UK Coin Issues
The ‘Father of Fantasy’ celebrated on a UK coin – J.R.R. Tolkien £2
I guarantee that most of you will have heard of The Lord of the Rings, or The Hobbit, but do you know who created these literary masterpieces?
J.R.R. Tolkien of course – and the legendary author has been honoured on the latest UK £2 coin!
An intricate design
The 2023 UK J.R.R. Tolkien £2 features a bespoke design by artist David Lawrence, featuring Tolkien’s trademark monogram, framed by an intricately detailed runic band. Also inscribed onto the reverse design are the years of his life 1892-1973 and the words ‘Writer, Poet, Scholar’, representative of his intellect and imagination.
The edge inscription of the coin reads ‘NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST’, a quote taken from Tolkien’s poem, ‘The Riddle of Strider’, which actually appears in The Fellowship of the Ring.
The ‘Father of Fantasy’
Often referred to as the ‘Father of Fantasy’, J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic stories inspired a whole new generation of fantasy literature, helping shape the modern fantasy genre as we know it today. He’s perhaps best known for titles such as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, which are considered some of the greatest fantasy books ever written.
Credit: FlickreviewR CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Lord of the Rings books have inspired countless games, tv shows and music, they’ve been translated into 38 different languages, and were of course adapted into 3 blockbuster films, which have a huge cult following.
Other works
Aside from his incredibly popular fantasy novels, Tolkien also published a number of other works, from scholarly essays to translations of Middle English. His literary legacy even continued after his death in 1973, with another cult favourite, The Silmarillion being published in 1977.
Credit: Stojanoski Slave, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Secure the 2023 UK J.R.R. Tolkien CERTIFIED BU £2
So, if you’re a fan of The Lord of the Rings, fantasy films or literature in general or you just appreciate beautifully detailed coins, the 2023 UK J.R.R. Tolkien £2 is definitely one to add to your collection.
To secure this new coin in superior brilliant uncirculated quality, protectively encapsulated in official Change Checker packaging, simply click here >>
Myths and Legends: Morgan le Fay £5 JUST RELEASED!
The third coin in the Myths and Legends £5 series pays tribute to King Arthur’s half sister and legendary enchantress, Morgan le Fay.
Click here to order the brand new 2023 UK Morgan le Fay CERTFIED BU £5 coin >>
The design
The reverse design features a depiction of Morgan le Fay wearing a winged headpiece in an intimidating stance ready to cast her dark powers. David Lawrence, who also designs the other coins in the Myths and Legends series, has perfectly captured her as a force to be reckoned with on this new UK £5.
This is the third and final coin inspired by Arthurian legend in the Myths and Legends series. But what would you like to see on a Myths and Legends £5 next? Let us know in the comments below!
The mythology of Morgan le Fay
In many legends, Morgan le Fay is portrayed as a witch with the ability to fly and shapeshift. However, in alternate versions of Arthurian legend, she plays a pivotal role in helping a wounded King Arthur to the Isle of Avalon where she treats his injuries.
Credit: Frederick Sandys, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Whilst she is sometimes portrayed as a benevolent healer, Morgan le Fay is commonly cast as a villain who seeks to harm King Arthur and anyone associated with him in literature of the 19th and 20th centuries.
2023 UK Merlin £5
The second £5 in the series featured mythical wizard Merlin poised with his magical staff, ready to wield his power. If you look closely, you’ll also see Archimedes the owl – a character from author T. H. White’s The Sword in the Stone – sitting serenely on the wizard’s shoulder.
Designer David Lawrence gave collectors a peek at the mythical island Avalon in the background, while Martin Jennings’ portrait of King Charles III featured on the obverse of the coin.
Find out more about the Merlin £5 coin here >>
2023 UK King Arthur £5
King Arthur featured on the first £5 in the Myths and Legends UK series. The legendary British King was depicted carrying a sword of Merlin’s creation – Excalibur!
Find out more about the King Arthur £5 coin here >>
I’m sure you’ll agree each of these dynamic coins has been a brilliant addition to the Myths and Legends series. Will you be adding Morgan Le Fay to your collection?
2023 UK Morgan le Fay CERTIFIED BU £5
Secure the brand new 2023 UK Morgan le Fay £5 in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality, protectively encapsulated in official Change Checker packaging. Click here to order yours >>
Official UK Star Wars™ 50ps RELEASED!
For the first time, iconic characters from the original Star Wars™ trilogy feature on official UK coins in a four-coin collection celebrating 40 years since the release of Return of the Jedi™.
