The Change Checker 2023 Christmas Quiz!
Merry Quizmas Change Checkers! For a bit of festive fun, here’s a Christmas Quiz to test your numismatic knowledge…
2023 Christmas Coins from around the World!
I don’t know about you, but I am well and truly feeling the Christmas spirit, and now that my Change Checker Advent calendar is counting down to the big day, my excitement is at an all-time high!
But what’s got me even more excited is to see how Santa’s little elves have been busily working away this year to release the most wonderfully festive coins in time for Christmas.
From all across the world we’ve seen renowned Mints issue beautiful Christmas coins that would take pride of place in any collection and I for one would certainly treasure forever (here’s hoping there’s one for me under the tree this year!).
I’ve put together a list of some of my favourite 2023 Christmas coins from around the world that I’d like to share with you, starting of course with the brand new UK Snowman 50p!
UK The Snowman™ 50p
This new release marks the 6th time that The Snowman™ has appeared on our UK coinage!
The very first UK Snowman™ 50p was released in 2018. Since then we’ve been treated to a wonderful new release each year, and you know what, it just doesn’t feel like Christmas until we see the new Snowman™ 50p!
But, what makes this year’s release extra special is that for the first time ever, the obverse features King Charles III’s portrait.
What’s more, the reverse design shows the Snowman™ and James dancing below the Northern Lights – transporting us to the snowy scene straight out of the storybook.
Isle of Man Nativity £2
This traditionally festive £2 coin design from the Isle of Man has been inspired from a Nativity scene depicted on a stained-glass window in Church Kirk Christ, Rushen.
The Isle of Man is well known for their Christmas coins, however last year no such coins were released. But, this year the festivities resumed, as a brand new Christmas £2 coin was released – featuring King Charles III on the obverse for the very first time.
Fittingly, this £2 has been inscribed with the festive greeting ‘Merry Christmas’ in both English and Manx, making for a must-have addition to any Isle of Man coin collection.
Canada Christmas Sledding Lenticular Coin
The Royal Canadian Mint is renowned for its impressive minting technology and this new release reaffirms their excellent craftmanship.
Using lenticular technology, the design of this 50 cent coin changes when titled to create a heartwarming festive scene featuring a polar bear and bunny sledding across the snow.
You’ll notice that unlike the first two coins on our list, this release features Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and that’s because this coin was issued before the Mint revealed their new King Charles III effigy.
Jersey Father Christmas Coloured 50p
Adding a pop of colour to our British Isles Christmas coins is this delightful new 50p release from Jersey.
The obverse design by Glynn Davies is the same King Charles III effigy as seen on the Isle of Man release above, however the reverse design by David Young really sets it apart from the rest!
Santa can be seen in full colour, with a sack of goodies slung across his shoulder – the perfect Christmas scene which is sure to delight both little kids and big kids alike!
Australia Disney 1oz Silver Proof Coin
From The Perth Mint in Australia comes this adorable Mickey and Minnie themed Disney 1oz Silver Proof coin.
Not only was this released in Disney themed packaging, but it was also presented as a hangable Christmas ornament – perfect for collectors down under to hang on their trees!
Just 2,023 of these coins were made available and it’s currently out of stock at the mint – but you can totally see why, as it’s such a fun festive design!
Which of these Christmas coins is your favourite and will you be adding any of them to your wish list this year? Let us know in the comments below!
Own your 2023 UK The Snowman™ 50p
The dinosaur 50ps STOMPING into your collection!
Look out Change Checkers, because a brand new collection of UK Dinosaur 50ps are causing a rumbling in the collecting world! Three roarsome 50ps in the Iconic Specimens Collection have been issued as part of the Tales of the Earth series.
2024 Diplodocus 50p
The third and final 50p in the Iconic Specimens Collection features the Diplodocus, a gentle giant of the late Jurassic period. As one of the most on-display dinosaurs in the world, it’s only fitting that the Diplodocus closes this collection.
