NATIONAL SNOWMAN™ 50p for 50p BALLOT ANNOUNCED!

With JUST 50 days to go until Christmas, Change Checker HQ is feeling particularly merry…


So, to welcome in the festive period and to celebrate the issue of the brand new 2021 UK Snowman™ 50p, we’re excited to announce that a brand new National UK 50p for 50p Ballot has just launched.

Your chance to own the 2021 UK Snowman 50p for just 50p

We’re giving 2,021 lucky collectors the chance of owning the incredibly popular 2021 UK Snowman 50p for its face value – JUST 50p!

This 50p is already proving INCREDIBLY popular with collectors and it’s selling fast…

Previous Snowman 50p coins are extremely sought-after which is why we’re so excited to be giving 2,021 collectors the chance of owning this brand new 50p in Brilliant Uncirculated quality for JUST 50p!

To enter this NATIONAL UK 50p for 50p BALLOT for FREE, simply click here >>

The winners will be contacted via email on the 12th November with details of how to claim your new 50p coin for just 50p.

As you’d expect with such a special 50p, your coin has been struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality and carefully encapsulated in Official Change Checker Packaging with the all-important security hologram, guaranteeing its quality.

Don’t miss this chance to be one of the 2,021 lucky collectors to own the 2021 UK The Snowman™ 50p coin in Brilliant Uncirculated quality for JUST 50p. Enter here for free >>


Never miss a future UK coin issue!

Join the Change Checker UK CERTIFIED BU Subscription Service and receive new UK coins sent to your door without the hassle of placing orders on the day of release!

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£5 coin commemorates the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi

In the year marking the 90th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s final visit to London, The Royal Mint have issued a BRAND NEW £5 coin.

2021 UK Gandhi £5

In celebration of such an important historical figure, this BRAND NEW £5 coin features a reverse design by Heena Glover with a lotus flower at its centre and one of Gandhi’s most famous quotes – ‘My life is my message’.

The name Mahatma Gandhi also features around the outside. Mahatma, meaning ‘great soul’, was the name given to Gandhi by his followers.

Struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated finish and protectively encapsulated in Official Change Checker packaging to certified its superior quality, you can now own the Gandhi £5 for JUST £10.99 (+p&p).

To secure yours today, simply click here >>

An advocate for peace

Mahatma 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.

He is recognised as an exceptional human being who has been a powerful advocate of peace and has inspired generations with his belief in truth and non-violence.

Gandhi in London as a Law Student
Credit: http://rena.wao.com/gandhi/jpg/MG26.jpg, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

With strong ties to London after his attendance at University College of London law school in 1888, Gandhi’s visits to the UK continued for over 50 years. In his final visit to London in 1931, he stood as the sole representative of the Indian National Congress at the Second Round Table Conference on the Indian constitution.

Gandhi Plaque in Bow.
Credit: Spudgun67CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

During this conference, Gandhi discussed constitutional reform in India with British politicians. While in London he stayed at the community centre, Kingsley Hall in Bow, where he is now commemorated with a blue plaque.


It’s great to see such an important historical figure celebrated on our UK coinage. Who else would you like to see commemorated on a coin?


Secure the brand new 2021 UK Gandhi £5 for your collection!

Struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated finish and protectively encapsulated in Official Change Checker packaging to certified its superior quality, you can now own the Gandhi £5 for JUST £10.99 (+p&p).

Secure yours here >>

Just like magic… The Snowman™ returns to UK 50p

For me, Christmas isn’t complete without The Snowman™. Every year, it’s guaranteed to put a smile on my face.

First published in 1978, the book has sold more than 5.5 million copies in 15 different languages! In 1982, the story was also adapted into an animated film by Channel 4.

Whichever version you prefer, it’s fair to say The Snowman™ has earned its title as one of the world’s greatest tales.

One of my favourite scenes from the tale, is when James is building his Snowman and we see him draw on a big smile.

