50p Coins
Spectacular Star Wars™ Spacecraft 50ps flying into your collection!
Get ready to embark on an epic journey through the galaxy with the Star Wars™ Spacecraft 50p series!
This 4-coin series features some of the most iconic spacecraft from the Star Wars™ universe.
Death Star II 50p
The fourth and final coin in the Star Wars™ Spacecraft series features the fearsome Death Star II!
The Death Star is undoubtedly one of the most iconic structures in the Star Wars universe, but unfortunately it didn’t survive the Battle of Yavin. That’s where Darth Sidious came in, insisting that it was reconstructed – and the Death Star II was born.
The reverse design of the Death Star II 50p features the unfinished battle station looming in space, along with the official Star Wars logo.
And here’s the best part, above the Death Star II on the reverse is a special lenticular feature which shows both the Galactic Empire insignia and the distinct outline of the Death Star II when tilted.
Did you know? The Death Star II, codenamed Second Sun, was made from Quadanium steel and was much larger than its predecessor, measuring 200km in diameter!
Secure the 2024 Death Star II 50p for your collection here >>
X-Wing 50p
The third coin in the Star Wars™ Spacecraft series features the versatile X-Wing!
The X-Wing was the Rebel Alliance’s primary dogfighter, and was known for its versatility and exceptional combat performance. As one of the spacecraft that’s become synonymous with the Star Wars™ franchise, it’s no surprise that it features in this series.
The reverse design of this new 50p shows the adaptable X-Wing flying through space, with open S-foils in attack position. If you look closely you can even see 4 laser cannons, one at the end of each wing tip, and the torpedo launchers underneath the main body of the vehicle.
The X-Wing 50p also includes a unique lenticular feature, which shows two different designs when the coin is tilted, the Rebel Alliance Starbird and a silhouette of an X-Wing.
Did you know? The X-Wing was intended to become the backbone of the Imperial Navy’s fleet, however political forces led the Galactic Empire to adopt the more affordable TIE Fighter instead.
Secure the 2024 X-Wing 50p for your collection here >>
TIE Fighter 50p
The second coin in the series represents the dark side, featuring the menacing TIE Fighter! The reverse design shows a TIE Fighter soaring through space, no doubt its engines would be emitting its trademark howl, known to strike fear into the hearts of enemies.
And here’s where it gets even more exciting…this 50p also includes a dynamic lenticular feature! Tilt the coin one way, and you’ll see the emblem of the Galactic Empire, tilt it the other way, and behold the terrifying TIE Fighter!
Did you know? The distinctive sound of the TIE fighter in flight was created by combining and elephant call with a car driving on wet pavement.
Secure the 2024 TIE Fighter 50p for your collection here >>
Millennium Falcon 50p
The Millennium Falcon 50p features a design by Lucasfilm of the ship soaring through space, along with the Star Wars logo.
And here’s the coolest part – this coin also includes a special lenticular feature! Tilt the coin one way, and you’ll see the Millennium Falcon, tilt it the other way and you’ll catch a glimpse of the Rebel Alliance Starbird!
Piloted by dynamic duo Han Solo and Chewbacca, the Millennium Falcon is perhaps the most recognisable ship in the entire Star Wars franchise. She was the star of countless legendary moments, such as making the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs, successfully navigating an asteroid field against 3720 to 1 odds and narrowly escaping the jaws of a giant space worm – to name just a few!
Did you know? George Lucas changed the original Millennium Falcon model at the last minute. He was inspired by a half eaten burger placed next to an olive on a toothpick and changed the shape of the ship to how we know it today.
Secure the 2024 UK Millennium Falcon 50p for your collection for just £5.99 (+p&p) >>
Previous Star Wars™ Character Duos 50ps
Cast your mind back to the previous Star Wars Character Duos 50p series which caused a real buzz in the coin collecting community.
We saw beloved character duos such as C-3PO and R2-D2, Darth Vader and Emperor Palatine, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia and of course Han Solo and Chewbacca feature on these coins. It was the most popular 50p coin series we’ve had in recent years…and the Star Wars™ Spacecraft series is set to be even bigger and better!
