50p Coins
Sir Isaac Newton 50p becomes EVEN MORE collectible
The Sir Isaac Newton 50p is one of the most popular 50ps in circulation. Shortly after it was issued in 2017, it ranked as the second rarest 50p in circulation after the Kew Gardens 50p, with a mintage figure of just 1.8 million.
Due to its huge popularity, the following year The Royal Mint announced that collectors would be able to strike their own 2018 dated Sir Isaac Newton 50p at The Royal Mint Experience. The 2018 dated coin became one of the rarest 50ps, as the only way to get one was to strike your own.
What makes this 50p so popular?
The coin’s incredibly detailed reverse design by Aaron West is based on elements of Propsition 11, in Book One of Newton’s Principia Mathematica. It also pays tribute to the legacy of Sir Isaac Newton, a genius of the Scientific Revolution and one of the most famous figures to ever hold the role of Master of the Mint.
Change Checkers even voted the 2017 Sir Isaac Newton 50p as their all time favourite Queen Elizabeth II circulating 50p in a poll last year.
An interesting error
As if this coin’s incredible popularity, intricate design and low mintage figure weren’t enough to make it extremely collectible, there’s something else you should look out for...
Several collectors have reported finding an error on their 2017 Sir Isaac Newton 50p. The reverse design looks normal, however the obverse appears to have several extra lines across Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait.
Credit: @The50pC on Twitter
This is thought to be an error caused during the striking process, a result of what is known as a die clash. Interestingly, the extra lines aren’t grooves scratched into the surface of the coin, but rather ‘whiskers’ standing slightly proud of the surface.
How rare is it?
Although we don’t know for sure how many of these error coins are in circulation, they’re thought to be extremely rare. They’ve even been listed on the secondary market for more than 100 times face value!
Always make sure you’re careful buying coins on the secondary market to avoid being overcharged.
Have you ever found an error coin in your change? Or perhaps you have this one? Let us know in the comments below!
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CONFIRMED – the FIRST EVER UK Star Wars 50p!
On May 4th, the FIRST EVER UK Star Wars™ 50p was announced as part of a brand new UK 50p series! Considering the huge popularity of the Star Wars™ franchise and the fact that these are the FIRST EVER UK Star Wars™ 50ps, they’re sure to be highly sought after.
Everything you need to know about the UK Star Wars™ 50ps…
The UK Star Wars™ 50p series will include 4 brand new UK 50ps celebrating the original Star Wars™ trilogy. The reverse designs will feature depictions of:
- R2-D2™ and C-3PO™
- Darth Vader™ and Emperor Palpatine™
- Luke Skywalker™ and Princess Leia™
- Han Solo™ and Chewbacca™
All of the reverse designs will include the inscription ‘STAR WARS’ and each of the 4 coins will include a unique lenticular feature. Martin Jennings’ UK King Charles III effigy will feature on the obverse.
Which design are you most excited for? Let us know >>
A worldwide phenomenon
Since the release of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope in 1977, the epic franchise has taken the world by storm. The Star Wars™ films, television series and video games all helped to create an all-encompassing fictional universe, amassing one of the largest fan bases in the world.
It’s also one of the highest grossing media franchises of all time.
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The Top 5 50p Coin Series and why you should be collecting them
Since the 50p coin was first introduced back in 1969, we’ve seen it change size, weight and obverse monarch. It’s become the go-to denomination for some fantastic series, but which 50p series are the most popular?
Here are Change Checker’s top 5 50p coin series that you need in your collection.
5. Paddington 50ps
Starting with Britain’s best loved bear, Paddington. This 50p series began in 2018 with the issue of two brand new coins entering circulation. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Paddington’s first book appearance, these two coins show Paddington outside Buckingham Palace and at Paddington Station.
The series was so popular that in 2019, a further two Paddington 50ps were issued. This time showing the marmalade loving bear tucking into his favourite snack outside the Tower of London and tipping his hat at St Paul’s Cathedral.
These coins are some of the most popular issues in the last five years and with designs as charming as this, you can understand why.
4. Winnie the Pooh 50ps
Next up, we’ve got another adorable bear, Winnie the Pooh, who first appeared on a UK 50p in 2020. This was the first 50p in a nine coin series celebrating 95 years of fun filled adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood.
These coins feature famous characters from the stories, such as Owl, Kanga & Roo, Piglet and Pooh himself. Despite not entering circulation, these coins have been in high demand, with some limited edition presentations selling out at The Royal Mint within just hours of release. But don’t worry if you missed out, you can browse Change Checker’s remaining Winnie the Pooh stock here >>
3. Innovation in Science Series
Now, cast your mind back to 2019 when The Royal Mint released the first coin their Innovation in Science Series, the Stephen Hawking 50p. It was a record breaking sell out success, with worldwide interest and news articles across the globe about this new coin.
The Stephen Hawking 50p was so popular that even her late majesty Queen Elizabeth II commented that it was one of her favourite coin designs.
It kick started a hugely popular coin series which later brought us the Insulin 50p, Alan Turing 50p, and Rosalind Franklin 50p, to name just a few.
2. Beatrix Potter 50ps
In second place, we’ve got the incredibly popular Beatrix Potter 50ps. The first 50p, issued in 2016, featuring a charming design of Peter Rabbit inspired a whole new generation of collectors, appealing to children, their parents and grandparents.
The 2018 Flopsy Bunny and Peter Rabbit 50ps each had mintage figures of only 1.4 million, making them some of the rarest 50ps in circulation. The Beatrix Potter coins are some of the most collectable 50ps, so whichever ones you have in your collection, you should be very pleased.
1. 2012 Olympic 50ps
In the top spot, the most popular 50p series of all time is the 2012 Olympic 50ps. This series was issued to celebrate the games being hosted in London in 2012. All 29 of the 2012 Olympic 50ps entered circulation, and they’re some of the rarest 50ps out there.
The football 50p, which features a design of the hotly debated offside rule, has a circulating mintage of just 1.125 million. This makes it the second rarest 50p currently in circulation.
Five years ago, it was estimated that over 75% of the Olympic 50p coins were removed from circulation into private collections, meaning even less are now out there to find.
Are you lucky enough to have any of these popular 50ps in your collection? Let us know in the comments!
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Join the Change Checker UK CERTIFIED BU Subscription Service and receive the very latest UK coins sent to you door without the hassle of placing orders on the day of release!