Coins to mark 80 years since VE Day launched by Royal Mint
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Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Last batch of rare final Queen Elizabeth II £1 coins entering circulation
Last batch of rare final Queen Elizabeth II £1 coins entering circulation More than 23 million Queen coins are being released alongside 7.5 million new King Charles III £1 coins. The final batch of Queen Elizabeth II £1 coins are entering circulation across the UK, the Royal Mint has announced. More than 23 million Queen coins are being released alongside 7.5 million new King Charles III £1 coins. The Royal Mint said the last of the Elizabeth II coins, dated 2022, are the rarest £1 coins in active circulation. The historic transition – with the dual release of almost 31 million coins – represents a significant moment for UK coinage, as the nation witnesses the changeover from Britain's longest-reigning monarch to her son and heir on the £1 denomination, the Royal Mint said. The Queen's £1 coins will be the final ones bearing Elizabeth II's portrait to enter circulation. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: "This release represents a pivotal moment in British coinage history. Article continues below "As we release more of the King Charles III £1 coins into circulation alongside the final coins of Queen Elizabeth II, we're witnessing the physical representation of our monarchy's transition. "This dual release creates an exceptional opportunity for both seasoned numismatists and those new to coin collecting." The Royal Mint is encouraging the public to check its change over the coming weeks, as the new coins begin to appear in pockets and tills across the nation. Ms Morgan added: "Finding these new coins in your change could spark a rewarding hobby that connects you with the heritage, history and craftsmanship behind British currency." Since the introduction of the King's effigy on UK coinage in 2023, the 50p and £1 are the only denominations with Charles's portrait to have entered circulation so far. The King's £1 coins feature an intricate bee design on the reverse and are part of the Definitive collection, inspired by the flora and fauna of the British Isles. Article continues below Some 2.975 million £1s with the King's effigy were released in August last year. In total, there are around 24.7 billion coins in circulation across the UK, with the King's coins representing only around 0.004% of those, making his new coins highly desirable to collectors. All UK coins bearing the Queen's portrait will remain legal tender and in active circulation to allow a smooth transition and minimise the environmental impact and cost.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Expert explains how to spot a rare 50p that could be worth up to £2,000
Just a few hundred of the coins were minted and released into circulation An expert has urged Brits to keep an eye out for a 'rare' and 'valuable' 50p coin worth far more than its face value. A specific version of this 2011 coin could sell for as much as £2,000. According to the Coin Collecting Wizard, an expert who shares advice online, the coin you want to get your hands on is part of a collection to commemorate the 2012 Olympics in London. Known as the 'aquatics' coin it features a swimmer wearing goggles and a cap. However, only the earliest versions of the coin are particularly valuable. These could fetch up to £2,000 at auction. The expert said: 'The Olympics Swimming 50p is one of the most famous and valuable modern UK coins with a rare version fetching up to £2,000. Released in 2011 as part of the 29-coin London 2012 Olympic series the original design featured a swimmer with water lines running across their face to represent the pool surface.' If your coin depicts these water lines you are in luck. 'Shortly after production began the Royal Mint decided the lines obscured too much detail and redesigned the coin so the swimmer's face was clearly visible,' he continued. 'Only around 600 of the original water lines version were released before the change making it one of the lowest mintage 50p coins ever to enter circulation. Its extreme rarity coupled with its unique design quirk has turned it into a holy grail for change hunters. 'If you find one in your pocket you could be holding a coin worth thousands. So remember, the normal version - just 50p - but lines over swimmer's face, then you just made two grand.' At the time of reporting, the Britannia Coin Company has an uncirculated version of this coin listed for £3,995. The website details: "These coins are eagerly sought by coin collectors and the 2011 aquatics coin, designed by Jonathan Olliffe, is already a fairly rare release. "In the more common version of this BU 50p the face of the swimmer is clearly visible under the swimming pool waters. In this rare variation watery lines appear across the swimmers goggle-wearing visage. Supposedly only 600 of these 'lines across the face' 'Aquatics 50ps were issued before the design was changed making them the rarest base metal 50p ever released."
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Two 'rarest' 50p coins could be in your change - and they're worth over £200
An expert shared how to spot these valuable coins that are highly sought-after by collectors. Brits have been urged to keep an eye out for two rare 50p coins currently in circulation. Combined these pieces could sell for as much as £230 to collectors. When it comes to rare coins you may think that it is only older pieces that are sought after by experts. While antique coins can be valuable, the same is true of modern ones. In a video shared to social media platform TikTok, an expert known as the Coin Collecting Wizard, alerted his followers to two particularly special coins. Both are still used in the UK today, having been minted in recent years. 'The top two rarest 50 pence coins you can find in your change,' he said. Firstly he described what is currently deemed by the Royal Mint as the 'rarest' 50p coin. This piece came as part of a new collection featuring King Charles III on the obverse following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. On its reverse is the picture of a fish - or an Atlantic salmon to be more precise. The expert continued: 'We start with the rarest 50p coin, which is this one right here. Known as the Atlantic salmon from 2023, this is a fairly new coin with only 200,000 out there in the wild.' However, there are a couple of markers to check on the coin to ensure it is valuable. He said: 'But you must make sure it is dated 2023 and has no privy mark on the King side of the coin. If you find this 50 pence, then you can easily sell this one for around £80 to collectors.' He then talked about another 50p coin which was previously known to be the rarest of its kind. The Kew Gardens coin, which features an image of the garden's famous pagoda. Although less rare, this coin tends to sell for even more than the salmon. 'This one is the second rarest 50 pence but actually, quite surprisingly, the most valuable,' he added. 'This is known as the Kew Gardens 50 pence from 2009 and because it's so old and only two or ten thousand were ever made, it makes this coin very valuable to collectors. 'Even though it's in second place as the rarest, if you find the Kew Gardens in your change then no matter the condition you are selling this for around £150.' On it's website, the Royal Mint notes that both these coins are rare. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint said: 'The releasing of mintage figures is an eagerly anticipated event among the coin collecting community – and this year is particularly exciting as we reveal the Atlantic Salmon as the rarest 50p in circulation. 'For the first time in 15 years, the highly collectable Kew Gardens 50p loses its top spot as the rarest in circulation with the Atlantic Salmon 50p splashing its way to number one. '2023 marked pivotal changes for the nation's coinage, including the introduction of coins celebrating King Charles III's coronation entering circulation. Finding these special designs, like the Atlantic Salmon, in your change is a win for all collectors.'
