First-Ever UK Dinosaur 50p Series Released!
A brand new United Kingdom 50p series has been announced and the news is so colossal it’s sure to shake the coin collecting community!
The new series celebrates the Discovery of Dinosaurs with three brand new 50p coins.
British anatomist Richard Owen proposed the term ‘Dinosauria’ in 1842 and this comprised the first three dinosaurs to be discovered – the Megalosaurus, Iguanodon, and Hylaeosaurus.
Excitingly, this is the FIRST-TIME ever Dinosaurs have featured on UK coinage so we’re very excited by this numismatic first!
What’s more, this new series of 50p coins has been issued in partnership with the Natural History Museum so the coins are sure to be popular with palaeontologists and collectors alike!
So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at the designs of these coins…
Hylaeosaurus 50p
The final coin in the incredibly popular Dinosauria 50p series has JUST been released and features the Hylaeosaurus.
It is estimated this dinosaur was around five metres long, however limited remains have been found of this particular species…
Designer, Robert Nicholls wanted to pay homage to the life-sized Crystal Palace Park Hylaeosaurus sculpture and we think he’s done an amazing job with this truly unique coin design.
This is the final coin in this series and has been officially released today!
So, if you don’t want to miss out on completing the series, then you can secure this brand new 50p to your collection here.
This 50p is available in Gold Proof, Silver Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated Quality.
Iguanodon 50p
The second coin in the incredibly popular Dinosauria 50p series features the Iguanodon.
Distinctively, the Iguanodon had large spikes on their thumbs which you can see clearly in the intricate details of the coin design.
It is thought these spikes could have been used for defence against predators. As Iguanodons were large herbivores, it is unlikely these would have been used for hunting.
This 50p is available in Gold Proof, Silver Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated Quality. You can secure this coin to your collection here.
Megalosaurus 50p
The first coin in the series was released in February and features the Megalosaurus Rex.
‘Megalosaurus’ translates to mean ‘Great Lizard’ and I think it definitely lives up to its name!
Living on earth around 166 million years ago, this great dinosaur could reach up to nine meters in length!
As the first coin in the Dinosaur series, this 50p is available in Gold Proof, Silver Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated Quality.
So there we have it! A good look at the brand new United Kingdom 50p series celebrating the Discovery of Dinosaurs.
As this is the first time Dinosaurs have ever featured on UK coinage, the coins have been issued in partnership with the Natural History Museum, AND they are brand new UK 50ps (the most collected coin in the country!) we’re certain this series is going to be immensely popular with collectors.
Do you have a favourite coin from the series? Let us know in the comments below!
2020 UK Hylaeosaurus CERTIFIED BU 50p
Do you want to add this exciting new 50p to your collection? Click here to secure yours today in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality!
You can now own the FINAL 50p coin in the Dinosauria series.
To secure this coin for your collection, click here.
Surely ‘Change Checker’ suggests the activity of checking one’s change. A different name or website would be more appropriate for collector coins. So, my suggestion is this. Change Checker emails/blogs are used only for coins entering UK circulation; Change Checker Territories for IoM etc; Westminster Collection for anything never to be circulated. This will be neither costly nor time consuming to implement.
It isn’t the fault of 288 Group that coins do not enter circulation. However, instead of Royal Mint supplying tremendous numbers of annual definitive 50p coins, they should release these designs. The demand is there for new coins by POs etc, but they needn’t always be supplied with definitives. Not only would this be fun for old and new collectors, it will showcase the artistry of these excellent designers to more of the public.
Hi Tony,
We too share in the frustration that not all UK coins are able to enter circulation and, as you say, with our name being ‘Change Checker’ it really is a shame when these coins are unable to be found in our change.
However, we also appreciate that many Change Checkers still want the chance to own the latest UK coins, even if they are only issued in collector quality, and therefore it is our duty to create blogs such as this with information about the latest coins.
To try to help collectors, we have set up the Change Checker Face Value Coin Ballot where collectors can be in with the chance of owning new issue UK 50ps and £2s for just face value. To find out more please read our blog: https://www.changechecker.org/2019/05/01/your-chance-to-own-the-latest-uk-new-issue-50p-and-2-coins-for-face-value/
Thanks,
Alex
Hi. Your generic stock answer is unnecessary under each comment, and is only slightly relevant to mine. I was of course defending 288 Group here, but for clarity, my suggestions on how to separate releases from non-releases would be helpful.
