Coin News
Wallace and Gromit to feature on a new UK coin!
Everybody knows the moon is made of cheese, but did you know that a brand new Wallace and Gromit coin is coming to the UK soon?
The Royal Proclamation on the 11th October 2019 revealed that the new coin will be a 50p – the UK’s most collected coin!
Stay up to date with all the latest Wallace and Gromit news…
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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:
– Find and identify the coins in their pocket
– Collect and track the coins they have
– Swap their spare coins with other Change Checkers
Sign up today at: www.changechecker.org/app
Know your 50p coin Designers!
How well do you know your 50p coin designers?
With so many beautiful 50p coins out there, it’s important to recognise the highly talented artists behind the designs, and so we’ve put together a handy chart to do just that!
Take a look at the 50p designers below and the wonderful coins they’ve created, then let us know who is your favourite by voting in our poll at the bottom of this blog. *excludes Olympic 50p coins
Vote for your favourite 50p designer!
Join the Definitive 50p Collecting Challenge!
The race is on to collect all 21 definitive 50p coins in circulation by the 14th of October as we count down to the 50th anniversary of the 50p!
Join the challenge for FREE today to receive top collecting tips, exclusive discounts and opportunities to win a Gold Plated Participant’s Medal.
What animal are you in the Chinese Zodiac? Brand new £5 coin released!
The Chinese Zodiac calendar can be tracked back as far as the 14th Century B.C and has fascinated the imaginations of millions of people since.
As part of the eternal twelve-year cycle, an animal and its reputed attributes are assigned to each year.
Credit: cafeastrology
Like so many ancient traditions, the origin stories of the Chinese Zodiac vary. Some say that the Buddha called on animals to help mankind and only 12 responded. Others say a Great Race was held to determine which animal would be placed in the zodiac for eternity.
The Royal Mint are celebrating each animal on the Zodiac calendar with their Lunar Year Shēngxiào Collection £5 series.
2025 UK Lunar Year of the Snake £5
The latest coin in The Royal Mint’s Lunar series has just been issued, celebrating the Year of the Snake!
In Chinese culture, the Snake is a symbol of intelligence and adaptability and is regarded as the wisest of the 12 zodiac animals. Those born in the Year of the Snake are known for their cleverness, determination, and strategic thinking.
Chris Costello’s design on the reverse of this coin seamlessly blends traditional Chinese culture with British artistry, beautifully capturing the intricate details of the Snake’s scales as it slithers across the grass.
The 2025 UK Lunar Year of the Snake £5 would make the perfect gift for anyone born in the Year of the Snake, secure yours for just £13.99 (+p&p) >>
2024 UK Lunar Year of the Dragon £5
The eleventh coin in The Royal Mint’s Lunar series celebrated the Lunar Year of the Dragon!
This £5 coin was the first UK coin to be dated 2024, and was also the first in the Lunar series to feature King Charles III on the obverse!
The Dragon is China’s most important cultural symbol, representing confidence, courage and intelligence – traits that are said to belong to those born in the Year of the Dragon. It’s thought to be the most powerful of the 12 Lunar beasts.
William Webb’s intricate design on the reverse of this coin perfectly depicts the powerful beast.
2023 UK Lunar Year of the Rabbit £5
*No longer available at the Mint*
The tenth coin in the Shēngxiào Collection was issued in 2023 to celebrate the Lunar Year of the Rabbit.
Louie Maryon’s intricate design of this £5 coin shows the animal poised elegantly, capturing its gentle nature. An engraving of the Chinese Zodiac symbol for the Rabbit also features within the design, as well as the date ‘2023’.
In Chinese culture, the Rabbit is a symbol of hope and is the luckiest of the 12 animals. Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be gentle, compassionate, and kind-hearted.
Secure your Lunar Year of the Rabbit £5 >>
2022 UK Lunar Year of the Tiger £5
*No longer available at the Mint*
2022 saw the Lunar Year of the Tiger celebrated on a UK £5 coin.
David Lawrence’s bespoke design of this £5 coin, shows the ‘King of the Beasts’ in Chinese culture, in a stance that emulates all of the animal’s desirable characteristics.
According to tradition, those born in the Year of the Tiger are adventurous, courageous, confident, and brave. To the right, we also see an engraving of the Chinese Zodiac symbol for the Tiger.
Add the Lunar Year of the Tiger £5 to your collection >>
2021 UK Lunar Year of the Ox £5
*No longer available at the Mint*
In 2021, a £5 coin was issued to celebrate the Lunar Year of the Ox!
Harry Brockway’s design of this £5 coin blends traditional Asian culture with British artistry, whilst also echoing characteristics of this formidable beast.
This impressive creature can be seen peacefully immersed in a British-inspired countryside, with the strength and size of its muscles taking centre-stage.
Qualities associated with people born in the Lunar Year of the Ox include being calm, patient, methodical and trustworthy. Lucky numbers for this Lunar Year include 1 and 4 and lucky flowers during this calendar include lily of the valley and lucky bamboo.
Click here to get your Lunar Year of the Ox £5 >>
2020 UK Lunar Year of the Rat £5
*No longer available at the Mint*
Starting in 2014 with the Year of the Horse, The Royal Mint have released a a new £5 coin every year as part of their Shēngxiào Collection.
Until 2020, these coins were only ever available in precious metal, however the 2020 UK Lunar Year of the Rat £5 was the first in the Shēngxiào Collection to be available in Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
A coin collecting first, the 2020 Lunar Year of the Rat Brilliant Uncirculated £5 coin was intricately designed by Royal Mint engraver P.J. Lynch to capture the characteristics of the people born in the Year of the Rat.
The design shows a single rat crouched and sniffing the air, showcasing its agility and inquisitiveness.
Other qualities associated with those people born in the Year of the Rat are intuitiveness and acuteness, while the element for these people is Water. Their lucky numbers could also include 2, 3, 6 and 8 and they should avoid number 4, 5 and 9.
The Chinese Zodiac Calendar – what animal are you?
There are twelve animals in total in the Chinese Zodiac calendar, but do you know what animal you are?
We’ve listed all twelve Zodiac animals below – let us know in the comments below if you think you match with your animal and its given characteristics!
- Rat: quick-witted, smart, charming, and persuasive
- Ox: patient, kind, stubborn, and conservative
- Tiger: authoritative, emotional, courageous, and intense
- Rabbit: popular, compassionate, and sincere
- Dragon: energetic, fearless, warm-hearted, and charismatic
- Snake: charming, gregarious, introverted, generous, and smart
- Horse: energetic, independent, impatient, and enjoy traveling
- Sheep: mild-mannered, shy, kind, and peace-loving
- Monkey: fun, energetic, and active
- Rooster: independent, practical, hard-working, and observant
- Dog: patient, diligent, generous, faithful, and kind
- Pig: loving, tolerant, honest, and appreciative of luxury
Which animal are you in the Chinese Zodiac? Let us know in the comments below!