Coin News
Could there be a Mahatma Gandhi coin coming soon?
*2020 Update*
It has been confirmed that the first figure to be considered in a new series of UK coins that will recognise and celebrate BAME figures on UK currency will be Mahatma Gandhi.
This news comes after Chancellor Rishi Sunak stated he was considering proposals from a campaign group. He has since asked the Royal Mint to come up with new designs honouring BAME figures who have served the nation – such as military figures and nurses.
A ‘Banknotes of Colour’ campaign is currently being led by former Conservative parliamentary candidate, Zehra Zaidi in efforts to see the better representation of non-white peoples on British currency.
Sajid Javid, Chancellor of the Exchequer has “asked the team at the Royal Mint to bring forward proposals for a new, commemorative coin of Gandhi.”
The news was revealed last week at the annual GG2 Leadership Awards event, which fell on the 150th birthday of Gandhi – a very fitting time for the announcement to be made.
Credit: Elliott & Fry , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Gandhi is most well known for leading the successful campaign for India’s independence, using nonviolent resistance which inspired human rights movements across the world.
However, he also has strong ties with London, having attended the University College of London law school in 1888.
Despite leaving for India after being called to the bar in 1891, he continued to return to London, right up until his final visit in 1931 where he attended a conference on the future of India.
If a coin were to be created to honour Gandhi, perhaps it would be issued in 2021 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of this final visit.
Credit: http://rena.wao.com/gandhi/jpg/MG26.jpg, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Chancellor Sajid Javid said that “We must always remember the values he [Gandhi] lived his life by… Gandhi taught us that power doesn’t just come from wealth or high office.”
What do you think the design should be if a new coin were to be issued to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi? Let us know in the comments below!
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The Snowman returns! Second UK 50p to be released…
Last year’s incredibly popular Snowman 50p coin is set to be followed up by a brand new coin for 2019!
According to the Royal Proclamation, published on the 10th October, there will be a new coin to feature:
A figure of the Snowman and the boy from the book The Snowman by Raymond Briggs.
It’s expected the coin will be issued later this year with commemorative collector’s editions available in Brilliant Uncirculated, Silver and Gold being made available.
History of The Snowman coins
The UK’s first Snowman 50p was released in 2018 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Raymond Brigg’s much loved Christmas tale, The Snowman.
As the very first Christmas themed 50p to be released in the UK, this coin took the nation by storm and has become a firm favourite amongst collectors (myself included!).
But the 2018 Snowman 50p wasn’t actually the first coin to feature The Snowman… He’s also featured on a number 50p coins from the Isle of Man – now listed for as much £40 on eBay.
The next 50p collecting craze?
Although all the details have not been released yet and the actual designs are still top secret, it seems likely that the second Snowman 50p coin will be as popular with the British public as Peter Rabbit and friends have proved over the last three years.
Stay up to date with all the latest Snowman news…
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Brexit 50p to enter circulation!
*** UPDATE ***
Over the weekend the design for the brand new Brexit 50p was released!
The final design features the inscription ‘Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations’ and the historic date 31st January 2020 – the date the UK will officially leave the European Union.
It has also been confirmed the coin will be available as special commemorative Gold and Silver Proof editions, as well as in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, which be available from 31st January.
Chancellor Sajid Javid, who is Master of the Mint, was given the first batch of coins over the weekend to present one to Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week.
Excitingly, as part of the launch of the coin, The Royal Mint will open the doors of their South West Headquarters for 24 hours on 31st January to allow collectors to strike their own commemorative Brexit coins!
Sign up for Brexit 50p updates here:
It has been reported that 3 million Brexit 50ps will enter circulation on the day the UK leaves the European Union – currently scheduled for 31st January 2020.
The coins are expected to detail the historic date underneath the inscription ‘Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations’.
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is supposedly set to be one of the first people to get their hands on one on the day of release as he holds a special cabinet meeting at a venue in North England.
We don’t yet know where the 3 million or so 50p coins will enter circulation in the UK – this is likely to depend on demand from banks and cash houses – but we’re certain collectors will be keeping a keen eye out for these 50ps to add this historic coin to their collection!
It was revealed over the Christmas holidays that a new inscription will feature on the Brexit 50p coin to mark the revised date of the UK’s departure from the EU.
This update means that the previously planned inscription of ’31 October 2019’ will be substituted for ‘31 January 2020’.
Find out more about the Brexit 50p below:
Have you heard the news? It hit the headlines this morning that the Brexit 50p will enter circulation after the UK’s departure from the EU.
In October last year, Philip Hammond unveiled his plans for a Brexit 50p to mark the UK’s exit from the EU.
Whilst delays to Brexit meant the original 29th March 2019 dated coins did not go ahead, in August this year Chancellor Sajid Javid asked officials if it would be possible to produce Brexit 50p coins in time for Britain’s departure from the EU on the 31st October 2019.
And today it looks as though we have our answer, as The Treasury has confirmed that the coins have been given the go ahead and will be minted by Brexit day – despite the continued uncertainty of Britain leaving the EU by then.
So this begs the question, if Britain doesn’t leave the EU on the 31st October, could there potentially be millions of Brexit coins with the wrong date? It would certainly make for interesting collecting!
And the best news for collectors is that this coin will be entering circulation, although it is yet to be officially confirmed exactly how many or when we will start to see them in our change.
Rumour has it that 10 million Brexit 50ps could be produced, including Brilliant Uncirculated, Silver and Gold versions. This has not yet been confirmed by The Royal Mint, but has sparked great excitement in the collecting world.
As such a controversial issue, which has created much disruption across the UK and the EU since the referendum in June 2016, it is hoped that this new coin, which is expected to bear the phrase ‘Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations’, will promote positivity surrounding Brexit.
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If you’re interested in coin collecting, our Change Checker web app is completely free to use and allows users to:
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