Posts Tagged ‘Coin’
Celebrating World Book Day on Britain’s Best Loved Coins
World Book Day is recognised across the globe as an opportunity to celebrate great books and authors. But more excitingly for Change Checkers, it’s an opportunity to take a look at which of these great books and authors have been commemorated on UK coins!
In recent years, we’ve seen some classic British books and authors celebrated on UK coinage, including George Orwell, Mary Poppins, Harry Potter, J.R.R. Tolkien and even Julia Donaldson’s much-loved Gruffalo. Take a look below to find out more about these literary coins.
Mary Poppins 50p
Everyone’s favourite magical nanny has been celebrated on the 2025 Mary Poppins 50p! Featuring original illustrations from the cover of the first Mary Poppins book, this coin is sure to capture the hearts and imaginations of collectors old and new.
Did you know? The original Mary Poppins illustrations were created by Mary Shepard – daughter of Winnie the Pooh illustrator E.H. Shepard!
Add the 2025 Mary Poppins 50p to your collection >>
George Orwell £2
75 years after his passing, English novelist, poet, journalist and social critic, George Orwell was celebrated on a UK £2 coin in 2025.
Orwell is perhaps best known for his dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, which was the inspiration for Henry Gray’s design on this coin. Created in collaboration with the Orwell Foundation, the reverse design features an illustration of an eye in reference to the all-seeing Big Brother and in the centre of the eye is a camera lens surrounded by the iconic tagline “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU”.
Secure the 2025 George Orwell £2 >>
Harry Potter 50ps
In 2022, Harry Potter featured on a UK coin for the first time ever, kicking off a series of 4 UK 50ps celebrating 25 years since the publication of Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone.
The series continued with the Hogwarts Express 50p, the Professor Dumbledore 50p and the Hogwarts School 50p. The designs were taken directly from Jim Kay’s 2015 illustrated editions of the Harry Potter books and were the first UK 50ps to include a lenticular feature. When tilted, the lenticular section shows both the number ’25’ and Harry’s trademark lightening bolt.
In 2024, we were treated to two new Harry Potter 50ps celebrating iconic adventures from the series. The 2024 The Winged Keys 50p featured the thrilling race for the magic key from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, whilst the 2024 The Black Lake 50p paid tribute to the Black Lake scene from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Secure the 2024 Harry Potter 50p Pair and save 16% compared to buying them individually >>
J.R.R. Tolkien £2
Often referred to as the ‘Father of Fantasy’, J.R.R. Tolkien is perhaps best known for his titles such as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, which are considered some of the greatest fantasy books ever written.
In 2023, Tolkien was celebrated on a UK £2, featuring a beautifully detailed design by artist David Lawrence.
On the reverse of the coin, you’ll see Tolkien’s trademark monogram, framed by an intricately detailed runic band. Also inscribed are the years of his life 1892-1973 and the words ‘Writer, Poet, Scholar’, representative of his intellect and imagination.
Add the 2023 J.R.R Tolkien £2 to your collection >>
Beatrix Potter 50p Series
Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit has sold some 150 million copies since its release in 1903. The much-loved children’s character was initially featured on a 50p coin in 2016.
First issued as a series of five coins featuring Peter Rabbit and his friends, the 50ps designs by Emma Noble, were taken straight from the illustrations of the original books. These 50p coins started an unprecedented collecting phenomenon and have been so hugely popular the series was continued throughout 2017 and 2018 with the release of a further eight 50p coins.
To the delight of collectors, two stand-alone Peter Rabbit 50ps were issued in 2019 and 2020, however these coins didn’t enter circulation.
Shakespeare £2 Set
In the 400 years since his death, William Shakespeare has become widely regarded as the greatest writer in British history and the world best dramatist. In 2016 The Royal Mint struck three official £2 coins in honour of the playwright – a first for the UK.
Each coin celebrates a genre of Shakespeare’s famous work, tragedies, comedies and histories, all designed by John Bergdahl.
Jane Austen £2
It might come as a surprise to some collectors that it was only after Austen’s death in 1817 that her works were sent out to print. In 2017 The Royal Mint issued a £2 coin to commemorate 200 years since her death; the reverse design, by Dominique Evans, features a portrait of Austen herself and was approved by leading Jane Austen Academic, Professor John Mullan.
Frankenstein £2
Mary Shelley’s novel ‘Frankenstein’ is widely regarded as the first science-fiction novel. To celebrate 200 years since publication, The Royal Mint issued the Frankenstein £2 coin in 2018. The design, by Royal Mint designer Thomas T. Docherty, portrays ECG monitor style wording of ‘Frankenstein’. The coin also features the edge lettering ‘A SPARK OF BEING’ which is a quote taken from the novel.
Paddington Bear 50ps
Struck to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the classic book, two Paddington Bear 50p coins were issued in 2018. The design on each coin is derived from the modern film adaptation of the book and shows the much-loved bear at Paddington Station and at Buckingham Palace.
