Posts by Rachel
Winning “50p” design released as Official Medal in support of Cavell Nurses’ Trust
Over the last few weeks and months, our nation has been inspired time and again by the incredible Key Workers who are on the front line, helping us through this challenging time.
In fact, people all across the UK are showing their support for our heroes during the weekly clap and with the beautiful rainbow pictures adorning our windows. And Change Checkers have also been making a special effort to give their thanks.
We asked Change Checkers to pay tribute to the UK’s Key Worker heroes by creating a coin design in recognition of their tireless work.
The top designs were selected from each category to be transformed into a virtual 50p and we were absolutely blown away by the entries!
But the best news is, we are incredibly excited to announce that one of the winning designs has been specially selected to be adapted into a special Rainbow of Hope Thank You Medal!
New Specially Issued Medal
The Rainbow of Hope Thank You Medal has been specially issued in support of Cavell Nurses’ Trust with all Ex-VAT sales going directly to support the work of the Trust at this critical time.
Reverse designer Sean Simon said, “I’m honoured and humbled to be a part of something of this scale, which will be beneficial to such a great cause. I work as an SEN school teacher and have many members of my family who work across the NHS and other key areas. As a school teacher I found this to be a great opportunity to show my appreciation to all the key workers across the UK who are working so hard during such difficult times. A rainbow was a must for the design as there are many children who may not understand the situation but are making the most of being inside. My children have thoroughly enjoyed making their own rainbows and looking for other rainbows during our daily walk.”
Say “Thank You” to our Key Worker Heroes
You can now say “Thank You” to all our health workers and carers along with all other Key Workers, with the Rainbow of Hope Thank You Medal and at the same time you’ll be supporting the vital work of Cavell Nurses’ Trust helping nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants suffering personal or financial hardship.
From simple, essential support like money to repair a broken cooker or boiler, to vital life-changing aid like helping a family flee their home due to domestic abuse, Cavell Nurses’ Trust is here to help. Never has their work been more important than during the current Coronavirus crisis.
All Proceeds Going To Charity
What’s more, The Westminster Collection will be donating 100% of the ex-VAT proceeds for every Rainbow of Hope Thank You Medal sold to Cavell Nurses’ Trust to support nursing and midwifery professionals in their time of need.
Our Nation’s Key Workers are risking their lives to help keep us safe – let’s do all we can to show our support and give something back!
Support the UK’s Key Worker Heroes when you order the Rainbow of Hope Thank You Medal
The Rainbow of Hope Thank You Medal is your chance to say thank you to our key worker heroes, with all proceeds going directly to support the work of the Cavell Nurses’ Trust at this critical time.
So please click here to order yours today – whether it’s to keep or give to a special key worker.
Centuries of tradition overturned.. Royal Maundy Ceremony CANCELLED
**2021 Update**
Maundy Money ceremony cancelled for second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic!
In 2020, perhaps for the first time ever, the ancient tradition of the Royal Maundy ceremony was cancelled.
Centuries of tradition have been overturned as one of the Church of England’s most archaic ceremonies is unable to take place due to the Queen being in isolation at Windsor Castle.
No-one knows for sure when, or if, Royal Maundy has been cancelled before. Even during wartime, King George VI and the Archbishop of Canterbury were able to uphold the tradition.
However, the unprecedented circumstances the world is facing right now means there is simply no other option than to break tradition…
Today’s ceremony was due to take place in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle with a choral accompaniment.
Now, rather than handing out the Maundy money consignments individually, the Queen has written personally to the 188 recipients saying, “The traditional Maundy money, which had been blessed in the Chapel Royal, was enclosed”, and the ceremonial red and white leather purses containing Maundy money have been delivered remotely by Royal Mail, for the first time since the tradition began.
So where does this tradition come from and what is the history behind Maundy money?
The History of Royal Maundy
Maundy Thursday is a key day during the Easter week which commemorates Jesus Christ’s last supper on the day before his crucifixion.
The Royal Maundy Church service takes place each year on this day, and is inspired by the generosity shown by Jesus in washing the feet of his disciples shortly before his death.
Its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when English monarchs would wash the feet of beggars and offer gifts of food and clothing in imitation of Jesus.
However it was King John who was the first to give to the poor on Maundy Thursday and by the early 14th century, it had become customary for the sovereign to provide a meal, together with gifts of food and clothing.
Sharing the Wealth
For numismatists, the day has added significance in the form of Maundy money which is given out by the reigning monarch each year at the service.
The tradition of giving out money began with Charles II, with the first set of Maundy coins consisting of a four penny, three penny, two penny and a penny. The coins have remained in much the same form since then, and are traditionally struck in sterling silver.
At the Royal Maundy ceremony, the reigning monarch hands each recipient two small leather string purses – one white, one red. The red purse contains ordinary coinage as money (in lieu of the food and clothing which was offered years ago) and the white contains silver Maundy coins.
The Maundy coins total the age of the King or Queen in pence, so this year, as the Queen approaches her 94th birthday, each white purse will contain 94 pence.
Recognition of Service
Nowadays it is not the poor who are the recipients of this gift, but specially chosen members of the public in recognition of the service they have given to the Church and local community.
