Posts Tagged ‘new 50p’
Giants of the Jurassic – The 2021 Mary Anning 50p Collection!
Are you ready to discover the mighty beasts of the sea and sky?
In 2021, The Royal Mint have revealed new 50p series celebrating Mary Anning and her fossil discoveries on the Jurassic coast.
Dimorphodon 50p
The final coin in the series features a design of the Dimorphodon. The Dimorphodon was a primitive flying reptile that coexisted during the age of the dinosaurs and was first discovered by Mary Anning in Dorset.
Whilst the Dimorphodon’s 1.7m wing-span is impressive, what makes this Jurassic Giant so unique, is that its name literally translates to ‘two-form tooth’. This is due to the Dimorphodon having several large pointed teeth in the front of its jaws and much smaller ones set in the back.
The design on this coin shows both of these features in perfect detail, with the creature’s wings spanning across nearly the entire diameter of the coin and its sharp teeth in clear view.
Plesiosaurus 50p
The second coin in the series celebrates one of the Jurassic Coast’s greatest marine reptiles, the Plesiosaurus.
The Plesiosaurus was about 4.5 metres in length and is estimated to have weighed about 45 tonnes – that’s about 7 elephants! But what makes this Jurassic Giant so unique, is the power of its bite! It’s estimated that the Plesiosaurus had the largest bite force of any known animal and with teeth as sharp as needles, there’s no doubt this reptile dominated the oceans!
If you look closely, you can even see this Jurassic Giant’s teeth in the design of this 50p coin!
The 2021 UK Plesiosaurus 50p is no longer available from The Royal Mint, but you can secure it in Change Checker packaging for just £12.99 (+p&p) >>
Temnodontosaurus 50p
The first coin in the series celebrated Mary Anning’s very first ichthyosaur, the Temnodontosaurus.
The ‘cutting tooth lizard’ (as it’s otherwise known) is one of the largest ichthyosaurs to have been discovered by Mary Anning in Lyme Regis, Dorset.
This apex marine predator hunted in the deep ocean millions of years ago, but now this prehistoric beast has been brought to life once more – its likeness captured in exquisite detail on this 50p.
The 2021 UK Temnodontosaurus 50p is no longer available from The Royal Mint, but you can secure it in Change Checker packaging for just £12.99 (+p&p) >>
The Unsung Hero of Fossil Discovery
Mary Anning is remembered as being one of the greatest fossil hunters and paleontologists to have ever lived.
At the start of her career, she claimed her excavations were merely to explore her ‘curiosities’. Later, she was to discover remains of some of the greatest creatures to have ever swam in our shores and soared in our skies.
Famous in her home town of Lyme Regis, Dorset, Anning’s work left a legacy of fossil hunting, paleontology and science.
Dinosaur fans and historians alike, still flock to the seaside town in their thousands every year to learn more about her discoveries and to try and unearth their very own creatures in the sand and rocks!
Sought-after Series
This collection followed in the gigantic footsteps of the 2020 Dinosauria 50p series, which brought us the Megalosaurus, Iguanodon, and Hylaeosaurus 50p coins.
These coins were a definite numismatic highlight of 2020, with collectors quickly snapping up these dino-mite coins for their own collections. This was the FIRST-TIME ever that Dinosaurs featured on a UK coin and the theme continued in 2021 with three prehistoric creatures being celebrated on coins.
Each coin in the collection was been designed by renowned British paleo-artist Robert Nicholls with the expert guidance of Sandra Chapman of the Earth Sciences Department of the Natural History Museum.
Let us know in the comments which Mary Anning 50p is your favourite from the collection!
Secure the 2021 Mary Anning 50p Set
You can order the complete set of three 2021 UK Mary Anning 50p coins here >>
We’re mad as a hatter over these Alice in Wonderland 50ps from the Isle of Man!
Change Checker is so excited to reveal a brand new set of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 50p coins, authorised for release by the Isle of Man Treasury!