Hi Tony,
Thanks for your suggestion! We like to share coin news with collectors as soon as it’s available, even if certain coins aren’t entering circulation because a large number of Change Checkers are still interested and want the opportunity to find out more about them. This is why we email all of our Change Checkers the latest news, because there are many that are interested in non-circulating coins too 🙂
Thanks,
Alex
Totally agree. Most years millions of 50ps are minted and released to circulation. The banks and post offices don’t care whether they are commemoratives or definitive coins so I don’t see any reason why all coins designed by the Royal Mint cannot be issued for circulation. Sure, some of the commemoratives may be removed from circulation by collectors but not enough to have a significant impact. I also have an issue with the annual set which is now no longer indicative of the coins released each year – it should be reduced to only the definitive coins and not include any commemoratives.
Hi Clive,
We understand your frustrations and as we’re called Change Checker we also think it’s a shame that we aren’t seeing more commemorative coins entering circulation. However, each year The Royal Mint releases their Annual Set which offers collectors and enthusiasts an opportunity to secure a number of the year’s best commemorative coins. As you say, it is a shame that not all of these coins enter circulation, however for many collectors looking to secure the complete set this is a very exciting release as they can get ahead of the crowd.
We did see last year’s Sherlock Holmes 50p enter circulation, which was from the 2019 Annual Coin Set, so fingers crossed we see another coin from this year’s set follow suit! 🙂
Thanks,
Alex
The reason you have the coins in the change cheaker list,is because you sale them ,you are no better than the royal mint,and dont try and palm it of any other way.
Hi Kenneth, we know that it is frustrating for collectors when coins don’t go into circulation. This is due to a lack of demand from post offices and banks to the Treasury. Change Checker does run a 50p and £2 ballot for people to have the chance of owning future UK 50p and £2 coins for just face value. Simply sign up to the Face Value Ballot and each time there’s a new 50p released in 2020, we’ll select 1,000 people to add the latest coin to their collection for face value, in superior brilliant uncirculated quality! 500 people will be selected for every 2020 £2 release.
You can find it here: https://www.changechecker.org/2019/05/01/your-chance-to-own-the-latest-uk-new-issue-50p-and-2-coins-for-face-value/
Thanks,
Alex
I been in your ballots for ages am sure I was picked once on FB but never told how to get coin. Seems a big swizz to me.
Hi there,
Our ballot is done my email notification. If you are one of the 1000 lucky winners of our 50p coin ballot, you will be sent an email saying congratulations, with a link to buy your coin at face value.
Thanks,
Alex
I agree with the comments made about circulating coins, but these are money making coins. As a serious collector I am about to give up, The Royal Mint have gone mad over the past few years with issuing UK 50p’s followed by Isle Of Man, Gibraltar, Guernsey and the Falkland Islands. Pobjoy mint who are also responsible for some of the latter have also issued 50’s for British Antarctic and Indian Territories and South Sandwich….. Phew! and not forgetting Jersey and St Helena who do not issue vast amounts of specials. This is akin to gambling, you get hooked, time to stop, it is getting ridiculous and very expensive, especially if you collect £2 pounds as well.
Hi Richard,
We know that it is frustrating for collectors when coins don’t go into circulation. This is due to a lack of demand from post offices and banks to the Treasury. Change Checker does run a 50p and £2 ballot for people to have the chance of owning future UK 50p and £2 coins for just face value. Simply sign up to the Face Value Ballot and each time there’s a new 50p released in 2020, we’ll select 1,000 people to add the latest coin to their collection for face value, in superior brilliant uncirculated quality! 500 people will be selected for every 2020 £2 release.
You can find it here: https://www.changechecker.org/2019/05/01/your-chance-to-own-the-latest-uk-new-issue-50p-and-2-coins-for-face-value/
Thanks,
Alex
Pre 97 coins and all the old LSD coins before we change to decimal were coins and as such are/ were
Coins with a history, and most of the new decimal are very good coins unlike the new THINGS that I think the mint are running off just for profit .
You might want to think about doing a list of the coins that were NOT minted for circulation.