The number of men and women receiving Maundy Money also equals the age of the sovereign during the year, and since the reign of George I, the recipients have been an equal number of men and women. For example, this year 188 recipients will receive the Maundy coins – 94 men and 94 women.
The tradition and heritage behind Maundy money makes them among the most sought-after coins in British numismatic history. Their owners are part of an exclusive club which dates back centuries, and they still exemplify the generosity and selfless work of the Church during this week – the most important in the Christian calendar.
Sadly, this year, tradition has been broken and the Royal Maundy ceremony will not take place. Whilst the overturning of this ancient ceremony reflects the difficult and truly unprecedented times we are currently facing, it does not detract from the hard work and dedication of the well-deserving receivers of the Maundy money this year.
Her Majesty’s personalised letters to each receipiant demonstrate that even in the toughest of times, its important to honour those who give to our community.
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
Bearilliant news – Rupert Bear 50p coins released on the Isle of Man!
Change Checkers on the Isle of Man are in for a real treat as, for the first time ever, Rupert Bear & co are featuring on new 50p coins – and we think they’re just bearilliant!
Rupert Bear was created in 1920 by Mary Tourtel as a cartoon for the Daily Express newspaper and his adventures continue up to this day, celebrating his 100th anniversary in 2020.
I’m sure many collectors out there will have fond memories of growing up with Rupert Bear and will be just as excited as we are by the release of these new 50p coins.
The world’s first Rupert Bear 50p coin
To celebrate this exciting centenary anniversary, the Isle of Man have issued the first ever Rupert Bear 50p coin.
The coin is available in Brilliant Uncirculated quality and stunning .925 Sterling Silver, finished to a proof standard and featuring a full colour illustration of the famous bear, exactly as he appears in the classic comic strip series.
But for those collectors looking to secure something extra special, an incredibly limited amount of just 250 coins struck from 22 Carat Gold to a Proof finish are also available.
The obverse of each coin features a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen designed by engraver Jody Clark and you’ll notice that this looks different to the obverse of our UK change due to the inclusion of the Queen’s shoulders within the portrait.
Coin collectors and fans of the British bear alike will be delighted with this coin, but the fun doesn’t stop there as Rupert has also been joined by his friends on a special set of five 50p coins…
Complete Rupert Bear & co Collection
Each of the reverse designs feature some of the best-loved characters from the comic strip – including Rupert Bear, Podgy Pig, Bill Badger, Edward Trunk and Algy Pug.
And the best news is that this set is available in both superior Brilliant Uncirculated and stunning Silver Proof quality featuring full colour illustrations of these fantastic characters.
These sets are the only way you can own all five coins in superior quality, and that’s because none of the designs (aside from the Rupert Bear 50p) will be available to purchase individually.
Isle of Man Change Checkers are in for a treat!
Excitingly for those lucky Change Checkers on the Isle of Man, these 50p coins are legal tender on the island and an initial release of 25,000 of each design will be issued into circulation!
However, as collectors know, British Isles 50p coins like this rarely turn up in your change in the UK, making these 50ps some of the most sought-after circulating coins around.
What’s more, previous Isle of Man 50p coins have proved popular with collectors time and again, often selling for well over face value on the secondary market.
Some of the most popular Isle of Man circulation coins feature The Snowman and can be found selling for hundreds of pounds of eBay.
We’re sure that British Isles collectors will be quick to snap up the new Rupert Bear 50p coins, so keep your eyes out for them if you’re lucky enough to be on the Isle of Man.
LIMITED EDITION
The 50p has firmly established itself as the collector’s favourite and Silver Proof 50ps are known for their rapid sell-out history, making them some of the most sought-after issues around.
Not only this, the Isle of Man is renowned for their low edition limits due to the small population of just 84,000 inhabitants on the island.
Therefore it comes as no surprise that these coins are so very limited…
Just 4,950 of the Rupert Bear Silver Proof 50p coins and just 2,495 of the Rupert Bear Silver Proof Complete 50p Sets are available to collectors worldwide – a significantly low amount given the immense popularity of Rupert Bear for multiple generations.
SELL-OUT EXPECTED
Comparing Rupert Bear to the incredible Royal Mint sell-out success of the UK Gruffalo Silver Proof 50p which had an edition limit of 25,000 (more than five times the edition limit of Rupert Bear), you’ll understand just how sought-after these coins are going to be.
And of course, who could forget the phenomenal Peter Pan 50p coins released by the Isle of Man last year?
These magical coins had the collecting world spellbound, with collectors queueing on the Westminster Collection’s site for the chance to purchase the new coins.
And so the message for anyone interested in securing the brand new Rupert Bear 50ps is to act quickly, particularly when it comes to those Silver Proof coins, as a sell-out is expected.
We think these coins are a fantastic tribute to Rupert Bear’s 100th anniversary and are simply adorable! But what do you think about this new release? Let us know in the comments below!
Secure the world’s first Rupert Bear 50p!
Click here to add the Rupert Bear 50p coin to your British Isles collection from just £6.25 (+p&p).