UK Coin Issues
UK 50p celebrates 75 years of the NHS
2023 marks 75 years of our NHS, and to celebrate, a UK 50p has been issued.
This coin may look familiar, and that’s because it featured in the 2023 Annual Coin Set released earlier this year, but now you can finally own it individually!
A closer look
The 2023 UK NHS 50p represents the nation’s appreciation for NHS workers and services, with an original design by Alice Lediard. The reverse design features key words associated with the NHS such as dedication, hope, support and compassion. The words ‘National Health Service 75’ can also be seen highlighted in the centre of the coin.
What’s more, The Royal Mint are donating 100% of the profit made from these coins to NHS Charities Together. Over 230 NHS Charities across the UK provide additional support and resources for both staff and patients.
What better way to say thank you for the last 75 years or service.
The nation’s service
Since it was established in 1948, the National Health Service has played a pivotal role in the lives of the British public. It provides millions of people with vital care and medical services. This was especially apparent in recent years during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
University of Liverpool Faculty of Health & Life Sciences from Liverpool, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Numismatic history of the NHS
This isn’t the first time the NHS has been celebrated on a UK coin…
1998 50th Anniversary of the NHS 50p
In 1998, a UK 50p was released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the NHS.
The reverse design by David Cornell shows a pair of hands cupping rays of light along with the inscription ‘NHS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY’.
2018 A-Z ‘N’ NHS 10p
Almost 20 years later in 2018, the NHS 10p was released as part of the 26 coin A-Z 10p series.
The series celebrated all things British, so it’s no surprise that the NHS was chosen to represent the letter N. The reverse design shows a stethoscope wrapped around the letter N in the shape of a heart.
The A-Z 10ps have become some of the hardest UK circulation coins to find, with a mintage of only 304,000 per letter.
And that brings us to 2023 and the new 75th anniversary of the NHS 50p, which you can own in brilliant uncirculated quality.
Secure your 2023 UK 75 Years of the NHS Certified BU 50p
Your 2023 UK NHS 50p is presented in official Change Checker packaging so it’s safely preserved for generations to come. Secure yours here >>
UK’s FIRST Coronation 50p – JUST RELEASED!
The UK’s FIRST Coronation 50p and £5 coin have JUST been released!
In this blog, I’ll share all you need to know about these new coins, including how they could become the most sought-after issues EVER.
2023 UK Coronation 50p
The most significant royal event of our generation has been celebrated with a UK 50p coin, struck by The Royal Mint to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III.
This is the UK’s FIRST coronation 50p – Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 was marked with a Crown coin.
The design features the royal cypher set against Westminster Abbey, where the King will be crowned.
But, what makes this coin particularly special is a feature you eagle eyed collectors will be sure to spot.
Simply take a look on the obverse of this 50p and you’ll notice it differs from other King Charles III coins…
That’s because The Royal Mint have created a collector version of the coin with an unusual twist – showing a crowned effigy of the King!
Whilst we’ve all grown familiar with seeing a crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth on our coins, traditionally male monarchs do not wear crowns on UK coinage – which is why the standard King Charles coins show him uncrowned.
However, breaking from tradition to commemorate this remarkable royal event, the new King Charles III Coronation 50p shows His Majesty wearing the Tudor Crown.
This special obverse design is only available in collector quality and can’t be found in your change – making for a unique addition to any collection.
What’s more, the first 50,000 will be available in LIMITED EDITION Change Checker Coronation Cards featuring a gold edge to mark the event.
Don’t miss the chance to own yours for just £5.99 (+p&p) here >>
Is the UK’s FIRST Coronation 50p the most sought-after coin EVER?
Collecting firsts are key for driving up demand – just think back to the worldwide popularity of the UK’s first royal 50p, the Platinum Jubilee 50p.
Within the first 24 hours of release, all limited edition presentations of the Platinum Jubilee 50p completely SOLD OUT.
In fact, even the Brilliant Uncirculated quality presentations of the Platinum Jubilee 50p and £5 coins are still selling for £26 on secondary market sites.
AND, the circulating version of the Platinum Jubilee 50p recently sold for £20 on eBay.
So, considering this is the UK’s FIRST coronation 50p, as well as the addition of a unique obverse design, this new coin has all the hallmarks of a classic story.
Coronation celebrated on UK’s flagship royal coin
Alongside the 50p coin, The Royal Mint has also issued a brand new UK £5 – the flagship royal coin.
The reverse design by Timothy Noad features a depiction of St. Edward’s Crown, accompanied by the sovereign’s sceptre with dove and the sovereign’s sceptre with cross with the inscription “THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III 6 MAY 2023”.
The obverse also features the special crowned portrait of His Majesty, created especially for the Coronation Coin Range.
This brand new £5 coin is the perfect pairing to the UK’s first coronation 50p. Get your hands on it in Brilliant Uncirculated quality >>
Don’t miss out on owning the 2023 Coronation coins
Avoid disappointment by adding the 2023 UK Coronation 50p and £5 coins to your collection today.
Don’t forget, the first 50,000 collectors will receive the Brilliant Uncirculated 50p in LIMITED EDITION Change Checker Coronation Cards featuring a gold edge.
Mythical Merlin celebrated on NEW UK coin!
Powerful and eccentric Arthurian wizard, Merlin, features on a brand new UK £5 coin!
As the second £5 coin in the new Myths and Legends series, the 2023 UK Merlin £5 coin bears a design fitting of the mythical wizard…
Click here to order the brand new 2023 UK Merlin CERTFIED BU £5 coin >>
The design
On the reverse of the coin, you’ll see Merlin is poised with a magical staff, ready to wield his power. But, you can also spot Archimedes the owl sitting serenely on the wizard’s shoulder – a character from author T. H. White’s The Sword in the Stone!
Plus, designer David Lawrence has given collectors a peek at mythical island Avalon in the background, while Martin Jennings’ portrait of King Charles III features on the obverse of the coin.
The mythology of Merlin
The origins of Merlin can be traced back to the 12th Century, when British author Geoffrey of Monmouth established the magical mage within his works. Medieval texts saw Merlin not only prophesise and shapeshift, but also create the famous Wiltshire monument, Stonehenge!
Through countless generations, the tales of Merlin have largely revolved around King Arthur. The wizard is said to have contrived Arthur’s birth before guiding the future king to reign over England!
2023 UK King Arthur £5
Plus, King Arthur features in the Myths and Legends UK £5 series too, carrying a sword of Merlin’s creation – Excalibur!
Find out more about the King Arthur £5 coin here >>
2023 UK Merlin CERTIFIED BU £5
The mythical Merlin has been celebrated by joining the Myths and Legends coin series – and we’re excited to see which legend will feature next! Comment below your guesses…
Bring the legend of Merlin to life by owning this £5 now for just £13.99 (+p&p) >>