Posts by Change Checker
First ever Princess Anne £5 honours a lifetime of service
As The Princess Royal celebrates her 75th birthday in 2025, a UK £5 coin has been issued to mark the milestone.
Issued by The Royal Mint and personally approved by Princess Anne herself, the 2025 UK 75th Birthday of Princess Anne £5 is the first ever UK coin dedicated to Her Royal Highness.
A Royal and numismatic first
This coin marks a numismatic first, as Princess Anne has never before featured on a UK coin, and to make it extra special, The Princess Royal personally approved the design.
The reverse design features Princess Anne’s official Coat of Arms, along with an official photographic portrait by acclaimed royal photographer John Swannell, Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.
Secure your 2025 UK 75th Birthday of Princess Anne £5 >>
Honouring a lifetime of service
From her earliest days, Princess Anne has remained one of the hardest-working royals, carrying out public duties since the age of 18 and supporting over 300 charities and organisations.
Image Credit: Chatham House, via Wikimedia Commons
Whether it’s representing the UK abroad, or devoting time to causes close to her heart, The Princess Royal has spent decades showing what it truly means to serve.
Passion for equestrianism
Her Royal Highness is perhaps best known for her love horses and her passion for equestrianism. Did you know, Princess Anne became the first member of the British Royal Family to compete in the Olympic Games? She represented Great Britain in eventing at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, however she unfortunately fell from her horse after he hit the 19th fence on the steeplechase course.
Her trusted mount, Doublet – a Thoroughbred cross gelding – helped her to victory at the 1971 European Eventing Championships, where she claimed individual gold. This dedication to the sport not only showcased her skill and determination, but also cemented her status as one of the most respected figures in the equestrian world.
Image Credit: The Gait Post
The 2025 UK 75th Birthday of Princess Anne £5 is a fitting tribute to her legacy and unwavering commitment to the Crown.
Secure your 2025 UK 75th Birthday of Princess Anne £5
Add the 2025 UK 75th Birthday of Princess Anne £5 to your collection today for just £16.99 (+p&p) >>
Spot the difference: The Battle of Britain 50p that caused a stir!
In 2015, a UK 50p was issued to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and quickly earned recognition in the collecting world.
Not only did the design by sculptor Gary Breeze gain a positive reception from the public, it was also the first UK commemorative coin to be issued with THREE different obverses!
The Brilliant Uncirculated Battle of Britain 50p was issued early in 2015 featuring the 4th portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley on the obverse, but NO denomination on either side of the coin! It was quickly dubbed an error coin and some chancers managing to sell the coins on the secondary market for nearly £100 each!
After the controversy surrounding the coin erupted, the Royal Mint confirmed that the Battle of Britain 50p intended for circulation later on in the year WOULD include the ’50 PENCE’ denomination AND the then new 5th portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark. But was this after they had realised their mistake?
It doesn’t stop there though, as the Silver Proof version of the Battle of Britain 50p featured yet another different obverse, showing the 5th portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark but NO DENOMINATION.
It’s never been officially confirmed whether this was a true error or whether there was a die mix up during the year that the coinage portrait changed, but either way it sure makes for interesting collecting!
And then there were four…
In 2019, to mark both the 75th anniversary of D Day and the 50th Anniversary of the 50p, The Royal Mint reissued the Battle of Britain 50p as part of the 50p Military Set.
The 2019 Reissued Battle of Britain 50p featured the reissued date 2019 and Jody Clark’s QEII portrait, meaning there are now officially FOUR different obverses you can find on a Battle of Britain 50p!
Do you have any of the Battle of Britain 50ps in your collection?
Let us know in the comments if you’ve found a rare version of the Battle of Britain 50p in your change, or perhaps you have one of each of the 4 different obverses!
Commemorate the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
You can get your hand on the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain Gold Plated 50p from The Westminster Collection for just £4.99 when you trial the Battle of Britain 85th Anniversary Gold-plated 50p Collection.
UK Banknotes set for major redesign with the public’s help!
It’s official, a brand new series of UK banknotes is on the horizon, and for the first time in over 50 years, they’re getting a major redesign. But what’s even more exciting is that the public has been invited to help choose the theme!
As collectors, we know how thrilling it is when new coins are issued, especially when we get the chance to have our say on the designs – such as the hugely popular 2011 Olympic 50ps that were designed by members of the public. With UK banknotes now getting new designs, get ready to feel that excitement all over again as YOU can influence what appears on the next generation of £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes!
From Churchill to Turing…but what’s next?
Since the 1970s, UK banknotes have proudly showcased some of the UK’s most iconic historical figures. From Sir Winston Churchill to Jane Austen, JMW Turner and Alan Turing, these individuals have all helped define our cultural legacy.
Image Credit: Bank of England
But now, the Bank of England is considering moving beyond portraits to explore new and imaginative themes. While famous Britons aren’t off the table entirely, the idea is to broaden the scope and create something that truly captures the spirit of the UK.
Six key themes
The Bank of England has identified six exciting themes that the public were able to vote for, and they even opened the floor to suggestions of your own.
Chief Cashier of the Bank of England, Victoria Cleland, said “Banknotes are more than just an important means of payment, they serve as a symbolic representation of our collective national identity and an opportunity to celebrate the UK.”
Just like the coins we love to collect, each banknote tells a story, and with over 4.7 billion notes currently in circulation (worth £86 billion!), your input could be part of something truly lasting.
The key themes being considered:
- Notable Historical Figures
Celebrating the people who helped shape Britain’s story. - Nature
From British birds and butterflies to rivers and rolling hills. - Architecture & Landmarks
Think iconic buildings, bridges, and castles across the UK. - Arts, Culture & Sport
Food, film, fashion, music, literature…and even sport! - Noteworthy Events
Historic milestones, social movements, and defining moments. - Innovation
Scientific breakthroughs, engineering feats and technological firsts.
What collectors are saying so far
The BBC reported that within just one day since the news broke, they received over 2,000 responses regarding the new banknote designs. Great ships, famous landmarks, classic TV characters and vintage trains were amongst the most popular suggestions.
The comments have been flooding in at Change Checker too, here’s a sample of what collectors have been saying.
Interestingly, an incredible number of submissions are coming from young people, showing that the younger generation still value the nation’s physical money. You can read more about young people’s designs here >>
Have your say
The public consultation closed on 31st July 2025, and the final decision will rest with the Bank’s Governor.
What would you like to see? Let us know what you’re voting for in the comments!
Safely store your banknote collection
Already have an impression banknote collection? You can securely store and display them in the Change Checker Complete Polymer Banknote Collecting Pack, which includes spaces for King Charles III banknotes!
