Posts Tagged ‘Coin collection’
Stir Up Sunday – the story behind the numismatic Christmas tradition
There are countless coins thought to be lucky, but there’s one lucky coin in particular which comes to my mind at this time of year…
The much-loved lucky Sixpence has been a part of Christmas traditions for generations and as this weekend marks ‘Stir-up Sunday’, we take a look back at the tradition that harks back to Victorian times.
Christmas tradition
Stir Up Sunday is celebrated five weeks before Christmas Day, when the whole family would gather together to stir the Christmas pudding and make a special wish for the year ahead.
The Christmas pudding itself is said to have been introduced to Britain by Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria and traditionally, when making the pudding, a sixpence would be added to the mix.
This was said to bring wealth and good fortune in the coming year if you found the coin in your portion on Christmas day.
It’s no surprise that collectors love these coins so much. The 1961 Sixpence below can be seen featuring an entwined design of a flora, leek, rose, thistle, and shamrock, the sixpence has long been a token of good luck so is an original and thoughtful gift for a friend or relative.
The Sixpence was first minted during Edward VI’s reign in 1551 and was struck in silver up until 1947. From this date onwards the coin was struck in cupronickel.
But there is one particular Victorian Sixpence that collectors hunt for…
The 1887 Withdrawn Silver Sixpence
In 1887, new coin designs were to be issued for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Surprisingly, the Silver Sixpence shared the same design as the Gold Half Sovereign.
Of course, it didn’t take long for some crafty opportunists to start coating the Silver Sixpence in gold paint after realising they could easily be passed off as the far more valuable Half Sovereign.
The authorities hastily withdrew the Sixpence and a quick redesign took place, with the new 1887 Sixpence reverting to a design similar to previous years, with a crown at the top of the design and a wreath around the sides, with “SIX PENCE” written across the middle of the coin.
1887 Withdrawn Silver Sixpence
Nobody can be sure how rare these coins are, as mintage figures only record how many Sixpences were issued each year, rather than individually listing each design type and, because there were three different designs of the Sixpence in 1887, it’s impossible to know how many withdrawn coins survived.
One thing is certain though, the withdrawn coin is the Sixpence collectors hunt high and low for.
So whether you’re looking to hunt down a rare Sixpence for your collection, or if you’re preparing your Christmas pudding ready for Stir Up Sunday, we wish you the very best of luck this festive season.
Secure a special set of six Sixpences
The Sixpence has long been a token of good luck so is an original and thoughtful gift for a friend or relative.
What’s your favourite £2 coin design of the year 2018?
We’re on the hunt for the best Coin Design of 2018 as part of the 2018 Change Checker Awards and we need your help! With over 50 new coins released this year, we’ve decided to shortlist the coins by denomination and then determine one overall winner from the top 10p, 50p, £2 and £5 coins as voted by Change Checkers!
£2 Coins
Eight brand new £2 coins have been released this year, including a stunning 5 coin RAF series and the first coin in a 3 coin series of £2s commemorating intrepid explorer, Captain Cook.
But which 2018 £2 coin is your favourite?
Cast your vote now using the poll at the bottom of the page and find out more about the different £2 coins from 2018 below!
RAF Badge £2
To mark the centenary of The RAF, The Royal Mint issued a commemorative £2 coin which is the first in the 2018 RAF series of five coins. The reverse features a design by Rhys Morgan of the Badge of the RAF – an eagle in front of a circle inscribed with the official motto ‘ Per Ardua Ad Astra’, which is Latin for ‘Through adversity to the stars’, with the Imperial Crown at the top.
RAF Spitfire £2
Designed by Richard and Neil Talbot, the second coin in the commemorative 2018 £2 coin series marking the centenary of the RAF features one of the most famous aircraft ever built, the Supermarine Spitfire, which first flew in 1936 and went on to contribute heavily to the ultimate victory of WWII.
RAF Vulcan £2
The third coin in the commemorative 2018 £2 coin series marking the centenary of the RAF features a favourite across the Nation’s Air Festivals, the jet powered Vulcan. This impressive aircraft is instantly recognised for its sleek delta wing, as captured in Richard and Neil Talbot’s £2 coin design.
RAF Sea King £2
The fourth £2 coin in the series marking the centenary of the RAF was also designed by Richard and Neil Talbot and features the Sea King helicopter which entered service with the Royal Air Force in 1978, exclusively in a search and rescue role across six UK locations.
RAF Lightning II £2
The final coin in the 2018 RAF series features the newest aircraft to the air force, the F-35 Lightning II. As a fifth-generation aircraft, the superior air capabilities of the Lightning II will make a potent mix with the Typhoon when it enters service in 2018 and has been beautifully captured by Richard and Neil Talbot on this £2 coin.
Captain Cook £2
To mark the 250th anniversary of British explorer Captain James Cook’s Voyage of Discovery, The Royal Mint issued this historic £2 coin. The distinctive reverse was designed by Gary Breeze featuring the Stern of HM Bark Endeavour, Captain Cook’s famous ship, leaving Plymouth as the first in a three coin series that will be arranged together to reveal the full design.
