ever before.
Each coin has been meticulously painted by hand, making each one unique.
Never has the name “Masterpiece” been more appropriate. Each coin is a work of art, but how do you go about creating 350 pieces of unique artwork?
“The 2022 Masterpiece Poppy Coin is a timeless token of Remembrance. Not only is this coin a poignant reminder of all those who have served and sacrificed, but it also helps the Royal British Legion continue to be there for today’s Armed Forces community, no matter what.”
Charles Byrne , Director General of the Royal British Legion
One of a Kind – Creating a Masterpiece
This year’s Masterpiece coin has been expertly designed by Beata Kulesza-Damaziak. Beata has a studio in Warsaw, Poland, designing sculptures, book covers and has produced many coin designs.
Beata’s design has been struck in high relief on 5oz Pure Silver blanks, with different heights of relief applied to give a real depth to the design.
Keen-eyed observers will see a map of the Falklands on the very bottom layer, with a total of 40 poppies poignantly sitting on top to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War.
The largest and 40th poppy sits proudly in the middle of the coin. It’s that poppy that elevates the coin to status of “Masterpiece”.
Every single coin has had that poppy hand-painted by artist Adam Taylor, making each one unique.
Most colour on coins these days is printed using high-speed pad-printing machines or using modern UV printing techniques. Adam has used traditional model-painting techniques on the coins, which means each one has unique brush-strokes and subtle differences in the colours.
Adding acrylic paint to the high relief poppy gives it that iconic red colour and further enhances the coin design. The time, care and attention required on a project such as this, truly does make each one of the 350 a one-off.
Adam dedicated hour upon hour to these coins, adding the personal touches to make each one a true Masterpiece.
Secure your hand-painted, one of a kind RBL Poppy Masterpiece Coin here>>