General info
Pride without prejudice – how Jane Austen came to appear on our coins and banknotes in 2017.
2017 marks 200 years since the death of Jane Austen – one of the best-loved English novelists of all time. And to celebrate such an inspirational female figure, both The Royal Mint and the Bank of England chose to honour her on a brand new coin and banknote.
People power wins
Back in May 2013, a petition to ‘keep a woman on English banknotes’ gained momentum. Over 35,000 people signed the petition after it was announced that Winston Churchill would replace social reformer Elizabeth Fry as the face of the £5 note in 2016. At the time this meant that other than the Queen, there would be no women featuring on English banknotes.
However, people power won as Jane Austen became the new face of the polymer £10 note in 2017, replacing Charles Darwin.
It is thought that Jane Austen was already part of the Bank’s plans for the next new note as in a statement the Bank said it was “never the Bank’s intention” that none of the four characters on banknotes would be a woman.
The Bank of England have featured characters on their banknotes since 1970 to celebrate individuals that have shaped British thought, innovation, leadership, values and society.
Jane Austen is the 17th historical figure to feature on a Bank of England note.
So not only does Jane Austen feature on the new £10 note, The Royal Mint also feature this inspirational author on the new 2017 £2 coin. Designed by Dominique Evans, the new £2 features a silhouette of Jane Austen with the dates 1817-2017.
The £2 coin issued by The Royal Mint has been struck to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Jane Austen, one of the best-loved English novelists.
This £2 for 2017 was struck to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Jane Austen.
This was the first time ever that someone featured on a circulation coin and banknote at the same time – other than the reigning monarch.
A tiny portrait of Jane Austen also appears on four of the new polymer £5 notes as a microscopic engraving produced by Specialist micro-engraver Graham Short. The collector’s items are said to be worth over £20,000 each!
Own the 2017 Jane Austen £2 Coin and £10 Banknote Pack
This is your opportunity to receive one of the very first Polymer £10 notes issued in perfect mint condition alongside the 2017 Jane Austen £2 Coin issued by The Royal Mint.
A work of art – Latvia’s innovative ‘Earth’ Coin
Latvia has issued an innovative new coin. So unique in fact, it is considered a work of art.
Not only is the design beautiful, from a technological point of view, it is hard to fault; mainly because the coin is translucent.
The ‘Earth’ coin has been made from translucent perlucor, a ceramic material that is used in laser, military and medical equipment engineering among other things.
The symbolic ‘jewel-like’ Earth at the centre of the coin is enclosed by a transparent veil that represents the Universe. The planet earth is floating in the middle and the perlucor is enclosed by an outer silver ring which holds everything in place.
Designed by architect M. Kalninš, his original idea of a translucent coin came out as top winner at the Latvian Bank’s competition of innovative euro coins in 2015. Struck by the Lithuanian Mint, the coin is enjoying high demand from the numismatic community for its unique design which is viewed as a work of art.
However, if you want one, they are only available to purchase at the Bank of Latvia Cashier’s Office for 85 Euros. The number of coins available has been limited to a maximum of 5,000 so you ought to be quick.
The New 12-sided £1 Coin: All the facts
It has been confirmed that the new 12-sided £1 coin will enter circulation in less than 12 weeks time.
28th March 2017 is sure to become a historic day as we welcome the new coin which has been billed to become the most secure circulating coin in the world.
This will be the first specification change to our £1 coin in more than 3 decades, since the pound was first introduced in 1983.
What’s new?
Formally named ‘The Nations of the Crown 2017 UK £1‘ the coin was designed by 15-year-old David Pearce following a public competition in 2015. The new design is made up of the English rose, the Welsh leek, the Scottish thistle and the Northern Irish shamrock emerging from one stem within a royal coronet to represent the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom.
Important dates:
28th March 2017: The new 12-sided £1 coin will enter circulation. It may take a little while for people to start seeing it in their change as it gradually filters into general use.
28th March – 15th October 2017: During these six months the co-circulation period will take place. You will be able to use both coins as normal in this time in preparation for demonetisation.
16th October 2017: The Round £1 will cease to be legal tender from this day onwards.
We’re really looking forward to finding them in our change when they’re released in 83 days time. And remember, pound coins with the 2017 date are likely to be more sought after – especially in good condition or uncirculated.
Be one of the FIRST people to own the new £1 Coin.
Today you can own all 13 of the United Kingdom’s 2017 coins including the brand new ‘Nations of the Crown’ 12-sided £1 within the latest annual coin pack.