The BRAND NEW 50p issue that’s sure to be this year’s must-have release

As you may know, this year we’re celebrating a numismatic milestone: the 50th anniversary of the 50p!

And as the collector’s favourite 7-sided coin turns 50 years old we’ve seen many commemoratives marking the occasion, which have proved immensely popular with collectors.

And a brand new UK 50p has been released today by The Royal Mint to mark the actual anniversary of the 50p – 14th October 2019.

This new coin is sure to see an overwhelming response from collectors. That’s because the new coin has THREE unique features that alone make this commemorative this year’s must have 50p release…  

TWO special privy marks and a minting first

50 years of the 50p 2019 BU product images 7 - The BRAND NEW 50p issue that’s sure to be this year’s must-have release

The reverse features Christopher Ironside’s iconic Britannia design, inscribed with ‘New Pence’. This was the first design to ever feature on the 7-sided 50p, released in 1969.

But what truly sets this issue apart from all other 50years of the 50p commemoratives is the inclusion of THREE special hidden features:

  1. Exclusive never-before-seen privy mark, designed especially for the occasion. A Spirograph-type design drawn from an extension of lines forming the 50p shape creates this unique mark. If you look in the centre you’ll see the 7-sided 50p shape we’re used to today.
  • Innovative privy mark around the reverse rim of the coin. The letters A to G are inscribed on each point and are joined by arced crossing lines. It shows the science behind how the iconic 50p shape was created. Importantly, this is a minting first on a 50p coin.
  • The denomination in ‘NEW PENCE’ – not seen since 1981.

These three features make this issue highly collectable and will surely be sought-after by collectors in years to come.

50th Anniversary of the 50p Commemorative 50p BU Pack

50 years of the 50p 2019 BU product images 6 - The BRAND NEW 50p issue that’s sure to be this year’s must-have release

To give as many collectors as possible the chance to own this coin, The Royal Mint has issued it in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, which is coveted by collectors as it means each coin is free from any marks you would find on circulated coins.

Each one is protectively encapsulated in its attractive original Royal Mint packaging to preserve its quality for generations to come. What’s more, you can secure this BU Pack at the Royal Mint issue price of just £10 (+p&p). Click here to find out more >>>

50th Anniversary of the 50p Commemorative 50p Silver Proof Coin

CL 50 years of the 50p 2019 Silver Proof product images 4 - The BRAND NEW 50p issue that’s sure to be this year’s must-have release

However, you can own the special commemorative 50p in an even more exclusive way – so exclusive just 3,500 collectors worldwide can own it.  

This version is sure to sell incredibly quickly. Remember when The Royal Mint re-issued for 2019 some of the most iconic 50ps, to celebrate the anniversary, in Silver Proof quality the popularity was unprecedented. In fact the full allocation of 3,500 COMPLETELY SOLD OUT within two hours.

That’s the same edition limit as this single coin.

The coin has the same design, but comes presented in a bespoke Royal Mint presentation box and is struck in superior .925 Sterling Silver to a perfect proof finish. Given how popular commemorative 50ps are, this exclusive precious metal version is sure to be an even bigger hit.

You can secure this limited edition coin for your collection now for just £55 (+p&p) – that’s the Royal Mint issue priceClick here to find out more >>>

50th Anniversary of the 50p Commemorative 50p Silver Piedfort Coin

CL 50 years of the 50p 2019 Silver Proof Piedfort product images 4 - The BRAND NEW 50p issue that’s sure to be this year’s must-have release

But, there is an even more limited way to own this coin – as a Silver Proof Piedfort. Limited to just 1,969 collectors across the globe, this coin is nearly twice as rare as the regular Silver Proof version.

Piedforts are the pinnacle of Royal Mint craftsmanship. They are highly-sought after amongst collectors and stand out for many reasons:

  • Twice the weight and thickness of a regular Silver Proof coin
  • Double the amount of Silver
  • Low edition limits
  • Fast sell-out rates

What’s more, 50p Piedforts are extremely rare. To my knowledge only about 20 or so have ever been minted and as such are always highly sought-after.

In fact, they are so in demand that the 2019 UK Stephen Hawking 50p Silver Proof Piedfort, with a higher edition limit of 2,500, COMPLETELY SOLD OUT at The Royal Mint within two hours.

You can secure this limited edition coin for your collection now for just £19 (+p&p), followed by 4 further equal interest-free instalments. Click here to find out more >>>

Smashing News! Wallace and Gromit are coming to The Royal Mint

I hope you’ve got some cheese (Wensleydale anyone?) and crackers to hand to celebrate the news that the iconic British animated duo – Wallace and Gromit – will be coming to The Royal Mint!

