Posts Tagged ‘UK’
Is there an even rarer version of the Navy £2 in circulation?
Change Checkers have been speculating whether there are two different design variations of the 2015 Navy £2 coin that was released into circulation a couple of months ago.
This coin has already caused a stir in the collecting world as we revealed it was one of the rarest £2 coins with just 650,000 struck for circulation.
The 2015 Navy £2 coin was released into circulation a couple of months ago.
The original Navy £2 design (above) shows the coin without any markings on the top right of the mast, but we’ve seen a few £2’s out there that look like they have a flying flag.
A number of people have been enquiring about whether there were two different designs of the Navy £2 coin struck for circulation.
As you can see from the two coins pictured above, the coin on the right looks like it has a flying flag on the mast whereas the first coin is free from any markings.
So are there two different designs?
No – The Royal Mint strike up to 5 billion coins a year and from time to time cracks in the die can cause pools of metal to form on the coin.
It just so happens that this bit of metal has caused the markings on these coins to look like a flying flag on the ship fueling speculation that two different variations were struck.
Well done to the eagle-eyed change checkers out there who spotted differences between the coins. It’s the little details like these that make collecting so interesting so remember to always check your change carefully.
Have you checked your Navy £2?
Let us know via Facebook, Twitter or leave us a comment below.
What’s your coin of the year?
I’m sure you’ll agree that 2016 has been a great year for coin collectors with so many significant anniversaries being commemorated and some fantastic designs.
So which coin do you think deserves to be the ‘2016 Coin of the Year’ winner?
Cast your vote now using the poll at the bottom of the page.
A) The Queen’s 90th Birthday £5
To celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday, this special £5 coin was released. Designed by Christopher Hobbs, the new coin features a crowned Royal Cypher above the number 90, surrounded by roses.
B) The Great Fire of London £2
This £2 coin marks 350 years since the Great Fire destroyed virtually all of the old walled City of London. The coin was designed by Aaron West and depicts the city of London burning in flames from a distance.
C) The WW1 Army £2
This £2 is the third issue in The Royal Mint’s five year First World War Centenary series and commemorates the role of the Army. Designed by Tim Sharp, the coin honours the ‘Pals Battalions’ and marks a poignant moment in military history.
D) The Shakespeare Tragedies £2
This £2 is one of three that celebrate William Shakespeare’s life work and commemorates the 400th anniversary since his death. Designed by John Bergdahl, the coin takes inspiration from Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy play, Romeo and Juliet.
E) The Shakespeare Comedies £2
To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, this £2 coin has been issued. Designed by John Bergdahl, the £2 coin takes inspiration from Shakespeare’s most famous comedy play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
F) The Shakespeare Histories £2
This £2 is one of three coins issued to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of Britain’s greatest playwright. Designed by John Bergdahl, this coin takes inspiration from Shakespeare’s most famous history play, Macbeth.
G) The Last ‘Round’ £1
This £1 is the final ’round pound’ issued by The Royal Mint, calling time on a coin which was first issued more than thirty years ago. Designed by Gregory Cameron, the coin features the animals that represent each of the four constituent UK countries.
H) The Beatrix Potter 50p
To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter, The Royal Mint have released this 50p to celebrate Beatrix herself. Designed by Emma Noble, this coin features some of the best-loved characters in children’s literature along with the nostalgic font used in the inscription.
I) The Peter Rabbit 50p
The ‘Tale of Peter Rabbit’ was the first of Beatrix Potter’s tales and the mischievous character has been captured in the centre of this 50p coin, designed by Emma Noble.
J) The Jemima Puddle-Duck 50p
The ‘Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck’ features a domestic duck, names Jemima, whose character is featured on this 50p coin. Designed by Emma Noble, Jemima Puddle-Duck is instantly recognisable in the centre of the coin.