Excitingly for collectors, this is the first time (worldwide!) that the story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland have been celebrated on a 50p coin.
Issued to celebrate 150 years since author, Lewis Carroll, first published his tale of fantasy, nonsense, and fun, these brand new 50ps are nothing short of magical.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 50p Set
Prepare yourself to fall down the rabbit hole with these brand new FIVE 50p coins, designed by renowned illustrator Stephen Lee. The designs of these coins depict the books’ most beloved characters featuring quotes inspired by the characters, including:
- Alice: “What a curious feeling! said Alice”
- Cheshire Cat: “We’re all mad here”
- Queen of Hearts: “That’s enough! Off with their Head”
- The Mad Hatter: “I am under no obligation to make sense to you”
- The White Rabbit: “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get”
Which coin is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!
Only the Alice 50p coin will be issued individually, but you can secure this amazing five coin set in Brilliant Uncirculated Quality, or in stunning .925 Sterling Silver.
Your Brilliant Uncirculated Quality quality coins will come protectively housed in a bespoke presentation pack, carefully curated by the coins’ designer.
To secure the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderful 50p BU Set for your collection for JUST £31.25 (+p&p) click here >>
Strictly Limited Edition
You won’t want to be late to this party as what’s most exciting about the coins is that there are some very low edition limits for the Silver Proof versions…
Silver 50p coins are, without doubt, the collector’s favourite and a sell-out is inevitable.
The complete set is strictly limited to just 1,995 worldwide. When compared to the sellout story of the 2019 UK Gruffalo Silver Proof 50p, which had a mintage of 25,000, it’s almost certain there will not be enough of these Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Silver Proof 50p sets to satisfy demand.
You can secure yours for your collection by clicking here >>
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 50p Coin
This 50p is the only coin in the set to have been issued individually, and it celebrates none other than the main character herself, Alice.
The coin features a carefully curated design of Alice, by renowned illustrator Stephen Lee. The design is also partnered with an excerpt of her best-known quote “‘What a curious feeling’ said Alice“.
This coin is available in Brilliant Uncirculated quality for JUST £6.25 (+p&p) and will come protectively housed in a bespoke presentation pack, carefully curated by the coins’ designer as the perfect pairing.
But, for those collectors looking for a little bit more adventure, this brand new coin is also available in stunning .925 Sterling Silver.
Struck to a pristine Proof finish, with the added extra of selective vivid colour to bring the design to life, this coin is, without a doubt, one of the most visually appealing coins we’ve seen in recent years.
What’s more, this coin will come protectively housed in a presentation box, along with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity confirming its place in the strict edition limit.
To secure yours for JUST £65.00 (+p&p) simply click here >>
Can I find the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 50ps in my change?
If you’re living on the Isle of Man, then yes!
10,000 of each coin will be entering circulation on the Isle of Man and when you compare that to the mintage figures for UK coins (our rarest 50p in circulation has a mintage of 210,000) you’ll realise just how few of these coins are actually out there.
Coins issued on the Isle of Man typically have lower mintage figures due to the smaller population of just 84,000 which means that their coins are particularly sought-after amongst collectors.
And, based on the popularity of the 2019 and 2020 Peter Pan 50ps that entered circulation on the Island, I’m sure that British Isles collectors will be super quick to snap these ones up!
Alice in Wonderland remains one of the world’s most famous and best-loved children’s tales, with fans spanning across generations.
So with a theme as strong as this, paired with those incredibly low mintage figures for the silver proof versions, these coins are sure to be a hit with collectors.
Will you be securing them for your collection? Let us know in the comments below!
Secure the 2021 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 50p BU Set today!
Your Brilliant Uncirculated Quality coins will come protectively housed in a bespoke presentation pack, carefully curated by the coins’ designer.
To secure the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderful 50p BU Set for your collection for JUST £31.25 (+p&p) click here >>
Why did The Royal Mint revert to the Queen’s decimal first effigy?