Not many details have been revealed yet, though we have our fingers crossed that the plasticine pair will indeed be featured on a UK coin. 

DN 2019 wallace and gromit coming soon blog image 650px 1024x866 - Smashing News! Wallace and Gromit are coming to The Royal Mint

In fact, later this year the cheery inventor and his faithful ‘Dogwarts’-educated canine companion will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of their very first stop-motion animation that’s become a classic – “A Grand Day Out”. And I’m sure you’d agree – a commemorative coin would be the perfect way to celebrate this milestone anniversary.

If you want to be kept up to date, and be the first to know about all things Wallace and Gromit related, then register your interest below. We’ll then email you as soon as we hear anything more from our sources.

In the meantime let’s have a look at what happened when another one of Britain’s best loved fictional characters came to The Royal Mint…

UK 2019 Gruffalo Silver Proof 50p Coin Reverse Lifestyle - Smashing News! Wallace and Gromit are coming to The Royal Mint

On the 23rd March the Gruffalo celebrated its 20th birthday, and to mark this landmark publication anniversary a brand new UK 50p was released. This was the first time ever the popular children’s book character had appeared on UK coinage.

To say the release was popular is an understatement, as fans and collectors alike were quick to snap up the coin. Collectors were so quick in fact that the silver and gold proof versions – with edition limits of 25,000 and 600 respectively – completely sold out at The Royal Mint within 12 hours of release.

This made it the fastest selling 50p to date!

No doubt the question on everyone’s lips now is what will happen when Wallace and Gromit arrive at The Royal Mint – will they be appearing on a UK coin and if so will we see another record breaking sell-out? But perhaps the biggest question of all – will it be made of cheese?

There’s only one way to find out – register your interest below!

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First Look: The Royal Mint UK 2019 Commemorative Coins

Each year, The Royal Mint marks important British anniversaries, events or accomplishments on our coins and today we are delighted to reveal the UK’s new coin designs for 2019.

Scroll down for a first look at all five of the brand new designs…


The 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Victoria £5

After ascending to the throne in 1838 Queen Victoria’s reign became the longest reign of a British monarch at the time. She oversaw a time of great change and expansion of the British Empire. This £5 coin has been issued to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of her birth and depicts some of the momentous changes in the British Empire witnessed under her rule, including advances in the industrial revolution due to the power of steam and the invention of the telephone and penny-farthing bicycle.


The 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings £2

On 6th June 1944 the largest seaborne invasion in history took place. The operation began the liberation of German occupied France during World War II, and D-Day, as it came to be known, laid the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front. This £2 coin has been issued to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings and its success which paved the way for the surrender of Nazi Germany. The coin features the 5 beaches codenamed Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword, where the invasion took place.


The 350th Anniversary of Samuel Pepys’ Last Diary Entry £2

Samuel Pepys is recognised as the most famous diarist who ever lived, providing valuable first-hand accounts of life in 17th century London and the English Restoration period. His private diary, which he kept from 1660-1669, also provides important eyewitness accounts of landmark events in British history, including the Great Plague of London and the Great Fire of London. This £2 coin has been issued to mark 350 years since Pepys’ last diary entry and features one of his famous diary excerpts written in shorthand.


The 260th Anniversary of the Formation of Wedgwood £2

After Josiah Wedgwood founded the company in 1759, Wedgwood quickly became a pioneer for British pottery, taking it from a craft to an international industry. Largely taking inspiration from ancient cultures and mythologies the company was responsible for creating the ceramic bodies Queen’s Ware (1762), Black Basalt (1768) and Jasper Ware (1774) which remain famous today. This £2 coin has been specially designed by the Wedgwood designers to celebrate 260 years since the establishment of the company.


The 160th Anniversary of the Birth of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 50p

The prolific writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is best known for his incredibly popular detective stories featuring the fictional Sherlock Holmes. It is said his works revolutionised the crime genre, and despite Doyle sharing an ambivalent relationship with his famous character, Holmes appeared in 4 novels and 56 short stories, resulting in Doyle becoming one of the best-paid authors of the time. This 50p coin has been issued to mark 160 years since the renowned author’s birth, and features his iconic character Sherlock Holmes.


All of these designs are stunning and there’s no doubt that these coins will only become more desirable in the years to come.

Let us know in the comments which coin is your favourite!


If you’re interested…

You can secure the brand new 2019 coins in the Brilliant Uncirculated coin pack.
Each coin has been struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated finish and is ready to display in an informative presentation pack. This pack features the definitive circulating coins and 5 new commemorative coins issued for 2019.

2019 Coins RM Annual BU Pack - First Look: The Royal Mint UK 2019 Commemorative Coins

Click here for more details >>