The United Kingdom coin struck in New York

Today I would like to tell you a fascinating story about a very limited edition United Kingdom coin struck in New York almost 60 years ago.

It is extremely rare that United Kingdom coins are struck anywhere other than in the UK, however the New York Exhibition in 1960 presented a rare opportunity for The Royal Mint to take their minting expertise overseas.

New York Exhibition

Still struggling to recover from post-war austerity, the height of Great Britain as the dominant trading nation of the world seemed a distant memory in 1960.

Britain was desperate to revive its ability to trade internationally and so the New York Exhibition was organised to demonstrate the best of British manufacturing to the American market with the hope of increasing British exports to the United States.

The New York Exhibition Crown

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The 1960 New York Exhibition Crown

A brand new coin was struck for the occasion and although it was somewhat overlooked in Britain at the time, it stands out today as one of the most interesting Royal Mint coins ever struck.

That is because although just over a million New York Exhibition crowns were minted in the UK, a very small number were struck at the exhibition in New York so that visitors could see the best of British manufacturing before their own eyes.

This limited edition coin was minted especially for the visitors to the exhibition and only 70,000 coins were struck – that is less than 7% of the mintage of the ordinary circulation version!

Could I own a limited edition New York crown?

Although they were struck with a specially polished die, there were no special mintmarks on the coins struck in New York making them extremely difficult to distinguish from the ordinary uncirculated version.

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However, as the ordinary uncirculated coin was somewhat overlooked at the time in Britain it too has a surprisingly low mintage – less than a fifth of the 1953 Coronation Crown and less than 6% of the 1965 Churchill Crown.

Some of the unsold crowns minted at the exhibition were brought back to the UK by The Royal Mint, meaning that there are likely to be a small number of rare crown coins which were struck in New York buried in collections across the country.

This coin played a key role in boosting Britain’s trade relationship with the United States, and the fact that a very limited number were actually minted at the exhibition in New York makes it undoubtedly one of the most interesting UK coins of the 20th century.

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If you’re interested…

We are offering collectors the chance to own the New York Exhibition Crown struck in uncirculated condition (who knows, it might even be one of the rare coins that came back from New York!). To secure your New York Exhibition Crown for just £19.99 (+p&p), click here >>

New UK coin released celebrating the Four Generations of Royalty for first time ever

The Royal Mint has today announced the release of a coin that everyone has been anticipating since the moment HRH Prince George of Cambridge was born on 22nd July 2013 – a coin celebrating the four generations of royalty.

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2018 UK Four Generations of Royalty £5 coin

This is the first time that all four generations of royalty have been celebrated on a UK coin. The last time four generations of royalty were celebrated together was in 1894 under the reign of Queen Victoria.

2018 is an incredibly special year for the Royal family as they celebrate a variety of important milestones including the Queen’s 65th anniversary of her Coronation, the Prince of Wales’ 70th birthday and Prince George’s 5th birthday so it’s perfect timing for such a special coin issue!

Here’s everything you need to know about this important new release:

The stunning reverse features an original design by much-loved heraldic artist Timothy Noad, and ornately shows the initials of the current four generations, E, C, W, G, and represents the heritage of the House of Windsor.

The coin is available in several different finishes, all with varying edition limits that are likely to sell out quickly. Here’s your guide to the new 2018 Four Generations of Royalty coin range:

Perfect Quality. Very Affordable.

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UK 2018 Four Generations of Royalty CERTIFIED BU £5 coin

The Royal Mint is releasing a brilliant uncirculated base metal version of the Four Generations of Royalty £5 coin. These coins have been specially struck and carefully handled to ensure that they are free of scratches and chips found amongst circulating coins.

 

 

Known as Brilliant Uncirculated (BU), they are available for £13.00 in a Royal Mint Presentation Pack or £10.99 in a Change Checker Certified Brilliant Uncirculated Collector Card.

Silver Proof – the Collector’s Favourite.

