Posts Tagged ‘Royal Mint’
UK 50p inspired by Jim Kay’s illustrations of Harry Potter
A brand new collection of UK 50p coins is now available, celebrating 25 years since the first publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Since 1997, more than half a billion Harry Potter books have been sold. That means one in fifteen people in the world owns a Harry Potter book.
25 years on, the Harry Potter books continue to evolve. Most significantly, with newer illustrations by renowned artists, like Jim Kay.
Bringing magic to the page
Jim Kay is thought to have worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week on his reimagined illustrations of Harry Potter and the Wizarding World.
Jim Kay is the star of Bloomsbury’s latest editions and his illustrations can be seen in books 1-5.
From left to right: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Goblet of Fire and The Order of the Phoenix.
Speaking to The British Library, Kay said the commission of all seven illustrated Harry Potter books is the “most frightening” an artist could get.
When creating his illustrations for these books, Kay describes wanting to “give people something to discover on each reading”.
His illustrations take inspiration from museums, libraries, National Trust properties, and everything in between.
Drawing the Boy Who Lived
Jim Kay admits that the hardest thing to visualise in the whole project is Harry himself.
Sticking to the origins of the famous character, his drawings of the Boy Who Lived show a young boy, with as he describes, “an unusual face”.
2022 UK Harry Potter 50p
Jim Kay says seeing his illustrations on large scale print still fills him with fear. But, we’re sure he is delighted to see his drawings brought to life on the UK 50p for the first time.
The brand new collection of 50p coins is made up of four coins, starting with Harry Potter..
The first coin in the series is now available to order, with the remaining coins also available to pre-order.
Click here to add the Harry Potter 50p to your collection >>
BREAKING NEWS – 50p celebrating 100 years of BBC sold out within 2 hours!
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the BBC and to celebrate, the Royal Mint has released a brand new UK 50p. Over the last century, the British Broadcasting Corporation has been providing information, education and entertainment globally, broadcasting some of the world’s most exciting highs, but has also delivering some of the biggest lows.
Developed in partnership with the BBC, the reverse design takes inspiration from the BBC World News logo.
Sold out within 2 hours
The Royal Mint experienced queues of over 6,500 on their website, and in less than 2 hours of release, all premium specifications of the 100th Anniversary of the BBC 50p had completely sold out at the Royal Mint.
With all gold and silver specifications selling out so quickly at The Royal Mint, demand for the brilliant uncirculated BBC 50p is sure to rise significantly. However, you can still secure it in gold and silver specifications on our website whilst stocks last.
The BBC 50p Range
Celebrating an incredible 100 years of the British Broadcasting Corporation providing education, information and entertainment to the world with this brand new release. Prices from just £4.99 (+p&p).
Click here to shop the 100th Anniversary of the BBC range >>
New King’s portrait revealed by The Royal Mint
The Royal Mint have revealed the new portrait of King Charles III which will feature on UK coinage.
Created by renowned British sculptor Martin Jennings, the effigy has been personally approved by His Majesty. In keeping with tradition, The King’s portrait faces to the left, the opposite direction to Queen Elizabeth II.
It will be used for the very first time on a range of coins paying tribute to the life and reign of the late Queen.
The new range was released at 9am on Monday 3rd October.
This is the first time in nearly 70 years that we have had a new monarch on our coins. It is the most significant change to UK coinage since decimalisation in 1971.
The coins are available in several specifications including 50p, £5 and Ounce. Coins will be on sale at The Royal Mint until 31st December 2022.