UK Coin Issues
The Snowman™ dances onto NEW UK 50p!
It just doesn’t feel like Christmas until the new UK The Snowman™ 50p is released!
You could even say it’s become a festive tradition that each year, the beloved Snowman™ features on a new UK 50p. And luckily for collectors, 2023 is no exception…
In fact, this year’s coin is sure to have collectors dancing for joy. That’s because The Snowman™ has danced his way onto a brand new 50p in a magical scene set against a backdrop of the Northern Lights.
Available now in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality, you can add this frosty friend to your 50p collection in time for Christmas here >>
The Story of The Snowman™ on Coins!
The Snowman™ first appeared on a UK 50p back in 2018 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved festive tale. Since then, we’ve seen a Snowman™ 50p issued each year, making this new coin the 6th release in the series – and the first to feature King Charles III on the obverse.
Over the years, we’ve been treated to some of the most iconic scenes on our coins, taken from the original tale and even the 2012 film, The Snowman™ and The Snowdog™. The Snowman™ and the young boy, James have previously been seen sharing adventures and flying through the night sky, but last year’s 50p was a little different, as the adorable Snowdog™ joined the frosty fellow for the very first time!
Unsurprisingly, the Snowman™ coins prove to be some of the most popular releases each year and now only the 2022 coin is still available at the mint.
But it’s not just UK collectors who are treated to coins featuring the Snowman™…
Over the years, The Snowman has featured on a number of different 50ps from The Isle of Man, some of which are incredibly sought after.
One such coin from 2003 featuring James and The Snowman™ sold for over £250 on the secondary market in 2019 – not a bad return on a 50p coin!
Now collectors have the chance to own the very latest UK release, with James and his snowy friend dancing below the famous Northern Lights – a design sure to melt the heart of any collector this Christmas.
The scene perfectly captures the magic of the heartwarming story, which is read by so many people every year. Just like the tale of The Snowman™, these new 50ps have also become a Christmas tradition, so if you weren’t starting to feel festive already, you should be now!
And if you’re still looking for that perfect numismatic gift this Christmas, or perhaps just a treat for yourself, look no further than the Change Checker Christmas range >>
Own your 2023 UK The Snowman™ 50p in time for Christmas
You can bet this latest coin will be at the top of every collector’s wish list this year, so whether you’re a collector of the Snowman™ 50ps yourself, or you think it’d make the perfect gift for a loved one, you can secure the 2023 UK The Snowman™ 50p for just £4.99 (+p&p) here >>
#AllChange for UK coinage! The FIRST EVER King Charles III Definitive Coins REVEALED!
*** UPDATE – 20th August 2024 ***
Today, it’s been announced that 2.975 million King Charles III Bee £1 coins will enter circulation this week!
The Bee £1 was voted Change Checkers’ favourite design from the New UK Coinage Set which was issued in October 2023, so collectors are sure to be a-buzz with excitement at the thought of finding one in their change.
Let us know in the comments if you manage to find one!
*** UPDATE – November 2023 ***
It’s just been announced that the new Atlantic Salmon 50p will start entering circulation from the end of November 2023! Keep your eyes out for this coin in your change…
It’s #AllChange for UK coinage, as the 1p through to the £2 now have brand new designs to usher in the reign of King Charles III.
Eight new coins have been released – one for each of our circulating denominations – featuring BRAND NEW reverse designs and (for the first time in 70 years) the King on the obverse.
A new era of King Charles III coinage
Although we’ve already seen several commemorative 50p, £2 and £5 coins issued bearing His Majesty’s effigy on the obverse, this will be the first time we’ll see his portrait on the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and £1 – the coins we’ll find in our everyday change.
Our circulating coinage has changed in the past, with different effigies of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse designs and two different reverse designs over the last 70 years. However, this will be the first time that both ‘heads’ and ‘tails’ sides of coins have changed at the same time.
Inspired by wildlife conservation
From the 1p to the £2 coin, we’ve been treated to 8 brand new reverse designs, each featuring iconic British wildlife.
His Majesty is known for his keen interest in wildlife conservation and plant life, having been Patron of The Wildlife Trust since 1977. This passion was a key inspiration for The Royal Mint when designing the UK’s new coinage.
