The coins that find their way into your change…
Coins from Crown dependencies and overseas British territories can sometimes make an unexpected appearance in our change.
Sure, this can be an annoyance as technically the coins are not legal tender in the UK, but from a collecting point of view, new and interesting designs are always a bonus!
In our latest coin hunt competition, we went head to head with 10 YouTube Coin Hunters for a 50p coin hunt and it was amazing to see how many of the teams stumbled across coins that shouldn’t be in our change…
Here are some of the unexpected coins we came across:
2012 Bailiwick of Jersey 50p
Yasmin and I were lucky enough to come across this 2012 Bailiwick of Jersey 50p in our coin hunt.
The coin features Jersey’s Grosnez Castle on the reverse surrounded by the lettering ‘Bailiwick of Jersey’. The obverse features the Arnold Machin engraving of Queen Elizabeth II.
Interestingly, 2012 dated Bailiwick of Jersey 50p coins were also struck in 2013 and 2014, giving this particular coin a total mintage of 365,000.
Jersey’s coinage is not legal tender in the rest of the UK, but the lower mintage figures of the island’s coins compared to the UK makes them particularly scarce and collectible, so it was a great surprise to find a Jersey coin amongst our 50ps!
Jersey’s coin mintages are significantly lower because of their smaller population of only 100,000.
2012 Guernsey Freesia Flowers 50p
During his coin hunt, Christopher Collects managed to find a 2012 Freesia Flowers coin from Guernsey.
This beautiful 50p features two crossed freesia flowers on the reverse design, however it is the obverse design which is particularly special.
The obverse features Raphael Maklouf’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with the lettering ‘Bailiwick of Guernsey’ above, and also a small Guernsey Coat of Arms to the left.
This addition on the obverse makes the Guernsey 50p stand out when compared to UK 50p coins.
We don’t know the mintage figures for this coin, however it will likely be fairly low when compared to UK figures, due to Guernsey’s smaller population.
2018 Isle of Man Imperial State Crown 50p
Coin Cupboard was very lucky and also found a Bailiwick of Jersey 50p, as well as an Imperial State Crown 50p from the Isle of Man.
The Imperial State Crown 50p was issued in 2018 as part of a five coin set celebrating the Sapphire Coronation Anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
A limited number of each coin entered circulation on the Isle of Man, although we don’t know the exact mintage figure for this coin.
The reverse design shows the Coronation Crown and the obverse features Jody Clark’s most recent portrait of the Queen which, unlike UK coins, includes her shoulders.
1999 East Caribbean States 1 Dollar
Whilst you might expect a few British Isles coins to turn up every now and again, we certainly weren’t expecting to find this coin in our 50p bank bag!
In fact, both team Change Checker and Dom Collects came across one of these unusual coins in our change.
This 1 dollar was issued from 1989 to 2000 in the Eastern Caribbean States, but how did it find its way into our UK change?
As a British Overseas Territory, the East Caribbean States currency features the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.
This, along with the coin’s size which is very close to the UK 50p, means it has managed to get mixed up with UK change and passed off as a 50p.
However, there is one very significant difference between this coin and a 50p, and that’s the shape. The East Caribbean States dollar is actually decagonal (10 sided) and features milling along every other edge of the coin.
You can imagine just how surprising it was to come across this coin in the middle of our 50p hunt, and how unusual still that we weren’t the only team to find one!
It just goes to show how many fascinating coins find their way into our change and why it’s always worthing checking to see if you’ve found a coin which was intended for circulation in the UK.
Secure your Guernsey Freesia Flowers 50p coin today!
You can now secure the Guernsey Freesia Flowers 50p for your British Isles collection.
I used to have quite a few 50ps, £1 and 20ps of Territory coins but they were stolen last year. I only have 6 50ps (1969 Jersey, three lions on shield – 1984 & 1989 Jersey, Grosnez Castle – 1988 Gibralter, 50 pence surrounded by Gibralter candytuff – 1985 Isle of Man, Viking longship & 2015 Isle of Man, Milner’s tower) and 1 £1 2001 Guernsey, finance motif)
Also gained an Irish 1979 50p
I had a few pound of Territory 50s and £1 coins until they were stolen. Only have 6 50s and 1 £1 left which were separate at the time. Will NEVER get any more £1s but still chances of getting more 50s.
Loads of guernsey ?? 50p
hi iv got kids of guernsey ?? 2012 50p coins montage figure s 731000 as I’m from guernsey ?? ? lol also got lids of ? crapo
Coins 2016 dated
I have a Barbados $1 dollar with a Flying fish on reverse 2007 found in my change
I have two(2) 2015 50p coins, one with date top left, head side and one with date on bottom right, is this right? British coins.
Hi Patrick, is it the Battle of Britain 50p you are referring to? This coin was issued for circulation in 2015 featuring the 5th portrait obverse design by Jody Clark which shows the date top left, however a Brilliant Uncirculated version was also issued in 2015 (not intended for circulation) which featured the 4th portrait obverse design by Ian-Rank Broadley and this actually shows the date on the bottom right of the coin. You can read all about the variations in this coin here: https://www.changechecker.org/2016/02/19/spot-the-difference-the-battle-of-britain-50p-that-has-caused-a-stir/
H Rachel, So sorry to confuse you, I should have said 10p and not 50ps, does the same apply, they are both shield coins.
No problem Patrick, the same applies to the 10p coins as well. Thanks, Rachel
I found that article very interesting, and have come across some of those 50p s in my time.
I have also come across some unusual 20 p s , so how about doing a blog about them.
Thanks Malcolm! Which 20p coins have you found? Many of the Guernsey/Jersey/Isle of Man lower denominations feature really lovely designs.
I have in my collection the freesia 50p date 1990 and another dated 1997 one is the original size and the other is the newer version, both Baliwick of Guernsey and both have the coat of arms next to the queens head.
Did you find these in your UK change Michael? Great ones to add to your collection!
I have two of the Freesia 50ps – one is 2008 and one 2003.
I also have an Isle of Man Milners Tower dated 2009, and one with Motorbikes on dated 1997.
All found in change over the past few years. Are these of any value?
Hi Denise, it sounds like you’re building up a great collection of coins from the British Isles. Due to the smaller population, these coins typically have lower mintage figures than UK coins. Unfortunately we don’t offer valuations and it can often be hard to track down the exact mintage figures to say for sure how rare these coins are, but they do often sell for above face value on eBay.
I’m wondering if it’s possible to get blank cards for the change checker plus pages.
Hi Dan, you can indeed. You’ll find them here: https://www.westminstercollection.com/coins/change-checker-shop/accessories/change-checkerplus.aspx