The Silver Proof £5 coin is firmly established as the most sought-after coin amongst collectors because they have all the qualities that collectors really desire.

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UK 2018 Four Generations of Royalty Silver Proof £5 coin

  • Precious metal content– struck from 925/1000 Sterling Silver.
  • Strictly Limited Edition– just 5,000 coins. That’s 3,000 less than the Sapphire Jubilee £5 Silver Proof coin. That had a mintage of 8,000 and completely sold out at The Royal Mint.
  • The perfect Proof Finish– even better than Brilliant Uncirculated. Proof coins are struck several times using specially polished dies to create a flawless finish with a perfect mirrored background. The ultimate coin quality.

Double the thickness. More than twice as limited.

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UK 2018 Four Generations of Royalty Silver Proof Piedfort £5 coin

For silver collectors looking for something even more collectable, the double thickness Piedfort edition is the pinnacle of Royal Mint craftsmanship, they are twice the thickness and weight of a standard coin. They also have much lower edition limits than their standard silver counterparts.

 

There are just 2,000 Four Generations of Royalty £5 silver proof Piedfort’s – less than half the maximum mintage for the standard £5 silver proof.

The Gold Standard

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UK 2018 Four Generations of Royalty 1/4 oz Gold Proof coin

For the ultimate limited edition, you can own the Four Generations of Royalty in Gold proof. This has been issued in two specifications: the Gold Proof ¼ oz coin and the £5 Gold Proof coin.

The ¼ oz is struck from 24 Carat Gold and just 1,100 have been authorised for release.

The £5 is struck from 39.94g of 22 Carat Gold to a flawless proof finish. Only 500 will be issued – 250 LESS than the equivalent Sapphire Jubilee Gold £5 that completely sold out at the Mint in ONE WEEK.

Due to its very limited nature, we will contact you directly to discuss owning the Gold Proof £5 Coin if you are interested – please complete the form below:

If you’re interested …

Four Generations of Royalty All Coins 300x200 - New UK coin released celebrating the Four Generations of Royalty for first time everYou can own one of the special collector edition Four Generations of Royalty £5 coins today, click here to view the full range >>

New 50p coins to enter circulation for Platinum Wedding Anniversary

In just a few weeks’ time something remarkable happens.  Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Prince Philip celebrate 70 years of marriage – their Platinum Wedding Anniversary

You probably know someone who has celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary (50 years of marriage).  You may even know someone who has reached 60 years – their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.  But I’d be happy to place a small wager that you don’t know anyone who has managed 70 years of marriage.

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4 of the 8 Platinum Wedding 50p Coins

That’s because only around 30 couples in the whole of the UK ever reach that milestone each year.  Or to put it another way – the Queen and Prince Philip are literally one in a million.

And to mark the occasion, eight special commemorative 50p coins have been issued. It is the VERY FIRST time that British Isles specification 50p coins have been struck to mark a key royal wedding anniversary such as this.

Most importantly, these coins have been authorised by the Isle of Man Treasury, have full legal status AND a very limited number will enter circulation in the Isle of Man.

The UK’s most collectable coins…

The 50p coin has rapidly become the UK’s most collectable coin spurred on by the release of the Olympic 50p coins and, more recently, the incredible demand for the UK’s Beatrix Potter coins.

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The further 4 Platinum Wedding 50p Coins

And that’s why these issues are so important. 

British Isles 50p coins like this rarely turn up in your change in the UK, making them some of the most sought-after circulating coins around.

As the first major Royal wedding anniversary to feature on any British Isles standard specification 50p coins, this is a very significant moment.

A moment that’s made even more important due to the incredible milestone 70 years of marriage represents.


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The first of the eight Platinum Wedding 50p coins can be yours for just £3.99.

How you can own the new coins…

Start collecting the new Platinum Wedding 50p coins, struck to superior Brilliant Uncirculated Collector Quality for your special introductory price of just £3.99.

Click here to secure yours now >>