The designs, by David Knapton, include incredible detail – from Paddington’s famous duffle coat to the label around his neck that reads ‘Please look after this Bear, thank you.’
A further 2 Paddington 50ps were issued in 2019, continuing his adventures around London, visiting the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Snowman 50p
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 7 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™!
Secure the latest Snowman™ 50p >>
The Gruffalo 50p
Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo was first published in 1999 and in 2019, to celebrate 20 years of the world’s best-loved monster, The Royal Mint issued a commemorative 50p, featuring The Gruffalo. The reverse image was designed by Magic Light Pictures themselves and features The Gruffalo as seen in the modern film adaptation. The Gruffalo 50p has seen remarkable popularity since its release and has proven a firm favourite with collectors.
And so collectors were unsurprisingly overjoyed when they heard the news that a second Gruffalo 50p would be released later in 2019. This coin features the Gruffalo and Mouse from Julia Donaldson’s bedtime classic and makes for the perfect pair with the original Gruffalo coin released earlier that year.
In 2024, the long awaited third Gruffalo coin was issued, this time featuring The Gruffalo’s Child! The bestselling sequel to The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, inspired the design of this coin, featuring the mouse sporting a sneaky smirk and the Gruffalo’s Child anxiously anticipating the arrival of the Big Bad Mouse, Stick Man in hand.
Add the 2024 Gruffalo’s Child 50p to your collection >>
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 50p
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without the man who revolutionised the crime genre with his creation of one Britain’s best-loved detectives, Sherlock Holmes™. To mark the 160th anniversary of Doyle’s birth, The Royal Mint issued a commemorative 50p coin paying homage to the author’s legendary works. The reverse has been designed by Stephen Raw and features a silhouette of Sherlock Holmes smoking a pipe, surrounded by a few of the most-famous Holmes story titles.
We’ve only just scratched the surface of the UK coins that have been issued celebrating literary characters and authors, there are so many more that we haven’t mentioned! Which literary themed UK coin is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!
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What do Change Checkers love about coin collecting?
Happy Valentine’s Day Change Checkers!
Today we’re celebrating our shared love of coin collecting and below you’ll find some amazing reasons why Change Checkers love this timeless hobby…
“I love all the different designs & finding them to add to your collection, I have a collection for both my children & I love seeing their faces as they look through their folders at all the different designs! Raiding my family & friends change as well is always fun.” – Lisa Owen
“ Love checking through my change for new coins for my collection. I even have my friends saving me the ‘weird coins’ and love to see them get excited for me!!” – Tyra Bisset
“It’s the anticipation of buying something when you’re out and about, seeing a shiny or well used coin and finding out it’s one you don’t have in your collection. I got my last 2 Beatrix Potter 50p’s just by having a cheeky cuppa and getting them in my change.” – Nina Goodman
“We love the different designs that are on the coins and the excitement of finding them in a hunt! ?” – Coins with Lauren and Miya
“I like that I get most of the good/new coins from my husband Sam Chisholm-Brown while he is away with work. It helps me to remember that he’s still thinking about me. This week he sent a photo of the Mary Rose, so I have that to look forward to on Friday when he gets home. P.s. He hasn’t found me a 10p yet *unicorn poop!” Jemma Chisholm-Brown
“Seeing the historical events on the coins ?. And finding new coins that you haven’t got… completing a set. There are loads.” – Lizzie Martin
“Finding a new coin you don’t have is like Christmas. I love collecting them and some of them have meaning or have been made for a reason and I like to add them to my collection.” – Ellie Bibby
“Love seeing all the different designs and the joy it gives when turning over the coin to see which design I have, old and new alike.” – Michelle Bullimore
“I love collecting coins because I love looking at all the different designs on them. When I find one I don’t have I get so excited like it’s my birthday or Christmas. All my family and friends like to join in with my hunt to so that makes me love it even more especially when they find ones I don’t have. ?” – Hannah Sutton
“The surprise element of not knowing what you’ll get in your change or coin bags.” – James Goodman
“I like the collecting element and searching through your change (and badgering friends to keep weird designed coins) in the hope you get ones you need and also they look pretty.” – Alex Campbell
“I love the hunt, and that moment of excitement when it’s another one ticked of the list.” – Robert Lipman
“It’s an investment for my kids ? they love all the different design too!” – Leanne Wallwork
“I love collecting coins for 3 reasons: the excitement of looking, the fact that they can be found in so many places, and finally, that you could actually make a small fortune.” – John Moss
“Just seeing the excitement on my daughter’s face when she finds one she hasn’t already got is priceless.” – Deborah Wood
“I love collecting coins because of the great designs on them. Also I see it as preserving a part of british history. Kids in the future will probably never see half of the 50ps and definitely never see the old round pounds.” – Bradley Knott
“Collecting coins has meant family coming together enjoying a harmless hobby, grandchildren learn a bit of history as well.” – Judith Nichols
“Used to collect stickers and cards as a kid. That excitement and anticipation of opening the pack to see what was inside is now kinda what I feel when there’s a coin that, at first glance, is obviously not the usual design.” – Adam Grimmer
“I’ve collected coins for over 25 years. I love the different designs and I have friends and family who keep an eye out for me. I also collect each country from every year as well. It’s a very exciting hobby. I love going to antiques fairs with my son who has started collecting also.” – Kathryn Michelle Robins
“The fact that the whole family can join in. My son and wife get as excited as I do when they find that elusive coin.” – Tony Maden
Thank you to everyone for sharing the reasons why you love coin collecting. As always, we love hearing from Change Checkers, so leave us a comment below to share the love and get in touch with us this Valentine’s day.