So, this is why the 2021 UK Snowman 50p, is one of my favourite festive coins. This exact scene from the book can be seen on the design of this 50p and if you’re like me, it’s bound to warm your hearts this winter.

The new design by award winning illustrator and animator, Robin Shaw, continues the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved festive tale, The Snowman™.

It would be hard to find someone who doesn’t have fond memories of this magical festive tale, making this 50p the perfect Christmas gift for collectors and Snowman fans alike.

As you’d expect with such a special 50p, your coin has been struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality and carefully encapsulated in Official Change Checker Packaging with the all-important security hologram, guaranteeing its quality.

Whether you’re treating yourself, or a loved one this Christmas, there’s snow way you’ll want to miss this 50p issue. To secure yours for JUST £4.50 (+p&p), simply click here >>


In the rest of this blog, I give you my top tips for building your own snowman and I invite you to discover the history of The Snowman™ on coins.

So, grab yourself a blanket, a cup of cocoa, and cosy up!


2020 UK The Snowman 50p

Issued in 2020 to continue the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of Raymond Briggs’ classic Christmas tale, Robin Shaw’s design of this 50p takes inspiration from the friendship between The Snowman™ and James.

This coin is no longer on sale at The Royal Mint, meaning it’s not as easy to get hold of. Luckily, Change Checker has some remaining stock of this charming 50p. To secure yours whilst stock lasts, click here >>

2019 The Snowman 50p

In 2019The Snowman™ made his second UK 50p appearance, featuring alongside his friend James, set against the snowy mountains they famously fly over in the tale.

At the time of its release, it was the second Christmas 50p to be ever be released in the UK, with previous festive releases being dedicated to the £5 coin!

2018 The Snowman 50p

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Christmas classicNatasha Ratcliffe’s design of this 2018 50p features The Snowman and James ‘walking in the air’

This 50p was so popular that the Silver Proof version completely SOLD OUT on the first day of issue!


Whilst the 2018 release marked the first time that The Snowman™ appeared on a UK coin, it’s not the first time that this frosty friend has appeared on a 50p…

Isle of Man Snowman 50ps

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.

eBay sold listing for the 2003 Isle of Man Snowman 50p

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!

Isle of Man coinage is particularly sought-after by collectors as mintages are significantly lower than in the UK, due to a population of around 85,000.

As these coins are very similar in appearance and specification to UK coins, they can sometimes find their way over here when people return from holidaying on the island.


As winter approaches and the weather gets even colder, it’s got me thinking about building my own snowman…

Source: Francisco AnzolaCC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Here are some helpful tips so you can build the best snowman this year!

  1. The best time to pack snow is when it approaches melting point and becomes moist and compact. This means you can build a big snowball by simply rolling it (which saves a lot of your energy!)
  2. A good time to build a snowman may be the next warm afternoon directly following a snowfall with a sufficient amount of snow. This ensures the snow has had time to approach melting point!
  3. Protect your snowman from the sun damage! Give your snowman the best shot at a long life by situating it someplace flat and shady and face it away from the sun.
  4. Help your snowman find its balance! Aim for a 3-2-1 snowball ratio and remember, the lower to the ground your snowman is, the more stable it will be.
  5. Jim Sysko, an expert snowman builder who worked on the largest snowman in the world, suggests flattening the top of each snowball before placing the next one on top. That way your snowman will have more stability.
  6. Personalise your snowman! Just because the process of building a snowman has remained unchanged for centuries, doesn’t mean you can’t add your own spin on things with decorations! Why not give it a funky cap or repurpose last year’s Christmas jumper?

I’d love to know in the comments if you’ve got any other tips for building a snowman!


The 2021 UK The Snowman™ 50p is definitely my favourite festive 50p of recent years. Which Snowman 50p is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!


Secure the 2021 UK The Snowman 50p today!

Secure yours today for JUST £4.50 (+p&p) by simply clicking here >>

As you’d expect with such a special 50p, your coin has been struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality and carefully encapsulated in Official Change Checker Packaging with the all-important security hologram, guaranteeing its quality.