Could the 2020 Team GB become the most sought-after 50p ever?
Issued as part of the 2020 Annual Coin Set, the 50p coin supporting Team GB at the Tokyo Olympic Games has quickly become the talk of the collecting world…
As the news broke that this year’s Olympic Games would be postponed until 2021, collectors were soon asking the question, “What will happen to the 2020 Team GB 50p?”
Despite being released at the start of the year within the Annual Coin Set, the coin is yet to be individually released. We now know that this too will be postponed, in line with the Olympic Games, meaning collectors will have to wait until 2021 for the individual release of the Team GB 50p.
Two versions of the Team GB 50p
Excitingly, this will mean that there are two versions of the coin – one with the obverse dated 2020 from this year’s Annual Coin Set and one with the obverse dated 2021 for next year’s individual release.
The reverse design by David Knapton currently depicts the individual Olympic sports accompanied by the Olympic Rings, the Team GB logo, the inscription ‘TEAM GB’ and the date ‘2020’. But will this also be updated to reflect the new date of the Games – 2021?
Already in high demand
Already, the 2020 version of the Team GB 50p is being listed on secondary market sites for well over face value, as collectors rush to secure this version of the coin.
In fact, it appears that collectors have removed the coin from Annual Sets and is seen selling on eBay for over £35.
Demand for the 2020 version of the Team GB 50p is sure to be high, especially as it is only available as part of the Annual Set, meaning far fewer will be minted than if it were individually released.
Olympic 50p craze
Olympic themed coins are no stranger to the limelight…
In fact, it was the 2012 Olympic 50p collecting craze which kick started many collector’s interest in the hobby.
Since then an estimated 75% of these coins have been removed from circulation by collectors adding them to their collection.
And so collectors were delighted in 2016 when The Royal Mint issued a special 50p to wish Team GB success for the Rio 2016 Games, considered by many to be the 30th Olympic 50p.
The coin’s obverse features a swimmer with the Team GB logo, the Olympic rings and the inscription ‘TEAM GB’. Designed by Tim Sharp, the coin has been officially endorsed by Team GB and celebrates the spirit of British Olympians – a must have for all Olympic 50p Collectors.
But now as the 2020 Team GB 50p takes centre stage, the coin collecting community has been sent into a frenzy once more.
I’m sure not only Olympic 50p collectors, but all Change Checkers will be really eager to secure this highly sought-after coin and will also be looking forward to the individual release of the updated version next year.
Own the 2020 Team GB 50p in the Brilliant Uncirculated Annual Coin Set
Don’t miss the opportunity to secure the sought-after 2020 Team GB 50p as part of the Annual Coin Set.
Own the set today in Brilliant Uncirculated quality for £40.00 (+p&p).
Winning “50p” design released as Official Medal in support of Cavell Nurses’ Trust
Over the last few weeks and months, our nation has been inspired time and again by the incredible Key Workers who are on the front line, helping us through this challenging time.
In fact, people all across the UK are showing their support for our heroes during the weekly clap and with the beautiful rainbow pictures adorning our windows. And Change Checkers have also been making a special effort to give their thanks.
We asked Change Checkers to pay tribute to the UK’s Key Worker heroes by creating a coin design in recognition of their tireless work.
The top designs were selected from each category to be transformed into a virtual 50p and we were absolutely blown away by the entries!
But the best news is, we are incredibly excited to announce that one of the winning designs has been specially selected to be adapted into a special Rainbow of Hope Thank You Medal!
New Specially Issued Medal
The Rainbow of Hope Thank You Medal has been specially issued in support of Cavell Nurses’ Trust with all Ex-VAT sales going directly to support the work of the Trust at this critical time.
Reverse designer Sean Simon said, “I’m honoured and humbled to be a part of something of this scale, which will be beneficial to such a great cause. I work as an SEN school teacher and have many members of my family who work across the NHS and other key areas. As a school teacher I found this to be a great opportunity to show my appreciation to all the key workers across the UK who are working so hard during such difficult times. A rainbow was a must for the design as there are many children who may not understand the situation but are making the most of being inside. My children have thoroughly enjoyed making their own rainbows and looking for other rainbows during our daily walk.”
Say “Thank You” to our Key Worker Heroes
You can now say “Thank You” to all our health workers and carers along with all other Key Workers, with the Rainbow of Hope Thank You Medal and at the same time you’ll be supporting the vital work of Cavell Nurses’ Trust helping nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants suffering personal or financial hardship.
From simple, essential support like money to repair a broken cooker or boiler, to vital life-changing aid like helping a family flee their home due to domestic abuse, Cavell Nurses’ Trust is here to help. Never has their work been more important than during the current Coronavirus crisis.
