UK Coin Issues
All Aboard! Celebrate 200 Years of the Modern Railway with the 2025 UK £2 Coin
In 1825, history was made on the tracks between Shildon and Stockton. A daring new invention, steam powered locomotion, changed the world forever. Now, 200 years later, a UK £2 coin has been issued to commemorate that seismic moment.
The 2025 UK 200 Years of the Modern Railway £2 coin is a fitting tribute to the journey that transformed the world of rail travel. You may recognise it from the 2025 Annual Coin Set, but the 200 Years of the Modern Railway £2 is now been available individually.
The engine that sparked a rail revolution
It was 27 September 1825 when George Stephenson, the famed railway engineer, stood at the controls of Locomotion No. 1. With 36 waggons in tow, carrying coal, flour, passengers and dreams of industrial progress, it thundered along 26 miles of track from Shildon to Stockton.
Image Credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
This was the first time steam-powered locomotion had carried passengers on a public railway, and the world would never be the same. In the decades that followed, railways would stretch across nations, shrink distances, fuel economies, and define the modern age.
Marking a milestone
To mark this bicentenary milestone, The Royal Mint issued the 2025 UK 200 Years of the Modern Railway £2 featuring Locomotion No. 1 in full steam. Designed by William Webb, the reverse captures the raw industrial power and promise of the steam engine as it surges forward, surrounded by the bold inscription ‘THE JOURNEY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD’ and the years 1825-2025.
Around the edge of the coin, the engraving reads ‘ACTIVE · LOCOMOTION NO 1’ – a direct reference to the pioneering machine that paved the way for a new era of rail travel.
Following in the tracks
This release follows in the tracks of the Flying Scotsman £2 released in 2023 to mark 200 years of the iconic locomotive. The 2023 Flying Scotsman £2 was also originally issued in the 2023 Annual Coin Set before being individually released later that year.
If you already have the 2023 Flying Scotsman £2, the 200 Year of the Modern Railway £2 is the perfect addition to your collection celebrating Britain’s legendary railway history.
Get on board and secure yours today
Don’t miss your chance to mark 200 years of transformative travel with this stunning UK coin.
Secure your 2025 UK 200 Years of the Modern Railway £2 Coin in Brilliant Uncirculated quality >>
First ever Princess Anne £5 honours a lifetime of service
As The Princess Royal celebrates her 75th birthday in 2025, a UK £5 coin has been issued to mark the milestone.
Issued by The Royal Mint and personally approved by Princess Anne herself, the 2025 UK 75th Birthday of Princess Anne £5 is the first ever UK coin dedicated to Her Royal Highness.
A Royal and numismatic first
This coin marks a numismatic first, as Princess Anne has never before featured on a UK coin, and to make it extra special, The Princess Royal personally approved the design.
The reverse design features Princess Anne’s official Coat of Arms, along with an official photographic portrait by acclaimed royal photographer John Swannell, Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.
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Honouring a lifetime of service
From her earliest days, Princess Anne has remained one of the hardest-working royals, carrying out public duties since the age of 18 and supporting over 300 charities and organisations.
Image Credit: Chatham House, via Wikimedia Commons
Whether it’s representing the UK abroad, or devoting time to causes close to her heart, The Princess Royal has spent decades showing what it truly means to serve.
Passion for equestrianism
Her Royal Highness is perhaps best known for her love horses and her passion for equestrianism. Did you know, Princess Anne became the first member of the British Royal Family to compete in the Olympic Games? She represented Great Britain in eventing at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, however she unfortunately fell from her horse after he hit the 19th fence on the steeplechase course.
Her trusted mount, Doublet – a Thoroughbred cross gelding – helped her to victory at the 1971 European Eventing Championships, where she claimed individual gold. This dedication to the sport not only showcased her skill and determination, but also cemented her status as one of the most respected figures in the equestrian world.
Image Credit: The Gait Post
The 2025 UK 75th Birthday of Princess Anne £5 is a fitting tribute to her legacy and unwavering commitment to the Crown.
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UK Zog 50p celebrates 15 years of the loveable dragon!
A new UK 50p is taking flight, celebrating 15 years of Zog, the loveable, accident-prone dragon. Zog is taking centre stage on a UK 50p coin for the very first time, and trust me – it’s a scorcher!
15 Years of Zog
Since soaring into our lives in 2010, Zog has captured imaginations worldwide. Written by Julia Donaldson, former UK Children’s Laureate, and brought to life with Axel Scheffler’s instantly recognisable illustrations, Zog’s tale of perseverance, friendship, and a few fiery hiccups has become a bedtime classic. With over 4.5 million copies sold globally, the story’s endearing charm has stood the test of time.
Now, to mark 15 magical years since the book was published, Zog is being celebrated on a UK 50p for the very first time!
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Add some fire to your collection
Expertly remastered by Emma Noble, the reverse of this delightful coin features Zog learning to fly in all his clumsy, courageous glory – straight from the pages of the beloved book. And I’m sure you’ll agree that this coin truly brings the story to life.
Presented in bespoke, storybook-inspired packaging, the Zog 50p is more than just a coin – it’s a heart warming tribute to one of the UK’s favourite children’s stories.
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Following in The Gruffalo’s footsteps
If you’ve been following the adventures of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler on UK coins, you’ll know this isn’t their first numismatic appearance. The Zog 50p joins a delightful trio of previous releases:
2019 The Gruffalo 50p
The Gruffalo was the very first Donaldson and Scheffler character to feature on a UK coin back in 2019, and this 50p marked 20 years of the iconic story.
The reverse design, created by Magic Light Pictures, features the Gruffalo smirking mischievously with all his distinctive features.
When it was first released in February 2019, the Gruffalo 50p sparked huge excitement across the UK, inspiring a whole new generation of collectors. It became one of the most sought-after 50ps of recent years, with more than 239,000 Brilliant Uncirculated 50ps sold and all 25,500 Silver Proof Gruffalo 50ps selling out.
2019 The Gruffalo and Mouse 50p
Following the success of the first release, The Royal Mint delighted collectors once again by issuing a second Gruffalo 50p in October 2019. This time, the design featured the Gruffalo alongside the cunning little mouse, capturing a key moment from the story.
Similarly to the first Gruffalo 50p, the Gruffalo and Mouse 50p was incredibly popular with collectors, and just shy of 100,000 Brilliant Uncirculated 50ps were sold!
2024 The Gruffalo’s Child 50p
Five years after the incredibly popular 2019 Gruffalo 50ps, the 2024 UK Gruffalo’s Child 50p was issued to celebrate 20 years since the release of the bestselling Gruffalo sequel – The Gruffalo’s Child.
The design features the Gruffalo’s Child and the cunning mouse, bringing to life a pivotal moment in the story.
With Zog now joining the family, the Gruffalo 50ps are bound to become even more sought-after than before. It’s great to see so many UK coins celebrating some of the most treasured tales in children’s literature!
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