Han Solo™ and Chewbacca™ 50p
The fourth and final character duo coin in the UK Star Wars™ 50p series is here! It features Rebel Alliance hero, Han Solo™ and his trusty co-pilot and lovable Wookiee, Chewbacca™.
The two friends take centre stage on this brand new 50p coin. Stood side-by-side, the dynamic duo are seen in front of the ship Han Solo™ captains – the Millennium Falcon.
Special design feature
Like the past three coins in the series, the out-of-this-world Han Solo™ and Chewbacca™ 50p includes a special lenticular feature, which changes between the insignia of the Rebel Alliance and the Millennium Falcon.
Rarely seen on 50p coins, this special minting technique adds to the collectability of these already popular coins.
As two of the most popular Star Wars™ characters, and two of the galaxy’s closest of friends, it’s only fitting this pair deserve a place on a UK 50p coin together!
Bespoke packaging
What’s more, each coin in the UK Star Wars™ 50p series comes housed in new, bespoke packaging, which fits perfectly into your Change Checker Album.
Luke Skywalker™ & Princess Leia™ 50p
The third coin in the UK Star Wars™ 50p series has finally been released, and features none other than the galaxy’s most iconic brother-sister duo… Luke Skywalker™ and Princess Leia™
That’s right, the third coin in the UK Star Wars™ 50p series features the much-loved Jedi, Luke Skywalker™ and Rebel Alliance leader, Princess Leia™.
Special design feature
As we’ve come to expect with these extraordinary coins, a special lenticular feature appears above the iconic duo. On the Luke Skywalker™ and Princess Leia™ 50p coin, this unique feature shows the Winged Jedi Crest when tilted one way, and the Rebel Alliance Starbird when tilted the other way.
We rarely see this minting technology on UK 50p coins, which is bound to add to the collectability of these already popular coins.
Luke Skywalker™ can be seen holding his lightsabre in the foreground, whilst Princess Leia™ is seen stood to his right. Twins Luke and Leia are two of the Star Wars series’ most famed characters, so it’s no surprise they’re on a coin together!
Darth Vader™ & Emperor Palpatine™ 50p
The eagerly awaited second coin in the UK Star Wars™ 50p series has finally been released, and this one takes us over to the Dark Side…
That’s right, the latest coin in the UK Star Wars™ series features the deadly duo of Darth Vader™ and Emperor Palpatine™. A far cry from the loveable R2-D2™ and C-3PO™ who featured on the very first UK Star Wars™ coin.
This brand new UK 50p features enemies of the Rebel Alliance, Darth Vader™ and Emperor Palpatine™, as well as a special lenticular feature. On the Darth Vader™ and Emperor Palpatine™ 50p, this unique feature shows the symbol of the Galactic Empire when tilted one way, and the Death Star when tilted the other way.
We rarely see this minting technology on UK 50p coins, which is bound to add to the collectability of these already popular coins.
Darth Vader™ can be seen wielding his lightsaber in the foreground, whilst a cloaked Emperor Palpatine™ lurks in the background. In terms of villains in the Star Wars™ franchise, no duo is more memorable than Vader™ and Palpatine™, so it’s only fitting that they represent the Dark Side on this coin.
R2-D2™ & C-3PO™ 50p
The collection began with a design featuring R2-D2™ and C-3PO™, which appeared on the first official UK coin dedicated to the iconic movie franchise.
This lovable duo can be seen inside the famed Millennium Falcon, but eagle-eyed collectors will notice a special feature appearing on this new 50p…
The special lenticular feature on the R2-D2™ and C-3PO™ 50p changes between Tatooine and the Rebel Alliance Starbird when tilted in different ways.
Discover a new galaxy of coins
Created in partnership with the Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm, a total of four coins will be released in the Star Wars™ 50p series.
The remaining coin in the series will feature Han Solo™ & Chewbacca™, and can be pre-ordered now.
What’s more, each coin in the UK Star Wars™ 50p series comes housed in new, bespoke packaging, which fits perfectly into your Change Checker Album.
Find out how you can add these coins to your collection here >>
Huge demand expected
Many collectors will want to add these 50ps to their collection simply because they’re new UK releases.
But as they’re also the FIRST official UK coins celebrating Star Wars™ which is such a huge worldwide phenomenon, we’re expecting an additional surge in demand from enthusiasts all over the world!
And, as the Star Wars™ movie franchise has such strong ties right here in Britain, UK collectors will want to act fast to secure these coins.
Will you be adding the new Star Wars™ 50ps to your collection? Let us know in the comments below!
Own the complete UK Star Wars™ 50p collection!
Don’t miss the chance to own the complete UK Star Wars™ Character Duo 50p set for just £19.99 (+postage) >>