The Insulin 50p – What we know so far…

Did you know that an Insulin 50p is set to be issued this year?

The Royal Proclamation from the 23rd July 2021 confirmed that a 50p will be issued in 2021 featuring a design dedicated to the hormone, Insulin.

Whilst the design remains top secret, the Royal Proclamation reveals the coin’s reverse design will feature a depiction of insulin molecules and the chemical formula for insulin.

Insulin was first discovered in 1921 by Sir Frederick G Banting, Charles H Best, and JJR Macleod at the University of Toronto.

Before this, very few people with type 1 diabetes lived more than a year or two, and it remains the only effective treatment for people with the condition to this day.

In the 100th anniversary year of its discovery, could this new 50p become the very latest issue in The Royal Mint’s Innovation in Science series? It hasn’t been confirmed but we certainly think it would make a great addition!

This series has brought us the 2019 Stephen Hawking 50p and the 2020 Rosalind Franklin 50p – both of which have proved incredibly popular with collectors!

We’re so excited for the design of this brand new coin to be revealed – it’s sure to make a huge breakthrough into the coin collecting world!

To make sure you don’t miss out on adding this brand new coin to your collection as soon as it is released, you can sign up to the Change Checker Subscription Service here >>

Be one of the first to receive the brand new Insulin 50p!

So, don’t miss your chance to get ahead of the crowd and be one of the very first collectors to receive the latest UK new issue coins (including the Insulin 50p) as soon as possible after their release.

The Change Checker New Issue Subscription Service allows you to own the latest coin releases, delivered to your doorstep, without any of the hassle of ordering the coin yourself!

Simply choose the Subscription that best suits you. Find out more here >>

NATIONAL TEAM GB 50p for 50p BALLOT ANNOUNCED!

*** UPDATE – BALLOT NOW CLOSED ***

The 2021 Team GB 50p ballot has now closed, but congratulations to our 650 lucky winners!


Despite the road to Tokyo 2020 not being easy for our Team GB athletes, their performances and dedication to their sports has be nothing short of inspirational.

The 2020 Games, amongst other things, were postponed for only the fourth time in Olympic history, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With this, we also saw the delay of the individual release of the official Team GB 50p, issued to celebrate our incredible athletes in the upcoming sporting event.

2021 Team GB 50p

So, to celebrate Team GB’s incredible success at this year’s Olympic Games and the release of this outstanding new 50p coin, Change Checker is incredibly excited to announce that we’re launching a National UK 50p for 50p Ballot.

Your chance to own the 2021 Team GB 50p for JUST 50p

We’re giving away 10 of these fantastic new coins at face value for every medal won by Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics!

That means 650 lucky collectors will have the chance to own this brand new coin, in Brilliant Uncirculated quality for JUST 50p.

The winners will be contacted via email on the 23rd August with details of how to claim the new 50p coin for just 50p.

Unusual Dual-Date

This coin was initially issued as part of the 2020 Annual Coin Set but with the postponement of the Olympic Games to 2021, this 50p was never individually released in 2020.

This 50p is already proving to be one of the most sought-after coins in recent years, especially after collectors have waited a whole year to get their hands on the individual issue.

Excitingly, this means that there are two versions of the coin – one with the obverse dated 2020 from the 2020 Annual Coin Set and one with the obverse dated 2021 from this year’s individual release.

What’s more, this makes the new 2021 UK Team GB 50p one of only a small handful of UK 50ps to feature a dual-date – only adding to the collectability of the new coin!

You can secure this coin for your collection for JUST £4.50 (+p&p) in Brilliant Uncirculated quality here >>

The coin we’ve all been waiting for… the 2021 UK Team GB 50p

Back in 2020, collectors were delighted by the announcement of the new Team GB 50p, released as part of the Annual Coin Set, to celebrate Team GB’s participation in the upcoming Olympic Games.

However, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the postponement of the Olympic Games to 2021, this 50p was never individually released in 2020.

Collectors have desperately been waiting for the chance to get their hands on this coin and now the big day has arrived, at Change Checker HQ, we are so excited to be sharing the details of this brand new 50p with you!

The brand new coin, designed by David Knaption, features a depiction of various Olympic sports and the official Team GB logo. But, arguably the most exciting feature of this brand new coin, is that it’s dual-dated!

Unlike the version of this coin issued as part of the 2020 Annual Coin Set, this new coin features a 2021 dated obverse, whilst still keeping the original 2020 reverse design!

Excitingly for collectors, this makes the new 2021 UK Team GB 50p one of only a handful of UK coins to feature a dual-date – adding to it’s collectability!

To secure this coin for your collection for JUST £4.50 (+p&p) in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, presented in Official Change Checker packaging, simply click here >>

Dual-Dated Coins

This brand new 2021 UK Team GB 50p is one of only a handful of UK coins to feature a dual-date.

Other dual-dated 50ps include the 2019 dated Kew Gardens, Battle of Hastings and Scouts 50p coins, issued as part of the 50th anniversary of the 50p collections. These 50p coins featured both their original issue dates on the reverse and their re-issued 2019 dates on the obverse!

2019 50th Anniversary of the 50p coins. Top left:
Kew Gardens, Top Right: Scouting Centenary, and Bottom: Battle of Hastings.

Additionally, this 50p, which celebrates the UK’s presidency of the European Council of Ministers and the completion of the Single Market features both a 1992 and 1993 date on its reverse!

1992/93 UK EC Presidency 50p

Undoubtedly, the dual date on this brand new 2021 UK Team GB 50p will add to its collectability, as well as already being one of the biggest numismatic stories of the past year.

And, considering the popularity of previous Olympic 50ps, i’m sure collectors will be quick to snap this coin up for their collections.

Olympic 50p Craze

In 2012, 29 50p coins were released to commemorate the London Olympics and millions rose to the challenge of collecting them all. For many, this marked the start of their interest in coins.

The Royal Mint now estimates that as many as 75% of the Olympic 50p coins have been removed from circulation by collectors, which is a testament to their popularity.

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. It was considered by many to be the 30th Olympic 50p, so could the brand new Team GB 50p be considered the 31st?

Team GB 2016 United Kingdom 50p BU Coin UKU01856.
2016 Team GB 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 was officially endorsed by Team GB and celebrates the spirit of British Olympians.

But, now as the 2021 UK Team GB 50p coin takes centre stage, I’m sure the coin collecting community will be sent into a frenzy once more, with demand for this coin already being high.

Fourth Cancellation in Games Entire History

Since the opening of the modern Olympics in 1896, the international sports competition has only been cancelled three times: once during World War I and twice in World War II.

Olympic Torch at the Olympic Oval at the University of Calgary. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

The COVID-19 outbreak is the only non-militant threat to have disrupted the Olympic Games during peacetime.

This 50p marks not only Team GB’s participation in one of the most renowned sporting events worldwide, but also the impact the past year has had on centuries worth of tradition.

With the significance of this year’s Games playing a key part in the interest for this coin, we’re certain coin collectors and sporting fans alike will be eager to add the 2021 UK Team GB 50p to their collections.


Will you be adding this brand new dual-dated 2021 UK Team GB 50p to your collection? Let us know in the comments below!


Secure your 2021 UK Team GB 50p today!

Own the brand new 2021 UK Team GB 50p Coin in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality for JUST £4.50 (+p&p) and cheer on our incredible athletes as they chase their dreams in Tokyo this summer.

Your coin has been protectively encapsulated in Official Change Checker packaging with that all-important hologram to guarantee its superior quality.

Don’t miss this sought-after 50p! Secure your 2021 UK Team GB Tokyo 50p Coin today by clicking here >>