2021 marks 50 years since our UK coins turned decimal, in the biggest numismatic change seen in centuries.
In celebration of this significant anniversary, The Royal Mint issued not one, but TWO Decimal Day 50ps in 2021. The reverse designs are the same, but that certainly can’t be said for their obverses…
The first version of the Decimal Day 50p, available exclusively in the 2021 Annual Coin Set, features the original Arnold Machin portrait of Her Majesty The Queen on the obverse – the same obverse used for the UK’s very first decimal coins.
However, the individual coin which was released later in January, featured Jody Clark’s fifth portrait of The Queen instead.
So why did The Royal Mint revert back to the Queen’s first decimal effigy for this new issue? Join Change Checker as we take a closer look…
Spot the Difference
The 50p available in the Annual Set which features the original Machin portrait on the obverse, quickly caught the eyes of collectors as this was the first time we have seen The Royal Mint revert a previous portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II on a base metal UK coin.
Marking 50 years since our UK coins went decimal, it seemed only fitting that this coin should include Machin’s obverse design.
But, when the Decimal Day 50p was individually released later in January, collectors had the opportunity to get their hands on a second version of this coin, as Jody Clark’s portrait of The Queen featured on the obverse.
So with two versions of the 2021 UK Decimal Day 50p out there, this coin is set to become a real talking point among collectors!
Arnold Machin Portrait
The significance of this anniversary and the fact that the Machin portrait of HM QEII was the first to be used on the UK’s 50p, makes for the perfect excuse to revert back to this previous effigy on the exclusive Decimal Day 50p within the Annual Set.
The UK’s very first decimal coins (5p, 10p, followed by 50p) actually entered circulation before 1971 and as they were circulating together with pre-decimal currency, a new portrait of The Queen was commissioned to help the new coins stand out.
Arnold Machin’s new portrait showed The Queen wearing a tiara given to The Queen by her grandmother, Queen Mary.
We love the fact that collectors have the chance to see this previous portrait reused on this brand new 50p and it certainly makes for interesting collecting!
Have you secure both versions of the 2021 Decimal Day for your collections? Let us know in the comments below!
But that’s not all, as this is not the first time we’ve seen different obverses used on the same coin…
2015 Battle of Britain 50p
In 2015, The Battle of Britain 50p shot to fame as collectors were quick to spot that there were THREE different versions of the coin, with different obverses on each of them.
The Brilliant Uncirculated 50p was issued early in 2015 and was quickly dubbed an ‘error’ coin. The coins, which were sold in presentation packs, had been struck without the denomination in either numbers or writing anywhere on the coin. Chancers were quick to play to this, with some managing to sell on the coins for near to £100 each on the secondary market.
After the controversy surrounding the coin erupted, the Royal Mint confirmed that the 50p intended for circulation later on in the year would have the ’50 PENCE’ denomination. But was this after they had realised their mistake?
So how did this coin end up with three different obverses?
Each version of this coin has caused a stir in the collecting world. Not only does this Battle of Britain 50p fail to feature a denomination on the Brilliant Uncirculated version, but the obverse is different for each finish used for the coin – a first for a UK commemorative coin.
In 2019, a brand new re-issued Brilliant Uncirculated version of the Battle of Britain 50p (from the 2019 50th Anniversary of the 50p Military Set) saw Jody Clark’s portrait and the 50 PENCE denomination – making this the FOURTH version of this 50p!
Do you have any of the Battle of Britain 50p coins? Let us know in the comments below!
Secure the 2021 Annual Set with the Decimal Day 50p that features the original Arnold Machin obverse!
Own ALL FIVE brand new 2021 coins in superior collector quality for JUST £40.00 (+p&p).
Each coin has been struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality and protectively encapsulated in official Change Checker packaging, within in a Change Checker Display Page – perfect to slot into your Change Checker Album.
Order today to own the 2021 Commemorative coin Set in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality by clicking here >>