Posts Tagged ‘round pound’
Rare UK £1 coin pair: The 2017 Nations of the Crown and 2023 Bee £1 Coins
The British £1 coin has always been a symbol of resilience and innovation, and today, you can celebrate its rich 500-year history with a remarkable collectible: The British Pound Coin Collector’s Frame. Featuring the brand-new King Charles III “Bee” £1 coin alongside the 2017 “Nations of the Crown” £1 coin, this exclusive pairing honours two of the most significant transformations in the denomination’s history.
The Evolution of the £1 Coin
The journey of Britain’s £1 coin has been nothing short of revolutionary. Introduced in 1983 to replace the £1 note, it became an essential part of everyday life. However, by the early 21st century, the “round pound” faced a growing challenge: counterfeiting. It was estimated that one in 30 £1 coins in circulation was fake, prompting the need for a more secure solution.
Right: 2017 12-sided UK £1 coin
Enter the 12-sided £1 coin, introduced on 28th March 2017. Dubbed the “most secure coin in circulation,” it featured:
- Micro-lettering along the rim for added security.
- A hologram that cleverly switches between a ‘£’ symbol and the number ‘1’ when tilted.
- A groundbreaking bi-metallic design, making it harder to replicate.
The transition from the round pound to the 12-sided coin was a monumental moment, marking a new chapter for Britain’s currency.
The Arrival of the King Charles III “Bee” £1 Coin
In 2023, history was made once again as The Royal Mint unveiled the first £1 coin featuring the effigy of King Charles III. For the first time in over 70 years, the obverse design of the £1 changed, symbolizing the start of a new royal era. What makes this coin even more special is its reverse design, celebrating the industrious honeybee, a vital emblem of British wildlife and a nod to environmental conservation.
The King Charles III “Bee” £1 coin has quickly become a sought-after piece among collectors, representing not only a new reign but also a fresh perspective on what Britain’s coinage can embody.
A Frame Worthy of History
The British Pound Coin Collector’s Frame brings these two iconic coins together in a pristine presentation. Carefully curated to highlight their beauty and significance, this collector’s item serves as a tribute to the £1 coin’s enduring legacy and innovative spirit.
Price £25.00 (+ £3.99 p&p)
With the 2017 Nations of the Crown £1 representing the dawn of unparalleled security and the 2023 King Charles III Bee £1 symbolising a new royal chapter, this pairing encapsulates the evolution of one of Britain’s most iconic denominations.
Secure Your Collector’s Frame Today
The British Pound Coin Collector’s Frame is an unmissable opportunity. Secure your set today and own a tangible piece of Britain’s monetary history—a celebration of tradition, innovation, and the changing times.
Ready to ‘tee off’? NEW The 150th Open Commemoratives released today!
In just over a week’s time, The Open — the oldest golf tournament in the world — tees off. And this year, there are a couple of extra reasons to celebrate.
Firstly, this is the 150th Open Championship. The first was held way back in 1860 so this year’s trophy — the famous Claret Jug — will be even more sought after amongst the players, including Rory McIroy and recent US Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick.
But it’s not only the golfers who have something to aim for. Because to celebrate the 150th Open, a brand new range of commemoratives have been issued.
So, as you can imagine, with thousands of coin collectors and now thousands of UK golf fans, getting hold of one of these brand new commemoratives will be a prize in itself.
Keep on reading to find out more…
NEW Round Pound released
It’s been 6 years since the round pounds were phased out and replaced by the new 12-sided coin, marking the end of an era for UK coinage. But today it has returned for a very special occasion.
Specially struck for 2022 only and fully approved by The R&A — the home of British Golf — this new Round Pound has been issued by the Government of Gibraltar to celebrate The 150th Open Championship.
Unlike the UK, you can still find round pounds in circulation in Gibraltar. They’re used daily as part of their currency so it’s not uncommon to find them in your change over there. We don’t yet have confirmation on whether this coin will enter circulation in Gibraltar, but if it does — that will increase the collectability even more.
The STRICTLY LIMITED Silver Proof Round Pound
Exclusive to The Westminster Collection, The 150th Open Silver Proof Round Pound is strictly limited to JUST 500 editions.
This incredibly low edition limit makes The 150th Open Silver Proof coin 22 times RARER than the last UK Silver Proof Round Pound issued in 2016, which had a mintage of 11,000 and completely sold out at the Royal Mint.
