Coin News
The ‘enchantress of numbers’ celebrated on a UK coin – Ada Lovelace £2
A brand new £2 coin has just been issued, paying tribute to English mathematician and writer, Ada Lovelace. This new UK £2 coin is the 9th coin in The Royal Mint’s Innovation in Science series, which has previously featured coins dedicated to Stephen Hawking, Alan Turing, Edward Jenner and Alexander Graham Bell.
A discoverer of the hidden realities of nature
The Innovation in Science series has mainly comprised of 50p coins, however the 2023 UK Ada Lovelace £2 will be the third £2 in the series. It’s also only the second time a female has been celebrated on an Innovation in Science coin, preceded only by the 2020 Rosalind Franklin 50p.
The reverse design of the Ada Lovelace £2 by Osborne Ross takes inspiration from the original input cards used by Lovelace to programme the Analytical Engine, along with the inscription “a discoverer of the hidden realities of nature”. The quote is a self declared statement taken from a letter that Lovelace wrote to her mother.
Credit: Alfred Edward Chalon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The ‘enchantress of numbers’
Lovelace worked closely with Charles Babbage, who also featured on an Innovation in Science coin, on his Analytical Engine and saw limitless potential in the computer. She studied the technology meticulously and discovered there was much more to computers than just calculating mathematical equations. This lead to her being referred to as the first computer programmer. Charles Babbage himself even gave her the nickname the ‘enchantress of numbers’.
The 2023 Ada Lovelace £2 pays homage to Lovelace’s tenacity and her life as a visionary. The edge inscription of this coin reads ‘INNOVATION IN SCIENCE – LOVELACE’, reinforcing its ties to the other coins in the Innovation in Science series.
Secure yours 2023 UK Ada Lovelace CERTIFIED BU £2
Don’t miss out on adding the latest Innovation in Science coin to your collection. Click here to get yours >>
CONFIRMED – the FIRST EVER UK Star Wars 50p!
On May 4th, the FIRST EVER UK Star Wars™ 50p was announced as part of a brand new UK 50p series! Considering the huge popularity of the Star Wars™ franchise and the fact that these are the FIRST EVER UK Star Wars™ 50ps, they’re sure to be highly sought after.
Everything you need to know about the UK Star Wars™ 50ps…
The UK Star Wars™ 50p series will include 4 brand new UK 50ps celebrating the original Star Wars™ trilogy. The reverse designs will feature depictions of:
- R2-D2™ and C-3PO™
- Darth Vader™ and Emperor Palpatine™
- Luke Skywalker™ and Princess Leia™
- Han Solo™ and Chewbacca™
All of the reverse designs will include the inscription ‘STAR WARS’ and each of the 4 coins will include a unique lenticular feature. Martin Jennings’ UK King Charles III effigy will feature on the obverse.
Which design are you most excited for? Let us know >>
A worldwide phenomenon
Since the release of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope in 1977, the epic franchise has taken the world by storm. The Star Wars™ films, television series and video games all helped to create an all-encompassing fictional universe, amassing one of the largest fan bases in the world.
It’s also one of the highest grossing media franchises of all time.
Sign up for priority updates
Demand for King Charles III Coins reaches across the pond
Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, there’s been a huge shake up in the numismatic world. Not only have collectors been rushing to secure the very last coins featuring Queen Elizabeth II, but wanting to be the first to own new coins bearing King Charles III’s effigy.
But UK collectors aren’t the only ones wanting to collect new King Charles III coins…
A recent survey carried out by The Royal Mint revealed that coin collectors in the United States are interested in collecting new UK commemorative coins. Coin collectors in the US said their attitude to UK coins is changing as a new British monarch takes to the throne.
The figures
- 21% of US coin collectors said they see the start of King Charles III’s reign as an opportunity to begin collecting UK commemorative coins.
- 44% of US coin collectors already purchase UK commemorative coins.
- 54% of US collectors of UK commemorative coins say they plan to increase their UK commemorative coin spend in 2023.
- 76% of US collectors of UK commemorative coins have a positive view of King Charles III. This rose to 81% among a younger audience.
The Head of International Marketing at The Royal Mint, Josh Nesfield, said: “This new research shows growing appetite among US collectors for UK commemorative coins and how the change in UK monarchy is creating new coin interests for US Coin Collector. For years, The Royal Mint has supported US coin collectors as they build their UK commemorative coin collections. We are delighted that more collectors plan to start building their UK coin collections.”
What does this mean for UK collectors?
This encouraging research highlights a continued appetite for UK coins among US numismatists, with it undeniably increasing in line with the new monarchy. The increasing excitement among US collectors means that demand for new UK coins will be at an all time high, especially during the lead up to King Charles III’s coronation.
Considering this, collectors will want to act fast to make sure they don’t miss out on owning these significant issues. Especially as demand is sure to increase in years to come.
Sign up for priority updates
If you haven’t already registered your interest in UK King Charles III Coronation coins, be sure to sign up here to avoid missing out when they become available >>
Guarantee all future King Charles III coins for your collection
Join the Change Checker UK CERTIFIED BU Subscription Service and receive the very latest UK King Charles III coins sent to your door without the hassle of placing orders on the day of release!