Coin News
New £1 coin design to enter circulation!
A brand new £1 coin is set to enter circulation, marking the 40th anniversary of it’s introduction!
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that artist Michael Armitage will design the new coin.
It’s believed the coin’s design will celebrate the culture, creativity, and heritage and history of the UK in the 21st century.
Speaking at a Royal College of Art’s (RCA) reception, Mr Sunak said: “I am delighted that Michael will lend his vision to the creation of this new £1 coin design in its 40th anniversary year. This coin will symbolise the rich tapestry of modern Britain and honour our deep heritage and history.”
Michael Armitage was earlier this year elected as a Royal Academician in the category of painting by the Royal Academy of Arts, London – meaning we’re sure to see a fantastic design on this brand new coin!
This will be the the first new £1 design since 2017 and Armitage said it will “combine our 1,100 years of craftsmanship with cutting-edge design to champion modern Britain.”
The 12-sided £1 coin has been in circulation since its introduction in 2016, having replaced the familiar round pound coins. It’s aim was to be the most secure coin yet.
This brand new design will become the standard circulating £1 coin* and will include the current “world-leading” high-security features to protect against counterfeiting, the Treasury said.
We can’t wait to see the design of this brand new coin and to start searching for it in our change! Let us know in the comments below if you’re excited to find this new coin!
*The new coin will enter circulation in 2023, marking the 40th anniversary of the modern £1 coin.
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Prince Charles represents Her Majesty at this year’s Royal Maundy Service
Believed to only be the fifth time during Her Majesty’s reign, Queen Elizabeth II has not attended this year’s Royal Maundy Service.
For the first time, Prince Charles has represented her in this duty at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor in the annual tradition.
The annual Royal Maundy service—where the monarch distributes Maundy money to retired pensioners on the Thursday before Easter—has been a staple in the Queen’s calendar since she ascended to the throne in 1952.
However, in 2020, considered to be for the first time ever, the ancient tradition of the Royal Maundy ceremony was cancelled. Centuries of tradition were overturned as one of the Church of England’s most archaic ceremonies was unable to take place due to the Queen being in isolation at Windsor Castle.
The same happened in 2021, with the Royal Maundy ceremony being cancelled for the second year in a row.
Today, Prince Charles distributed the Maundy money, a £5 coin and a 50p coin portraying the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee for the red purse, and uniquely minted Maundy money to the value of 96p for the white purse. The Prince was accompanied by his wife Camilla at the engagement.
This year, there are 96 men and 96 women—one for each of the years the Queen has been alive (she turns 96 on April 21) who have received this gift. The senior citizens selected will each receive two purses, one red and one white.
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 96th birthday, each white purse will contain 96 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 192 recipients will receive the Maundy coins – 96 men and 96 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.
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120 Years of Mischief – the 2022 Peter Rabbit £5 just issued!
I can remember the very first time I was introduced to Peter Rabbit.
My grandmother, an avid Beatrix Potter fan, read me the tale of this mischievous little bunny rabbit one evening. From that point on, every time I went to stay with her, it would be the bedtime story I requested.
That’s the wonderful thing about The Tale of Peter Rabbit; it’s adored across generations.
From the original books, written in 1902, to the brand new £5 coin issued today, the nation continues to preserve Peter Rabbit’s legacy.
2022 UK Peter Rabbit™ £5
In celebration of 120 years of mischief, The Royal Mint has issued a brand new £5 coin, featuring a design of Peter Rabbit, straight from the storybooks!
Designed by Ffion Gwillim, this brand new coin shows the famous bunny rabbit in the stance that is famously known for being the emblem of Beatrix Potter’s works.
The coin also features the inscription ‘120 YEARS’ and ‘THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT’, in tribute to both Beatrix Potter’s talents and her most cherished character.
The popularity of previous Beatrix Potter releases first caused a collecting frenzy in 2016. Having remained some of the most popular coins amongst collectors ever since, this brand new £5 coin is expected to be incredibly sought-after – especially during this special anniversary year!
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2021 UK Peter Rabbit™ £5
In 2021, Peter Rabbit made his first ever appearance on a UK £5 coin – the flagship issue, regarded as the UK’s most important commemorative coin amongst collectors.
Featuring a reverse design by Ffion Gwillim, the same artist behind this year’s stunning anniversary issue, this £5 coin depicts a charming scene of the whole rabbit family.
The perfect keepsake to treasure forever, this £5 coin proved incredibly popular with collectors!
With 2022 being a very special anniversary year for Peter Rabbit, i’m sure demand will be even higher for this brand new issue.
Do you have fond memories of Peter Rabbit?
Perhaps you were read the stories as a child, or maybe you’re now reading them to your children or grandchildren? Let us know in the comments below!
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