New ‘heads’ and ‘tails’ designs
All of the reverse designs share a common theme – a section showing each coin’s denomination against a background of a stylised logo featuring 3 interlinking Cs, representing King Charles III. We can also see His Majesty’s effigy on the obverse of all 8 coins, the first time he’s appeared on all UK coin denominations.
The new UK 1p coin represents British woodland with a design featuring an adorable dormouse all curled up.
The design on the first King Charles III 2p features an inquisitive red squirrel. Red squirrels are native to the UK, however their numbers have dwindled since the introduction of the grey squirrel in the 1800s, meaning they can be difficult to find in parts of the UK.
Our new 5p coin bears a traditional design of Oak leaves and acorns. The Oak Tree is the national tree of England, and is thought to represent strength and endurance.
The 10p features an image of a capercaillie, a bird from the grouse family that doesn’t appear anywhere else in the UK apart from Scotland.
The animal that features on the new 20p coin is instantly recognisable as a puffin. Often referred to as a ‘sea parrot’, puffins can be found in scattered locations around the coast of Scotland, northern England, South West England and Wales.
Representing British waterways, the new UK 50p features an Atlantic salmon. Dubbed ‘King of the Fish’, Atlantic salmon are usually found in rivers in Wales, Scotland and North and South West England.
Excitingly, this is the first time we’ve seen a different design on the UK £1 coin since the introduction of the 12-sided bi-metalic £1 in 2017. The first King Charles III £1 coin features two bees, a creature synonymous with the British countryside. There are around 25 species of bumblebee and over 240 species of solitary bee in the UK.
Finally, the £2 coin features flowers of the four nations of the UK – a rose for England, a thistle for Scotland, a daffodil for Wales and a shamrock for Northern Ireland. This design may remind you of the round pound designs from 2013 and 2014 which featured the flowers of the nations.
A special addition for collectors
As well as brand new designs on both sides, these coins also feature a special ‘Privy Mark’ on the obverse – an unusual and potentially collectable feature.
To set these coins apart from those you’ll find in your change, they’ll each feature a small crown next to His Majesty’s effigy on the obverse.
All Change for UK Coinage!
Considering this is the biggest change we’ve seen to UK coinage in decades, we’re expecting a huge collecting rush for New UK Coinage for King Charles III.
What’s more, although these will be the new coins to replace our current circulating coinage, it could be years until they are easily found in your change…
So don’t miss out! Avoid the long wait of finding these coins and make sure you’re one of the first to add this exciting set to your collection, including the special collectable privy mark!
Secure the complete collection for just £32.50 + (p&p) here >>
Celebrating a true hero – The UK Mary Seacole £5
For nearly 100 years, the story of an incredible, heroic woman was forgotten, but Mary Seacole is finally receiving the recognition she deserves by being celebrated on a UK coin.
A true likeness
This brand new UK £5 coin has been issued to mark Mary Seacole’s selfless efforts during the Crimean War, where she cared for sick and injured soldiers.
The reverse design by Sandra Deiana is based on a genuine photograph of Seacole. The photograph was taken around 1870 and is now held at Winchester College.
Caring in the crossfire
From the age of 12, Mary Seacole helped her mother, a nurse who specialised in traditional Jamaican medicine. Inspired by her mother and following the death of her husband, Mary focussed on caring for the sick.
Credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Her medical expertise was invaluable during the Crimean War, where, along with Thomas Day, she opened a ‘British Hotel’ near the battlefields. She devoted her time and resources to caring for sick and injured soldiers, even riding on horseback into the battlefields under fire to help men from both sides of the conflict.
The 2023 UK Mary Seacole £5 has been created in collaboration with ‘The Mary Seacole Trust’ to pay tribute to her dedication to helping others.
‘The Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands’
In 1957, Seacole penned a memoir, fittingly named ‘The Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands’ which detailed her humanitarian contributions during her 75 years. It wasn’t until the 1970s that people started to discover her story and realise how much of an impact she made on history.
Seacole was commemorated with a memorial in 2016 which is located in front of St Thomas’ Hospital. The sculpture was designed by none other than Martin Jennings, the creator of the King Charles III effigy that we see on UK coinage.
Credit: Peter O’Connor aka anemoneprojectors, via Wikimedia Commons
Secure your 2023 UK Mary Seacole £5
You can celebrate Mary Seacole’s eventful life by securing the 2023 UK Mary Seacole £5 in Brilliant Uncirculated quality for just £13.99 (+p&p) >>