Hi Les,
Thanks for comment and your suggestion, it’s great to know what sort of content Change Checkers would like to see so we will definitely consider this!
Thanks,
Alex
Great designs and a shame they aren’t entering circulation. Please could you make it clear what will be in circulation in your news – it seems that a lot of readers would appreciate this and it’s getting confusing with all the designs of 50p-shaped coins
Hi Mike,
We usually do include circulating/non-circulating information in our blogs, so apologies for it not being included in this one. This is an oversight on our part and we will get this updated.
Thanks,
Alex
In my opinion the word coin should not be used if it does not go into general circulation, even the word token suggests it can be used in exchange for a commodity which in this case it is not. These items are the commodity and as such should be labelled as display articles not as coinage.
Stunning designs, great artist, but what a shame will never be seen in circulation. Yet another disappointment for us change checkers.
All non circulating 50p should be removed from the Change Checker listing… if not available in ones change, why list them?
The non circulating coins are available to add to your collection on the Change Checker web app to keep track of which coins you have. This is the same with the £5 and pre 1997 coins as well, as these are also not in circulation.
Many of the pre-1997 went into circulation at some time, until 2008 the £5 coin was put into circulation. Since then there are more issues not circulated than put into the system. They are not coins, they are shiny pieces of metal created by the RM to boost their coffers, pure greed on their part. grossly overpriced shinning disc designed to milk the public
Hi Ron,
We know that it is frustrating for collectors when coins don’t go into circulation. This is due to a lack of demand from post offices and banks to the Treasury. Change Checker does run a 50p and £2 ballot for people to have the chance of owning future UK 50p and £2 coins for just face value. Simply sign up to the Face Value Ballot and each time there’s a new 50p released in 2020, we’ll select 1,000 people to add the latest coin to their collection for face value, in superior brilliant uncirculated quality! 500 people will be selected for every 2020 £2 release.
You can find it here: https://www.changechecker.org/2019/05/01/your-chance-to-own-the-latest-uk-new-issue-50p-and-2-coins-for-face-value/
Thanks,
Alex
I agree with everyone else would have been cool to look out for in circulation, just another pointless design in order to make more money off the public!
The coins look nice but if they are not for circulation then they are extinct already. 🙁
If not being circulated then I hope you don’t have it on change checker list as it won’t be in charge will it. Don’t understand why you have coins that are never in or has been in your change on such an app.
Hi, we allow Change Checkers to add the non circulating 50p and £2 coins to their collection to keep track of which coins they have. This is the same for the £5 and pre 1997 coins as well, which are also not in circulation. We share the view that it would be great to be able to find these coins in our change.
I have only been collecting coins for a few years and I’ve realy enjoyed collecting all the olympic and beatrix potter coins through bank runs checking your change and swapping on change checker. Young children had become interested in coin collecting but will soon become tired of it as the same old coins will be in there change as some of the great child orientated coins ie , snowman ,Wallace and Gromit, gruffalo are available by purchase only.
Hi Andrew,
We too share collector’s frustrations with a lack of coins going into circulation. With a lack of demand from Post Offices and Banks to the Treasury, we struggle to see new coins entering circulation. Here at Change Checker we run a Face Value Ballot for people to be in with the chance of owning new issue UK 50p and £2 coins for just face value. For more information on how you can enter, please follow this link: https://www.changechecker.org/2019/05/01/your-chance-to-own-the-latest-uk-new-issue-50p-and-2-coins-for-face-value/
Thanks 🙂
Alex
Another pointless token not for circulation…
do we know if these new coins will going into circulation? please
Unfortunately they have been issued in collector’s quality only. It would have been great to see them in our change though.
R these going into circulation
Unfortunately not, they are collector’s coins only. It would have been really nice to find them in our change though.
My favourite by far is the Megalosaurus. I hope they continue with this series in the coming years to complete a full dinosaur collection.
More dinosaur coins would be amazing!
There’s a BU coin and a BU pack coin but they look the same going by most of the images on the Westminster site.
Wondering if you’d know:
Is the pack basically the cardboard mount with a picture on it?
Does the non-pack version include a blue rectangular mount instead?
Hi Ian, the BU coin is in Change Checker packaging (blue cards) whereas the BU pack is the official Royal Mint packaging.