Complete your Star Wars™ 50p Collection
Secure your 2024 UK Death Star II 50p for just £5.99 (+p&p) >>
Order the Millennium Falcon 50p >>
Order the TIE Fighter 50p >>
Order the X-Wing 50p >>
The 50p that’s guaranteed to float your boat – The RNLI 50p!
The 2024 UK RNLI 50p has just dropped anchor and is ready to swim straight into your collection!
I know a lot of you will be wanting to get your hands on this one, because we asked you to vote for your favourite design from the Annual Set, and the RNLI 50p won with a huge 50% of the votes!
So if you just cant wait, click here to secure your 2024 UK RNLI 50p for just £5.99 >>
Or, keep reading to find out a bit more…
History of the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, better known as the RNLI, was founded by Sir William Hillary in 1824, and 2024 marks its 200th anniversary. From being the first organization to use steam-driven lifeboats in 1890, to providing crucial maritime support during the first and second world wars, to opening their training college in 2004 – the RNLI have been making history and saving lives at sea for 2 whole centuries.
Credit: Chris Downer, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Each year, coins marking key anniversaries and historical figures are chosen to feature in the Annual Set – and this year was no exception with coins celebrating the National Gallery, Sir Winston Churchill, the Paris Olympics and of course, the RNLI.
A ‘mast’erpiece designs
The reverse design incorporates key symbols of the RNLI, with the flag in the centre, surrounded by a life ring and rope. Inscribed on the life ring are the years of the charity 1824-2024 as well as ‘200 years’, marking that incredible milestone.
Did you know…
The iconic RNLI flag wasn’t introduced until 1908. The first version designed by Leonara Preston in 1884 who used the St George’s cross as the basis for the flag, adding the RNLI lettering, the Tudor Crown worn by King George VI and a foul anchor in the centre.
Credit: Sodacan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Credit: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The design was updated in 1953 to represent the change of monarch to Queen Elizabeth II when the Tudor Crown was swapped for the St Edwards Crown. It’s this version of the flag that’s been proudly flown at all lifeboat stations since, but I wonder if they’ll change the design again for King Charles III?
Let us know what you think in the comments!
Supporting a great cause
As well as a design paying tribute to 200 years of the institution that has saved over 144,000 lives, The Royal Mint are donating 5% of every RNLI 50p sold to the charity*, allowing them to continue their great work.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen proceeds from a UK coin go to a worthy cause. Just last year, The Royal Mint donated 100% of the profits from the 2023 NHS 50p to NHS Charities Together, an organization that provides incredible support to NHS staff, patients and communities.
The 2023 UK NHS 50p commemorated 75 years of the National Health Service, and it’s estimated that the total donation figure reached £225,000 – an incredible way to celebrate three-quarters of a century of the great British organization.
So do you agree with 50% of collectors – is the RNLI 50p your favourite coin from the 2024 Annual Set? Perhaps you have a personal story involving the RNLI that you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments!
Secure your 2024 UK RNLI 50p
Secure yours 2024 UK RNLI 50p for just £5.99 >>
*The Royal Mint Limited will contribute 5% of the price excluding VAT in support of the RNLI. Payments are made to RNLI (Sales) Ltd (which pays all its taxable profits to the RNLI, a charity registered in England and Wales (209603),Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F) and the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney.
Which 50p Coin Series are worth collecting?
Do you collect 50p coins? Perhaps you keep hold of commemorative 50ps you find in your change, or maybe you’ve built up a collection of brilliant uncirculated coins…
Whether you’re new to the hobby or you’re a seasoned collector, you might not know that some of your coins are part of a series – but which 50p series are worth collecting?
Olympic 50ps
Let’s kick off with perhaps the best known 50p coin series – the Olympic 50ps!
Back in 2011, to mark the 2012 Olympics being held in London, The Royal Mint issued 29 new 50p coins, each representing a different sport. With 29 new commemorative coin designs to look out for in circulation, the Olympic 50ps sparked many people’s interest in collecting coins.
