£5 Coins
Christmas comes early for Change Checkers as new UK coin is announced!
It might only be October, but we’ve already got that festive feeling at Change Checker HQ, as a brand new 2018 Christmas coin has just been announced!
In August we heard the exciting news that a Snowman 50p would be released this year, but on top of this, we are now delighted to reveal an early Christmas present for you all, as The Royal Mint will also be issuing a £5 coin this Christmas, featuring the Nutcracker!
2018 Nutcracker £5 coin
Christmas really has come early for us all, as this beautifully Christmassy, brand new coin for 2018 is now available to add to your Christmas list!
This fantastically festive coin design by acclaimed engraver, Harry Brockway features a magical scene from the Nutcracker ballet.. It is the very first time that the Nutcracker has appeared on a UK coin and is only available in Brilliant Uncirculated quality – dare I say it’s the perfect gift idea if you’re looking to get ahead with your Christmas shopping!
Let’s take a look back at some other UK Christmas Issues…
The FIRST EVER UK Christmas £5 coin
Last year saw the FIRST EVER UK Christmas £5 coin being struck by The Royal Mint, featuring a traditional Christmas tree design by engraver and printmaker Edwina Ellis.
The Christmas tree plays a key role in festive traditions, from decorating with baubles to keeping presents around the tree and opening them, so it is only fitting that one of the most iconic symbols of the festive period was featured on the first UK £5 Christmas Coin.
This seasonal sensation was so popular that The Royal Mint have struck again, and this year’s Nutcracker coin is sure to be another festive favourite!
The Christmas Nativity Story portrayed on the UK £20 Coin
In 2016, The Royal Mint struck a special Fine Silver £20 coin celebrating the Nativity story. The coin was designed by Bishop Gregory Cameron, who also created the design for the last ‘round pound’.
This was the first Christmas coin ever struck by The Royal Mint and was a limited issue with a mintage of only 30,000 coins. Struck in solid fine .999 Silver, this stunning coin weighs in at one half of an ounces – perhaps a bit heavy to hang on your Christmas tree!
The much anticipated Snowman 50p – due to be released later this year
This year will certainly be a merry one, as the Nutcracker £5 isn’t the only Christmas coin to be released this year. As already mentioned, a new 50p coin has been announced, featuring a depiction of the Snowman and the boy flying through the air, as taken from the book ‘The Snowman’.
It’s expected the coin will be issued later this year to celebrate 40 years of Raymond Brigg’s ‘The Snowman’, with commemorative collector’s editions available in Brilliant Uncirculated, Silver and Gold being made available.
So, will you be adding these coins to your Christmas list this year? We think they’re just wonderful and can’t wait to hear what Change Checkers think about these beautiful Christmas designs. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The only Christmas card you’ll want this year!
Why not send some festive cheer to friends and family with the Official Change Checker Christmas Card, featuring this beautiful Nutcracker £5 coin!
It’s the perfect way to wish a loved one merry Christmas so secure yours by clicking here >>
Brand New Official UK Remembrance Day Coin issued today…
2018 is an incredibly poignant year as the world commemorates the First World War Armistice Centenary concluding four years of bloody and gruelling combat, the like of which had never been seen before.
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, the Allies of WWI and Germany signed an agreement for cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of the war, at last bringing peace after 4 years of conflict.
As a tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, a brand new £5 coin has been issued by The Royal Mint for 2018.
Designed by Royal Mint engraver Laura Clancy, the focal point of this year’s design is a stunning poppy design symbolic of the resilient and determined poppies that grew amidst the chaos in the valley of the Somme.
Like last year’s Remembrance Day coin, selective colour printing has been expertly used to draw attention to the vibrant red poppy design, a truly touching tribute to those lost in the war.
We expect this year’s centenary coin to have a very strong reception, based not only on its stunning design, but also the significance of this 100 year anniversary since Armistice.
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Commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One with the Brand New UK £5 Issue
As we reach this important centenary year, we look back with sombre hearts for those lost in the war, and honour their sacrifice and the sacrifices of all those who risked their lives in pursuit of the Allied victory.
Due to the significance of this new coin release, demand for this historic tribute is anticipated to be high!
Secure your 2018 Remembrance Day CERTIFIED BU £5 Coin today for just £14.99 (plus P&P) and own a lasting tribute to the fallen. We Will Remember Them.
Own yours today, protectively encapsulated and certified as Brilliant Uncirculated quality >>
What makes the 2017 Isle of Man £5 so interesting?
Last year, the coins of the Isle of Man made the headlines. Not only did all their circulation coins have a total redesign, the first in 13 years, they also announced that they would continue to issue ’round pound’ coins rather than opting to use the paper £1 note like both Jersey and Guernsey did.
The coins feature a new effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, created by designer and sculptor Jody Clark, which will also be used on all coins from Crown dependencies and Commonwealth countries. The outer description includes the Queen’s full title, country of issue and year of issue.
New effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The iconic design of the 2017 Isle of Man £5 coin features the Triskelion (three armoured legs) which is arguably the most known symbol of the island and is included in both the coat of arms and the flag of the Isle of Man.
But while this fitting Triskelion design features on the reverse and the new effigy of Her Majesty the Queen features on the obverse, that’s not what makes this coin so interesting…
You may or may not know this about the Isle of Man…
The Isle of Man is in fact the only Crown dependency country that circulates their £5 coins, meaning you could find this coin in your change… and spend it!
But if you’re ever lucky enough to find one in your change I’m sure you won’t want to spend it, as it’s certain to have one of the lowest mintages for any British Isles circulation coin.
A further difference between this coin and the traditional UK commemorative £5 is the size…
Isle of Man £5 compared to UK £5
The IOM £5 coin is just over 6mm smaller in size at 32mm (UK £5s measure 38.61mm) and weighs in at just 11.7g (compared to 28.28g for a UK £5) so is reasonably light to carry around in your pocket or purse.
So tell us… would you spend this £5 coin if you found it on the Isle of Man?
Own the ONLY British Isles circulating £5 coin
The Isle of Man is the only part of the British Isles to use a genuinely circulating £5 Coin. Become one of the few people to own this coin by securing one for your collection today >>