K) The Mrs Tiggy-Winkle 50p
Mrs Tiggy-Winkle is the fourth release in the Beatrix Potter 50p series. Designed by Emma Boble, the conscientious hedgehog features on this 50p in her washerwoman’s dress and petticoat.
L) The Squirrel Nutkin 50p
Designed by Emma Noble, the loveable rogue ‘Squirrel Nutkin’ features at the very heart of this 50p – with his whiskers and once bushy tail captured in great detail.
M) The Battle of Hastings 50p
Struck to mark the 950th Anniversary of The Battle of Hastings, this coin depicts the fate of King Harold at the hands of William The Conqueror, along with the date 1066 – when the battle took place.
N) The Team GB 50p
This 50p was issued to wish Team GB success in Rio de Janieiro at the 2016 Summer Olympics. The coin features a swimmer with the Team GB logo and Olympic rings, an original design created for Rio 2016 by Tim Sharp.
Cast your vote now!
Everything you need to know about the new polymer £5 note
Which banknotes are changing, and when? 
The Bank of England is issuing a new Polymer (or plastic) £5 note which will enter circulation on 13 September, 2016. You’ll start to see the notes in the following days and weeks. Around 5,200 ATM’s dispense £5 notes and most are expected to switch to dispensing the new notes within the first month.
There will also be a new £10 note in Summer 2017, and a new £20 note by 2020. The current £50 note was issued in 2011 and there are currently no plans to replace it in the near future.
How will the new banknotes change?
The new £5, £10 and £20 notes will be printed on Polymer – a thin and flexible plastic material. This means that the new notes will be cleaner, safer and stronger than paper notes.
They will also feature added security features. The five pound note will feature:
- A large see-through window containing an image of the queen and a foil Elizabeth Tower.
- The Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) is gold on the front and silver on the back.
- The silver foil patch at the bottom of the tower has a hologram of the word ‘Five’ changing to the word ‘Pounds’.
- The silver foil patch at the top of the tower has an image of the coronation crown which appears 3D.
- Under ultra-violet light, the number 5 appears in bright red and green.
What size will the new banknotes be?
The new notes will be around 15% smaller than the current paper notes but will retain the traditional look of the existing notes, with a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen on the front, and a historic character on the back. The existing format of tiered sizing will be maintained, i.e. the higher the denomination, the longer the height and the length of the note.
Which historic characters will appear on the new banknotes?
The Polymer five pound note will feature Sir Winston Churchill, the ten pound note will feature Jane Austen and the twenty pound note will feature J.M.W. Turner.
What will happen to my old paper banknotes?
The paper notes will start to be withdrawn from circulation as the polymer notes are introduced. It is expected that by January 2017 more than half the £5 notes in circulation will have been switched for polymer notes.
You can continue to use the paper £5 note until legal tender status is withdrawn in May 2017.
What happens if I still have old notes after legal tender status has been withdrawn?
All Bank of England notes retain their face value for all time. If your bank, building society or Post Office is not willing to accept these notes then they can be exchanged with the Bank of England in London by post or in person.
Will I be able to use the polymer banknotes in the same way as paper?
Yes. Polymer notes can be used in the same way as paper notes. For example, they will be available from ATM’s and can be folded in a wallet. Brand new polymer notes can sometimes stick together, but this effect is short-lived once in use.
Why bother changing them?
The new notes are expected to last at least 2.5 times longer than the current paper notes. In 2015 21,835 notes were replaced due to damage from being torn, washed, contaminated, damaged and even chewed and eaten!
The new polymer material is resistant to dirt and moisture which means they will stay in a better condition for longer. Plus, when a polymer note reaches the end of its life, it will be recycled.
Will they be collectable?
Like any new issues, collectors will be keen to own the very first notes. Early serial numbers are likely to be more sought after – especially on good condition or uncirculated notes.
Mark the moment the £5 banknote changed forever…
Just 5,000 new UK Polymer £5 Notes have been reserved for a Limited Edition DateStamp™ release.
Click here to add one to your collection.