Even now, 13 years on, 2011 holds the record for the most commemorative coin designs to enter circulation (30 designs in total including the WWF 50p released the same year).
It’s estimated that 75% of Olympic 50ps have been removed from circulation by collectors, but by checking your change and swapping with other collectors, it’s still possible to collect the complete set.
Find out more about the Olympic 50ps >>
Paddington 50ps
Another coin series that inspired many younger collectors is the Paddington 50p series. With 2 coins released in 2018 and a further 2 in 2019, this collection of 4 coins shows the beloved bear in front of some of London’s most iconic landmarks.
The first 2 coins were issued to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Paddington’s first appearance in Michael Bond’s classic childhood tale, with the first showing Paddington sat at his namesake train station.
He continued his adventures around London, visiting Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral.
The 2018 Paddington at the Station 50p has the lowest mintage figure of the series, with only 5,001,000 in circulation, however it still ranks as common on our Scarcity Index.
Have you ever found any Paddington 50ps in your change? Let us know in the comments!
Are you missing any Paddington 50ps? Check out our Paddington range >>
Beatrix Potter 50ps
Thirteen Beatrix Potter 50ps were issued between 2016 and 2018, each featuring beloved characters from Potter’s enchanting tales. All of these coins entered circulation, however a further 2 Peter Rabbit 50ps were issued in 2019 and 2020 which did not enter circulation.
These coins caused a collecting frenzy in back in 2016 due to their unique theme, and were probably the most talked-about coins since the 2011 Olympic 50ps!
A lot of the Beatrix Potter 50ps will have been snapped up into collections by now, but it is still possible to find them in circulation – although you might be searching a while for the whole set!
Based solely on circulating mintage figures, the rarest Beatrix Potter 50ps are the Flopsy Bunny 50p and the 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p, each with a mintage figure of just 1,400,000.
The most common coin in the series is the Benjamin Bunny 50p, which has a circulating mintage of 25,000,000. Aside from the 1973 European Economic Community 50p which had a mintage of 89,775,000, the Benjamin Bunny 50p has the highest commemorative 50p mintage figure, so you’ve probably come across one in your change at some point!
If you’re struggling to complete your collection, check out our Beatrix Potter range >>
Winnie the Pooh 50ps
In 2020, The Royal Mint announced a 9-coin 50p collection celebrating Winnie the Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood.
The designs were produced by The Walt Disney Company, featuring original illustrations from A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh storybooks by E.H. Shepard.
The very first coin in the series, featuring Pooh sat beside an overturned pot of honey, was the first time that Winnie the Pooh had ever featured on a UK coin. It was so popular in fact, that all 18,000 silver proof 50p coins sold out in less than 12 hours! The excitement for this series didn’t stop there though, as the silver proof 2022 Eeyore 50p also sold out within just hours of issue at The Royal Mint.
Although the Winnie the Pooh 50ps didn’t enter circulation, they are still incredibly popular with collectors. Some people have even paid well over retail price for them on eBay to complete their collections.
If you have any gaps in your Winnie the Pooh 50p collection, check out which ones we still have available >>
The Snowman™ 50ps
The Snowman™ first appeared on a UK 50p back in 2018 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved festive tale. Since then, there has been a new UK The Snowman™ 50p issued each year, and there are now 6 in the series.
Over the years, we’ve been treated to some of the most iconic scenes on our coins, taken from the original tale and even the 2012 film – The Snowman™ and The Snowdog™.
The Snowman™ has been seen sharing adventures with his friend, James, flying through the night sky, dancing under the northern lights and even cuddling up with The Snowdog™!
It’s become somewhat of a festive tradition for a new UK The Snowman™ 50p to be issued each year, and it just doesn’t feel like Christmas until it’s released.
Fill the gaps in your The Snowman™ 50p collection >>
Do you think there will be more The Snowman™ 50ps issued in years to come? Let us know below!
Which 50p series is your favourite?
Do you have any of these coins in your collection? Perhaps you’re lucky enough to have a complete set! We’d love to hear from you which 50p series is your favourite, so let us know in the comments below.
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
