The Diamond Jubilee coin that never was
It has been revealed that a special six-sided coin was very nearly released to commemorate one of the most significant celebrations in British history – the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
The coin was on the verge of being created and almost sent off for Royal approval when the proposal was rejected by senior staff at the Royal Mint.
Along with the selection of different £5 coins that were issued by the Royal Mint to mark the momentous occasion in 2012, this six-sided coin with a denomination of 60p could have also been part of the collection.
Although the Royal Mint has refused to release an image of the proposed coin, it has been revealed it would have been a bi-colour coin and issued as a commemorative collectable rather than for general circulation.
We almost had a 60p coin and it would have looked like a coin gone mad https://t.co/JpFp0vtYAv pic.twitter.com/eWNmWNmVkt
— Mike Wright (@MikeJGWright) December 31, 2015
Unfortunately the idea for the coin was abandoned as papers from the Royal Mint Advisory Committee has revealed the commemorative coin programme was already ‘sufficiently comprehensive’.
It has been assumed the Royal Mint believed the coin would be of great public interest to mark an event of huge national importance and in a letter to Mr Osbourne in 2011, suggested the occasion should be marked with more than one type of commemorative coin.
So what do you think? Would you have liked to see a 6 sided 60p coin issued in celebration for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee or were you happy with the coins released?
Let us know your thoughts via Facebook, Twitter or comment below!
Why you won’t be finding any 2016 £1 Coins in your change
If you’re holding out for 2016 to own the final circulating £1 coin you’ll be waiting in vain…
The final batch of round £1 coins intended for circulation have just come off the production line at the Royal Mint. And the Royal Mint has confirmed that the only 2016 coins will be collector’s version of the £1 coin.
But what about the 2016 design?
Earlier this year the Royal Mint confirmed that 2016 will see the last ‘round pound’, calling time on a coin which was first issued more than thirty years ago.
The 2016 coin will be the 25th design to feature on the £1 coin since it was introduced in 1983 as a replacement for the less robust £1 note.
The Last Round £1 Coin will never enter general circulation.
The design, which features four animals representing each of the four constituent UK countries, will not be available in general circulation but is currently available in a brilliant uncirculated collector’s edition.
It is estimated that over 50 million £1 coins in circulation are fake and counterfeits are becoming a closer match, making it extremely difficult to spot the difference. The new 12-sided £1 will be made from 2 different metals and has been billed to become the most secure circulating coin in the world.
To find out more about the new 12-sided coin that will replace the round pound in March 2017 read our previous blog here.
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Britain’s last round pound
Own the Last ‘Round Pound’ in brilliant uncirculated condition
If you want to get your hands on the 2016 last ‘round pound’ they are available here protectively encapsulated in certified brilliant uncirculated condition
Beatrix Potter revealed as the latest theme for 2016
2016 is already set to be an exciting year for Change Checkers with some key commemorative themes in the pipeline. But now the Royal Mint have pulled another rabbit out of their hat…
Beatrix Potter wrote and illustrated more than 20 children’s books including ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’
Peter Rabbit to be precise!
2016 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter, and a Royal Proclamation published on Friday has confirmed that one of Britain’s best-loved authors will be commemorated on two 50p coins next year.
National treasure
Beatrix Potter wrote and illustrated more than 20 children’s books starring characters such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck and Benjamin Bunny. Her charming stories have captured the imagination of children for generations and earned her status as a national treasure.
Her inclusion on next year’s coins is sure to be a welcome surprise for Change Checkers, but what can we expect from the designs?
As well as declaring the specification, each Royal Proclamation also gives a description of the design of any new coin. The first, as stated in the London Gazette, will feature:
- “A silhouette of Beatrix Potter accompanied by an image of Peter Rabbit surrounded by a floral motif with the inscription “BEATRIX POTTER 1866 1943”.
- The second will use a more simplistic design: “A portrait of Peter Rabbit with the inscription “PETER RABBIT”
A first for UK coins
Never has a female literary figure been commemorated on a UK coin, so the two new Beatrix Potter 50ps are likely to be in high demand once they finally make it into circulation.
Are you happy to see Beatrix Potter commemorated on our coins next year? Let us know your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter