Posts by Kate
The Gruffalo returns to UK coins
With the recent release of the 2024 The Gruffalo’s Child 50p, let’s take a closer look at why the previous Gruffalo 50ps were so popular!
Some of the most popular coins are often those that not only have captivating designs, but those that tell a story, and the 2019 Gruffalo® 50p and the 2019 Gruffalo and Mouse 50p coins are prime examples. These coins gained immense popularity among collectors, and it’s not hard to see why...
The story behind the coins
The Gruffalo, a beloved children’s book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, first hit the shelves in 1999 and has since sold a whopping 13.5 million copies! The story has enchanted both children and adults, with its whimsical tale of a clever mouse who outsmarts a host of woodland creatures, including the fearsome Gruffalo.
The Gruffalo has also become somewhat of a festive favourite, as it was adapted into a short film for BBC One in December 2009 by production company Magic Light Pictures.
2019 Gruffalo 50p
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this iconic story, The Royal Mint released two commemorative 50ps in 2019, the first featuring the Gruffalo himself.
The reverse design, created by Magic Light Pictures, features the Gruffalo smirking mischievously with all his distinctive features.
When it was first released in February 2019, the Gruffalo 50p sparked huge excitement across the UK, inspiring a whole new generation of collectors.
It became one of the most sought-after 50ps of recent years, with more than 239,000 Brilliant Uncirculated 50ps sold and all 25,500 Silver Proof Gruffalo 50ps selling out.
2019 Gruffalo and Mouse 50p
Following the success of the first release, The Royal Mint delighted collectors once again by issuing a second Gruffalo 50p in October 2019. This time, the design featured the Gruffalo alongside the cunning little mouse, capturing a key moment from the story.
The intricate detailing highlights the contrast between the imposing Gruffalo and the small but brave mouse.
Collectors had been eagerly awaiting the release of this coin since The Royal Mint teased a second Gruffalo coin a few months earlier. There was speculation about what might feature on the second coin, from the charming fox to the sly snake, but the clever little mouse was a welcome addition to the design.
Similarly to the first Gruffalo 50p, the Gruffalo and Mouse 50p was incredibly popular with collectors, and just shy of 100,000 Brilliant Uncirculated 50ps were sold!
2024 The Gruffalo’s Child 50p
The brand new 2024 UK Gruffalo’s Child 50p celebrates 20 years since the release of the bestselling Gruffalo sequel, The Gruffalo’s Child. The design features the Gruffalo’s Child and the cunning mouse, bringing to life a pivotal moment in the story.
Secure your 2024 The Gruffalo’s Child 50p for just £4.99 (+p&p) >>
UK 50p issued to wish Team GB and ParalympicsGB luck in the 2024 Paris Olympics!
As excitement for the upcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games builds, The Royal Mint have issued a new UK 50p to celebrate Team GB and ParalympicsGB. The 2024 UK Team GB & ParalympicsGB 50p not only commemorates our athletes’ dedication and achievements, but also represents the unity and pride of the United Kingdom as the teams prepare to complete on the world stage.
Return to Paris
The Olympic Games will return to Paris in 2024, exactly 100 years since the city last hosted the games. The Paralympics will also be held in Paris for the first time this year, making the games the biggest sporting event ever held in France.
Credit: Agence Rol, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Did you know? The Ancient Olympic Games have been dated as far back as 776 BC, however the first modern international Summer Olympics were held in Athens in 1896, where 14 nations competed in 9 sports.
A tribute to excellence
You may recognise this coin as it actually featured in the 2024 Annual Coin set at the beginning of the year, however its now been individually issued.
In the centre of the design are two geometric athletes in action – one representing Team GB, the other representing ParalympicsGB – set against the iconic Union Jack. If you look closely, you’ll even see the Eiffel Tower at the bottom of the design, a nod to the hosting city.
This powerful imagery highlights Team GB and ParalympicsGB’s strength and resilience, along with the nation’s unwavering support.
A history of Olympic coins
The 2024 UK Team GB & ParalympicsGB 50p isn’t the first UK coin to be issued celebrating the Olympics, but it is the first UK sporting 50p to feature King Charles III on the obverse.