All Proceeds Going To Charity
What’s more, The Westminster Collection will be donating 100% of the ex-VAT proceeds for every Rainbow of Hope Thank You Medal sold to Cavell Nurses’ Trust to support nursing and midwifery professionals in their time of need.
Our Nation’s Key Workers are risking their lives to help keep us safe – let’s do all we can to show our support and give something back!
Support the UK’s Key Worker Heroes when you order the Rainbow of Hope Thank You Medal
The Rainbow of Hope Thank You Medal is your chance to say thank you to our key worker heroes, with all proceeds going directly to support the work of the Cavell Nurses’ Trust at this critical time.
So please click here to order yours today – whether it’s to keep or give to a special key worker.
Our Top Five British Authors celebrated on coins
On this day, 265 years ago, Samuel Johnson’s English Dictionary was officially published.
The dictionary is considered to be one of the most influential pieces of scholarship in the history of the English Language.
So influential in fact, it was used by famous authors such as Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy and Oscar Wilde. The dictionary took eight years to compile and listed 40,000 words – quite the achievement!
In 2005, The Royal Mint honoured Johnson’s gruelling work with the ‘Dictionary’ 50p, issued to mark the 250th anniversary of its publication.
To celebrate 15 years since the release of this coin, we thought we would take the opportunity to explore the UK coins celebrating great British authors who have used Johnson’s dictionary.
Now, as many Change Checkers will already know, there’s been no shortage of great authors celebrated on our coinage – from classic children’s authors like Beatrix Potter and Julia Donaldson, to Victorian greats like Charles Dickens and Conan Doyle – there’s a big selection of coins to choose from!
To keep it simple, we’ve selected our Top Five below…
#5 2020 William Wordsworth £5
A brand new coin creeping in here in 5th place. This coin was issued in March of 2020 to celebrate 250 years since the birth of the famous poet and this is the first time Wordsworth has been celebrated on a UK coin.
Wordsworth is considered one of the most popular poets to have written in the English language, gaining fame during the beginning of the English Romantic period.
Designed by David Lawrence, the reverse features lines taken from one of Wordsworth’s most celebrated poems, ‘Tintern Abbey’.
#4 Beatrix Potter Series
It just wouldn’t be a Change Checker coin list without the Beatrix Potter 50p series making an appearance – coming in 4th place here!
Beatrix Potter’s book ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’ has sold some 150 million copies since its release in 1903. The much-loved children’s character was initially featured on a 50p coin in 2016.
The 50p designs by Emma Noble have been taken straight from the illustrations of the original books and started an unprecedented collecting phenomenon. The series continued throughout 2016, 2017 and 2018 with a standalone Peter Rabbit 50p being issued in 2019 and 2020 as well.
#3 2012 Charles Dickens £2
A list of great authors wouldn’t be complete without Charles Dickens, and a list of great coins wouldn’t be complete without the Charles Dickens £2!
Dickens’ enchanting stories, vivid characters, and depiction of Victorian life are widely acknowledged across the world by critics and scholars alike and his novels and short stories continue to be widely popular to this day.
The reverse design of this £2 coin by Matthew Dent features Dickens’ recognisable profile crafted from the titles of his most famous works.
This coin had a circulating mintage of 8,190,000 and is one of my personal favourites!
#2 2020 Agatha Christie £2
First seen as part of the 2020 Annual Coin Set, the 2020 Agatha Christie £2 coin takes our 2nd place!
Issued to mark the 100th anniversary of Dame Agatha Christie’s genre-defining murder mysteries, the author of 66 detective novels and 150 short stories, Agatha Christie has justly earned the title of the ‘Queen of Crime’.
The reverse design of this coin, by David Lawrence, depicts a jigsaw puzzle with a question mark, representing the mystery behind her stories.
We are yet to find out if this coin will be issued for general circulation, but if it is we’re certain Change Checkers will be rushing to find it
#1 2019 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 50p
Our personal favourite, and taking the #1 spot, the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 50p! And for us, there really could be no other winner..
Conon Doyle revolutionised the crime genre with his creation of one Britain’s best-loved detectives, Sherlock Holmes.
To mark the 160th anniversary of Doyle’s birth, The Royal Mint issued a commemorative 50p coin paying homage to the author’s legendary works.
The reverse has been designed by Stephen Raw and features a silhouette of Sherlock Holmes smoking a pipe, surrounded by a few of the most-famous Holmes story titles.
This coin only went into circulation in 2019 so we’re yet to hear what the mintage figure is for this special 50p but we’re certain any Change Checker lucky enough to have come across this in their change will be keeping tight hold of it!
So there we have it! Britain’s best authors celebrated on UK coinage! We’ve shared our Top Five, now what are yours? Let us know in the comments below!
Secure the 2019 UK Sherlock Holmes CERTIFIED BU 50p for your collection