Frankenstein £2
This £2 coin was issued by The Royal Mint to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s famous novel ‘Frankenstein’. The reverse of this gothic coin was designed by Thomas Doherty and features the words ‘Frankenstein’ in an electric gothic font and the edge inscription says ‘A SPARK OF BEING’.
Armistice £2
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI, The Royal mint have issued this 2018 coin which completes the set of commemorative £2 coins released from 2014-2018 to mark the centenary of the First World War. The reverse was designed by Stephen Raw and features the words ‘The truth untold, the pity of war’, from the Wilfred Owen poem Strange Meeting.
With such poignant and stunning designs to choose from, it’s certainly going to be hard work to pick a favourite, but we can’t wait to see which £2 coin will come out on top!
The winning £2 will then be entered into our Coin Design of the Year vote as part of the 2018 Change Checker Awards, alongside the top 10p, 50p and £5 coins from 2018 to determine which coin should be crowned the overall winner!
The voting has now closed and the results can be seen below:
It’s now time for you to vote for your overall winner, shortlisted from Change Checker’s favourite A-Z 10p, 50p, £2 and £5 coin of the year.
View our full range of CERTIFIED BU £2 coins here >>
What’s your favourite 50p coin design of the year 2018?
We’re on the hunt for the best Coin Design of 2018 as part of the 2018 Change Checker Awards and we need your help! With over 50 new coins released this year, we’ve decided to shortlist the coins by denomination and then determine one overall winner from the top 10p, 50p, £2 and £5 coins as voted by Change Checkers!
50p Coins
Seven 50p coins have been released this year, including the third series of Beatrix Potter 50ps and the first ever UK Paddington 50p coins!
So which 2018 50p coin do you think deserves to be named the best of 2018?
Cast your vote now using the poll at the bottom of the page and find out more about the coins that have been released this year below!
Representation of the People Act 50p
In 2018 The Royal Mint released a 50p to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of The Representation of the People Act being passed. The 50p was designed by Stephen Taylor and features five men and women in line to vote, with a woman triumphantly raising a voting card.
Peter Rabbit 50p
The 2018 50p coin is the third UK coin to feature the much-loved children’s character Peter Rabbit. Struck by The Royal Mint, this is the first coin in the third series of Beatrix Potter 50ps which proved to be extremely popular with coin collectors in 2016 and 2017. Designed by Emma Noble, the reverse features Peter Rabbit munching on radishes.
Flopsy Bunny 50p
The 2018 Flopsy Bunny 50p coin has been issued to celebrate one of Beatrix Potter’s most loved children’s tales, ‘The tale of Flopsy Bunny’. This is the first UK coin to feature Flopsy Bunny and has been designed by Emma Noble to feature the adorable character on the reverse of the coin.
Tailor of Gloucester 50p
The 2018 Tailor of Gloucester 50p coin has been issued to celebrate one of Beatrix Potter’s most loved children’s tales, ‘The Tailor of Gloucester’ and is the first UK coin to feature The Tailor of Gloucester. As part of the third series of Beatrix Potter 50ps, Emma Noble designed this coin to feature The Tailor of Gloucester on the reverse.
Mrs Tittlemouse 50p
The 2018 Mrs. Tittlemouse 50p coin has been issued to celebrate one of Beatrix Potter’s most loved children’s tales, ‘The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse’ and is the first UK coin to feature Mrs. Tittlemouse. Designed by Emma Noble for the 2018 Beatrix Potter series, the design features Mrs Tittlemouse on the reverse of the coin.
Paddington at the Station 50p
To celebrate the iconic 60th anniversary of Michael Bond’s novel “A Bear Called Paddington”, The Royal Mint issued potentially the most sought-after 50p ever. Designed by David Knapton and based on the modern adaptation from the CGI-live action movie, this coin features Paddington on his suitcase in front of the station.
Paddington at the Palace 50p
This lovely design by David Knapton is the second coin issued by the Royal Mint in the 2018 Paddington series. These coins represent the first time Paddington has featured on official UK coinage and are definitely highly collectable and this particular design features Paddington waving a Union Flag outside Buckingham Palace.
The Snowman 50p
To celebrate the festive season, this coin has been issued by The Royal to mark the 40th anniversary of the publication of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved festive tale The Snowman™. Designed by Natasha Ratcliffe, the new coin depicts the boy and the snowman flying through the night sky above Brighton Pier.
With so many beautiful coins issued this year it certainly makes picking a winner incredibly tough, but now’s the time for you to cast your vote!
The winning 50p will then be entered into our Coin Design of the Year vote as part of the 2018 Change Checker Awards, alongside the top 10p, £2 and £5 coins from 2018 to determine which coin should be crowned the overall winner!
The voting has now closed and the results can be found below:
It’s now time for you to vote for your overall winner, shortlisted from Change Checker’s favourite A-Z 10p, 50p, £2 and £5 coin of the year.
View our full range of CERTIFIED BU 50p coins here >>