2011 Olympic 50ps
Perhaps the most well-known commemorative 50p series was issued in 2011 when 29 new coins were released, each representing a different Olympic sport.
The Olympic 50p series created a frenzy, and not just among collectors…millions rose to the challenge of collecting all 29, and for many, this marked the start of their interest in coins. So popular were these 50ps, that The Royal Mint estimates as many as 75% of them have been removed from circulation by collectors!
2016 Team GB 50p
To the delight of many Olympic 50p collectors, The Royal Mint issued a special 50p in 2016 to wish Team GB success for the Rio Olympic Games.
The coin’s obverse features a swimmer with the Team GB logo, the Olympic rings and the inscription ‘TEAM GB’. Designed by Tim Sharp, the coin was officially endorsed by Team GB and celebrated the spirit of British Olympians.
Dual-Dated Team GB 50p
Back in 2020, a new Team GB 50p was released as part of the 2020 Annual Coin Set to celebrate Team GB’s participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the postponement of the Olympic Games to 2021, this 50p was never individually released in 2020…
Excitingly, this meant that there were two versions of the coin – one with the obverse dated 2020 from the 2020 Annual Coin Set and one with the obverse dated 2021 from the coin’s individual release, making it one of only a small handful of UK 50ps to feature a dual-date.
Secure the 2024 UK Team GB & ParalympicsGB 50p
Click here to add the 2024 Team GB & ParalympicsGB 50p to your collection for just £5.99 (+p&p) >>
The Limited Edition Gibraltar King Charles III Definitive Coins
Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, the very first King Charles III effigy was introduced onto Gibraltar’s commemorative coinage. However, the following year, the first circulating Gibraltar currency collection featuring His Majesty’s was issued, celebrating his coronation.
The 2023 Limited Edition Gibraltar Currency Coin Collection was the first full currency set available to feature the Raphael Maklouf King Charles III effigy on the obverse, including all denominations from 1p-£5, but it also included the last ever single metal round pound to be issued.
A closer look
In honour of the new Carolean era, the 2023 Limited Edition Gibraltar Currency Coin Collection includes all definitive coin denominations, each featuring different elements, imagery and items related to King Charles III and his coronation.
One Penny
The 1p coin features the King’s royal cypher within a floral wreath.
Two Pence
The 2p coin features a depiction of Windsor Castle within a floral wreath.
Five Pence
The reverse design on the 5p coin shows an illustration of The Sovereign’s Orb.
Ten Pence
On the reverse design on the 10p coin is a depiction of The Sovereign’s Sceptre.
Twenty Pence
The 20p features the a depiction of the Tudor Crown along with the inscription ‘LONG TO REIGN OVER US • GOD SAVE THE KING’.
Fifty Pence
The intricate design on the 50p features the door to Westminster Abbey and the inscription ‘THE CORONATION OF HIS MAJESTY KING CHARLES III • 05.05.2023’.
One Pound
The £1 coin in this collection was the last ever single metal, round pound coin to be issued, as Gibraltar’s 2024 annual issue featured the new 12-sided, bi-metal £1 coin specification. This meant that Gibraltar was the first British Overseas Territory to circulate the 12-sided £1. The reverse design on this round £1 coin features the Coronation Chair and the inscription, ‘LONG TO REIGN OVER US • GOD SAVE THE KING’.
Two Pounds
The £2 coin features the Gibraltar Crest in the centre, with an inscription around the edge reading ‘HIS MAJESTY KING CHARLES III • GOD SAVE THE KING’.
Five Pounds
The £5 coin features the Gibraltar Coat of Arms.
Own a piece of the collection
The 2023 Limited Edition Gibraltar Currency Coin Collection is strictly limited to 2,000 sets worldwide, meaning that some collectors are sure to be disappointed when demand inevitably outweighs supply.
For those not able to secure the whole collection, you still have the chance to own the 2023 Gibraltar Coronation 50p and the Last Gibraltar Round Pound.
Add the 2023 Gibraltar Coronation 50p to your collection >>
Secure the Last Gibraltar Round Pound >>