The Diplodocus could reach up to 90 feet long, with the neck alone measuring 26 feet! As a herbivore, it had no need for sharp teeth, and was better equipped with peg-like teeth for stripping leaves from branches. Despite its usually docile nature, the Diplodocus boasted a powerful whip-like tail which may have been able to break the sound barrier when cracked, probably used to scare predators or in courtship rituals.
Designer, paleo artist Robert Nicholls had expert guidance from Professor Paul Barret from the Natural History Museum to ensure the Diplodocus was accurately depicted, with its winding neck and impressive serpentine tail. In the foreground, you can even see a Diplodocus skeleton, further emphasising its sheer length.
Secure the 2024 UK Diplodocus 50p for your collection >>
2024 Stegosaurus 50p
The second 50p in the Iconic Specimens collection takes us back to the Jurassic period and pays tribute to the colossal stegosaurus. The stegosaurus is often nicknamed the ‘dumbest dinosaur’ due to its tiny plum-sized brain, however, it had no problem defending itself against predators with its formidable spiked tail.
The 2024 UK Stegosaurus 50p depicts the armoured herbivore in all its glory, with those unmistakable diamond-shaped plates down its back and a powerful spiked tail. In the foreground, you can even see a stegosaurus skeleton amongst Jurassic foliage and the inscription ‘JURASSIC’.
Paleo artist Robert Nichols worked with Professor Paul Barret from the Natural History Museum to create the design, which was based on the world’s most complete stegosaurus specimen – the ‘Sophie’ skeleton.
Did you know?
The time between when the Stegosaurus roamed the earth and the Tyrannosaurus is actually greater than the time separating the Tyrannosaurus and us!
Click here to secure the 2024 UK Stegosaurus 50p for your collection >>
2024 UK T-Rex 50p
Kicking off the new Iconic Specimens collection in December 2023 was the 2024 UK T-Rex 50p, featuring one of the most ferocious predators to ever walk the earth. Not only was this the first time the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex had appeared on a UK 50p, but it was also the first 2024 dated 50p to be issued!
The Tyrannosaurus rex was one of the most fearsome animals of all time, boasting a 5 foot long skull, armed with 60 razor sharp teeth, and a bite 3 times more powerful than a lion!
Perhaps thankfully, you won’t find yourself up against a real T-Rex in this age. However, the ferocious predator is so realistically portrayed on the 2024 T-Rex 50p, that you’ll be instantly transported back to the Cretaceous Period.
The reverse design was created by paleo-artist Robert Nicholls, with expert guidance from Professor Paul Barret from the Natural History Museum. They worked together on a design that portrays the T-Rex ready for action in a defensive stance, bearing its tremendous teeth. In the foreground, you can also see a T-Rex skeleton and the inscriptions ‘TYRANNOSAURUS’ and ‘CRETACEOUS’, in reference to the period in which it lived.
Click here to secure the 2024 UK Tyrannosaurus 50p for your collection >>
Previous Tales of the Earth 50ps
The Royal Mint’s Tales of the Earth series celebrates the most legendary prehistoric creatures to ever roam the planet.
Dinosauria Collection
The series started in 2020 with the Dinosauria collection, which celebrated the first dinosaurs recorded in scientific literature. The Dinosauria collection included 50ps featuring the Iguanodon, the Hylaeosaurus and the Megalosaurus.
Did you know? The Megalosaurus is thought to be the first dinosaur described in scientific literature in the 1600s.
Mary Anning Collection
A year later in 2021, the Mary Anning collection was released, celebrating the first prehistoric creatures discovered by Mary Anning on the Jurassic coast. Mighty prehistoric beasts the Dimorphodon, Plesiosaurus and Temnodontosaurus all featured on UK 50ps.
Did you know? Mary Anning was just 12 years old when she discovered her first fossil. The 5.2 metre long skeleton was studied and eventually named Ichthyosaurus, or ‘fish lizard’, which lived 201-194 million years ago.
Complete your Iconic Specimens 50p Collection
Secure the Iconic Specimens Collection for your collection >>