Struck to a pristine Silver Proof finish, reservations for this striking coin are being taken on a first come first served basis.
You can secure yours today with a £16 deposit (+p&p) – Click here now >>
The 150th Open Silver 5oz Domed Commemorative
If you’re looking for the ultimate collectable within the range, then look no further. We are thrilled to introduce The 150th Open Silver 5oz Domed Commemorative which is extremely limited to just 150 collectors worldwide.
This striking piece has been struck from 5oz of .999 Fine Silver and features a remarkable 3D high-relief domed effect that mimics the appearance of a golf ball.
The detailed domed relief features The 150th Open logo with the brand line ‘Everything has led to this’. You really do have to see the coin in person to admire its full craftmanship.
In recent years, domed commemoratives have taken the collecting world by storm. When the US Mint released their domed coin to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings, 296,311 sold on launch day alone — that’s 206 coins a minute!
That’s why only the quickest 150 collectors will be able to secure this commemorative for their collection.
NEW Coin and Stamp Cover strictly limited to JUST 495 collectors
Today you can own this striking coin cover, combining the brand new Brilliant Uncirculated Round Pound alongside the Official Royal Mail The 150th Open Philatelic labels.
Officially postmarked on 14th July, 2022, this one-day-only postmarking means that no more can ever be produced after this day… and with an edition limit of JUST 495, please don’t hesitate.
Click here to ‘pre-order’ yours >>
The 150th Open Silver Round Pound Coin Cover
Importantly, this Edition Limit is less than HALF that of the 2022 The 150th Open Gibraltar Silver Proof £1 Coin that has just been released.
Officially postmarked on 14th July, 2022, JUST 195 Silver £1 Coin and Stamp Covers are available WORLDWIDE. Once they’re all gone, no more can ever be produced.
Pre-order yours now to avoid disappointment >>
If you’d like to browse the full range of The 150th Open Commemoratives, click here >>
NEW Round Pound released…
It’s been 6 years since the much-collected Round Pounds were phased out and replaced by the new 12-sided coin, marking the end of an era for UK coinage.
But today it has returned for a very special occasion.
This brand new Round Pound has been issued by the Government of Gibraltar and celebrates The 150th Open, the oldest golfing Championship in the World!
Gibraltar coins – worth keeping an eye on
Gibraltar has a history of issuing popular coins and we’ve seen some really interesting releases in recent years. But this is why they’re worth looking out for. More often than not, their mintage figures are MUCH LOWER than UK coins, making them especially sought-after by collectors.
And unlike the UK, you can still find round pounds in circulation in Gibraltar. They’re used daily as part of their currency so it’s not uncommon to find them in your change over there. We don’t yet have confirmation on whether this coin will enter circulation in Gibraltar, but if it does – that will increase the collectability even more.
Can a coin go viral?
Back in 2019, Gibraltar issued the Breast Cancer £2 in partnership with Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar. A small allocation entered circulation in Gibraltar and they were quickly snapped up by collectors. It quickly became one of the most popular coins of the year, and also one of the most difficult to source.
Outside of Gibraltar, The Westminster Collection were able to get hold of a small quantity for collectors, but they completely sold out within hours.
To put it into further context, the Gibraltar Breast Cancer £2 was 22 times more scarce than the iconic 2009 Kew Gardens 50p. Made even more desirable as so few collectors were aware the coin even existed…
So, what does this mean for coin collectors?
Previous Gibraltar issues have been incredibly popular with coin collectors, with demand already set to be high for this £1 coin.
Since switching to the existing single-design 12 sided pound, UK collectors have simply not had the chance to collect new commemorative pounds.
What’s more, it’s been issued to celebrate the oldest golfing Championship in the World! Point being it’s highly likely thousands of golf fans will also join the hunt for this one.
Available now in collector favourite quality
This Brand New 150th Open Gibraltar Round Pound has been struck to an unblemished Brilliant Uncirculated finish and is the exact same size and weight as the UK’s Round Pound – which hasn’t been seen since 2016.
What’s more, your brand new The 150th Open Gibraltar Round Pound has been licensed by The R&A – home of British Golf – and will come in a bespoke presentation card to preserve its quality for generations to come.