Love,
Rachel and the Change Checker team
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– Find and identify the coins in their pocket
– Collect and track the coins they have
– Swap their spare coins with other Change Checkers
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5 Fascinating Coins from Around the World
As today is Random Acts of Kindness day, I’ve decided to take a look and some of the most random, weird and wonderful coins issued from all around the world.
Whilst these coins haven’t entered circulation, I’m sure you will agree that they are works of art from truly innovative Mints. It’s been really exciting to discover the unique coins different countries have to offer, so take a look at the designs below to see some of the fascinating coins international mints have produced.
Germany’s see through 5 Euro
Developed by Dr Peter Huber and Günther Waadt, this unusual coin is a first of its kind. Released in 2016, the see through coin features a blue plastic ring in the middle and has been named ‘Blue Planet Earth’.
Not only is the blue ring easy to identify and authenticate by the naked eye, it is made of polymer plastic which behaves like a form of insulation between the pieces of two different metals and will be easy for cash machine to recognize whether it is real or fake.
German 5 euros. Credit: coincollectionmarket.com
A German Minting Technology team has spent a decade developing this new security feature. In fact, it’s the first coin to be made from a combination of metal and plastic materials which are rumoured to change colour when exposed to UV light.
In 2017, five more coins were created to reflect Earth’s climatic zones with the use of a different coloured plastic polymer ring to represent each zone. The series will continue releasing one coin per year until 2021.
Canada’s 3D Snowball Fight 50 Cents
Image credit: www.mint.ca
We all love a snowball fight and this wonderful Canadian 50 Cent coin allows you to bring to life the magic of a snowball fight on an innovative 3D coin!
The Royal Canadian Mint is renowned for their forward thinking technology, and in 2018 they used lenticular printing to create artist Tony Bianco’s fun-filled design with an illusion of depth, which actually appears to move as the coin is viewed from different angles – so watch out for those snowballs!
It really put a smile on my face when I came upon this coin in my research, and with a mintage of just 20,000 I’m sure those few Canadian Change Checkers who were lucky enough to add this coin to their collection will really treasure this coin.
Palau’s Bottle Top Coin
This is the world’s first ever ‘beer bottle top-shaped’ legal tender coin. Issued in 2016 to honour the 500th Anniversary of the Bavarian Purity Law – the enactment by Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria in 1516 states that only 4 ingredients can be used to produce the beer and even provides a restriction on pricing.
Whether you’re a beer lover or coin enthusiast – or both – I’m sure you’ll agree that this unusual coin is a fitting tribute to this landmark occasion in the history of brewing.
The obverse of the crown-cap-shaped coin shows the coat of arms of the issuing state below an outrigger canoe. Whilst the reverse shows two toasting beer mugs and a crown.
Nauru’s First Issue of the Euro 10 Dollars
Image credit: Numista
This unique and incredibly intricate ten dollar coin was issued in Nauru (a tiny island in Micronesia, northeast of Australia) in 2002 to commemorate the first Euro coinage.
The unusual coin is shaped as a map of Europe and has been struck in .999 pure silver.
On the obverse you can see the Bank of Nauru’s coat of arms and on the reverse is a gold plated Euro coin and the words ‘2002 – FIRST ISSUE OF THE EURO’.
Chad’s Earth Meteorite Gold Proof 3000 Francs
Within this Pure Gold Proof coin, issued in Chad in 2017, is a Moldavite Tektite gemstone – unique evidence of what can happen on the incredibly rare occasion that a meteorite hits the Earth.
These gemstones can only be found at five locations on Earth, and throughout the Middle Ages, they were highly prized and strictly reserved for those born of royal blood and nobility.
Struck from 0.5g of pure Gold, this coin is what is known as ‘small’ Gold – a collecting craze that is proving to be extremely popular among collectors worldwide, making this already very unique coin even more special.
With so many fascinating coins issued around the world, you don’t have to look far to find inspiration for your international collection. What do you think about the coins above and have you found any weird and wonderful coins for yourself?