Posts Tagged ‘Coin Collecting’
The £2 Coins Celebrating the UK’s Quirkiest Traditions
From hilltop chaos to apron-clad pancake dashes, Britain has a proud history of gloriously eccentric customs — and in 2025, they’re finally getting the celebration they deserve. This year, a brand-new series of £2 coins shines a light on five of the most delightfully bizarre and brilliantly British traditions. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a newcomer with a love for all things offbeat, this limited-edition coin release is your perfect slice of homegrown heritage.
A Tribute to Britain’s Quirky Heart
It’s no secret that Britain loves a good tradition — the weirder, the better. And now, this latest coin release captures that spirit in Sterling Silver and Brilliant Uncirculated brilliance. Introducing the British Traditions £2 Coin Collection: five intricately designed coins that pay homage to the eccentric events that make our national calendar so colourfully unique.
So, what’s in the £2 set?
Whether you’re collecting the gleaming Sterling Silver Proof edition, or the crisply detailed Brilliant Uncirculated version, both sets feature the same five wonderfully weird events:
🧀 Cheese Rolling (Gloucestershire)
Every year, brave (or mad?) participants fling themselves down the steep slopes of Cooper’s Hill chasing a runaway wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. The result? Tumbling chaos, bruised egos, and a tradition that could only be British.
🎀 Maypole Dancing
A throwback to our medieval roots, Maypole Dancing sees children and adults alike weaving coloured ribbons to the rhythm of folk music — a celebration of spring, community, and timeless tradition.
🔔 Morris Dancing
Jingling bells, clashing sticks, and vividly decorated costumes define this quintessential folk dance. Whether in village greens or market squares, Morris dancers embody the beating heart of traditional British celebration.
🍳 Pancake Racing (Olney)
Dating back to 1445, this tradition has apron-wearing competitors sprinting through the streets flipping pancakes mid-run. Why? Because Britain loves to turn the ordinary into the utterly extraordinary.
🎆 Bonfire Night
Guy Fawkes, fireworks, and fire-lit effigies: every 5th of November, Britain honours the failed Gunpowder Plot with a sparkling night of rebellion, remembrance, and roasted marshmallows.
Two Stunning Editions — But Only While Stocks Last
This unique collection comes in two finishes, both with their own appeal:
- 🥇 Sterling Silver Proof Set — Crafted in fine silver, each coin is selectively plated in 24-carat gold. With only 495 sets available worldwide, this is an elite, heirloom-quality tribute to Britain’s cultural curiosities.
- 🪙 Brilliant Uncirculated Set — Sharply struck with a pristine finish, this edition is limited to just 2,025 sets worldwide, offering a more accessible yet highly collectable way to enjoy these iconic designs.
Wonderfully Weird. Irresistibly British. Unmistakably Collectable.
At a time when British identity is being rediscovered and redefined, these coins offer a joyful reminder of what makes us unique. From folk festivals to fearless food-based sports, every coin in this set is a tiny masterpiece of nostalgia and national pride.
Whether you’re collecting for the artistry, the history, or simply for the love of the ludicrous, the Quirky British Traditions £2 Coin Collection is not to be missed.
Discover the full set and secure yours before they disappear faster than a pancake on Shrove Tuesday.
Could the 2025 UK Zog 50p be RARER than the sell-out Gruffalo 50p?
For the very first time, the loveable, accident-prone dragon Zog has been celebrated on a UK 50p coin, marking 15 magical years since the much-loved children’s book was first published.
Explore the 2025 UK Zog 50p Range >>
Zog turns 15
Since Zog first burst onto the scene in 2010, he’s captured imaginations around the world. Written by Julia Donaldson, former UK Children’s Laureate, and brought to life with Axel Scheffler’s iconic illustrations, the tale of perseverance, friendship (and a few fiery mishaps!) has become a bedtime favourite.
Over 4.5 million copies of Zog have been sold globally, and its timeless charm continues to delight both children and adults.
The FIRST ever Zog coin
To mark 15 year of the much loved story, Zog is taking centre stage on a UK 50p for the very first time.
The coin’s reverse has been beautifully designed by Emma Noble, who has expertly captured the moment Zog learns to fly, taking inspiration straight from the pages of the beloved story.
Now here’s where it gets really exciting, and why you’ll need need to act fast if you want to get your hands on one…
Tiny edition limits
Two of the most sought-after versions of the Zog 50p have been issued with incredibly small edition limits, making it even rarer than the sell-out 2019 Gruffalo 50p!
Just 3,500 Silver Proof Zog 50ps are available and the Gold Proof 1/40oz has an edition limit of just 1,000.
The 2019 Gruffalo 50p, 2019 Gruffalo and Mouse 50p and the 2024 Gruffalo’s Child 50p all had Silver Proof edition limits of 25,000, and all sold out within just hours of release! So to put this into perspective, the Zog Silver Proof 50p has an edition limit SEVEN TIMES smaller that previous sell-out Julia Donaldson coins!
And the Gold Proof 1/40oz? Well, with just 1,000 available, it’s one of the most limited gold 50p releases we’ve ever seen.
Don’t miss out on securing your Zog 50p
With such tiny edition limits, and the huge popularity of Julia Donaldson’s coins, don’t miss out on your chance to secure your Zog 50p.
350 Years of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich celebrated on a UK £2 coin
Originally released as part of the 2025 Annual Coin Set, the 2025 UK Royal Greenwich Observatory £2 is now available to own individually for the very first time – and it’s bursting with history and symbolism.
Explore the UK Royal Observatory, Greenwich £2 Coin Range >>
Celebrating 350 Years of Innovation and Exploration
In 1675, King Charles II commissioned the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, unknowingly setting in motion centuries of astronomical discovery, navigational breakthroughs and global timekeeping.
Image Credit: DiscoA340, via Wikimedia Commons
Greenwich is where East meets West, and home to the Prime Meridian – an invisible line that runs through the very ground. The Royal Observatory is where Greenwich Mean Time was born, and it’s been guiding explorers, scientists and seafarers ever since.
Now, 350 years on, this iconic institution has been honoured on a UK £2 coin.
A Design Packed with Symbolism
Created by renowned designer Henry Gray, the reverse design of the 2025 Royal Greenwich Observatory £2 is a treasure trove for collectors.
Here’s what you’ll spot:
- The Shepherd Gate Clock – one of the world’s first public displays of Greenwich Mean Time.
- Ursa Minor and Polaris – the constellation and star used for celestial navigation across centuries.
- The Prime Meridian on a globe – marking the division between East and West.
- And along the edge, the words: “PERFECTING THE ART OF NAVIGATION” – a phrase taken from the Observatory’s founding Royal Warrant.
Every detail speaks to the Observatory’s unmatched contribution to science, timekeeping, and navigation.
Watch our video
Deserving of a space in your collection
You can secure the 2025 UK Royal Observatory £2 in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, or for something truly special, it’s also available in Silver Proof and Silver Piedfort.
The Silver Proof version has an edition limit of 1,500, and just 650 of the Silver Piedfort coins are available. Demand for these coins is expected to be high, so don’t hesitate as you may miss out on securing yours!