New 50p coin features famous detective Sherlock Holmes
It's the first time he's been featured on a UK coin
Last updated 14th May 2019
Another new 50p coin has been released by the Royal Mint and this time it features the iconic detective created by Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes. The new coin features the recognisable side-profile silhouette of the detective, complete with his pipe.
The Royal Mint revealed a photo of the special coin, which isn't in circulation, alongside some special edition versions of it, captioning their photo, 'What's this we spy?! 🔎🕵️♂️ Celebrate a true giant of crime fiction with the Sherlock Holmes™ 50p. Head to our website to discover the Art of Deduction'.
Whilst the new 50p coin isn't available through circulation, it is available to buy directly from the Royal Mint website, priced at £10. Also on the website is a Sherlock Holmes 2019 UK 50p Silver Proof Piedfort Coin, priced at £95. This coin is double the weight of a standard coin and limited to three coins per household!
Of course in recent years, the character of Sherlock Holmes has been brought to live by Benedict Cumberbatch, in the popular TV series. Benedict played the iconic role from 2010 - 2017, winning several awards including, a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Movie/Miniseries Actor in 2012, and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2014.
Now take a look at other special coins and money:
UK Crowned Shield £1 coin
Although they are fairly common, they can currently fetch around £3 - £5.50. They are one of the oldest £1 coins around having been minted in 1988, just five years after the £1 coin was introduced.
Edinburgh City £1 coin
This was released in 2011 and is thought to be worth £12 - £16.
Scotland's Thistle and Bluebell £1 coin
Even with a mintage of 5.1 million it is worth £3 - £5 to collectors.
Cardiff City £1 coin
This coin features the Coat of Arms of Cardiff as the principal focus to represent Wales. It is thought to be worth £11 - £15.
London City £1 coin
Although more common than the Scottish and Welsh versions it is still worth £5 - £8.
EC and Kew Gardens
Dating back to 1992/3 this larger 50p coin (left) was issued to celebrate the British presidency of the council of Europe. No longer in circulation could be worth around £40.
The Kew Gardens design was minted to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Only 210,000 coins were made and is now expected to sell on eBay for £70 - £100.
2011 WWF and 2012 The Offside Explained
2011 WWF design of the 50p (left) can often sell for around £200 to collectors.
The Offside Explained 50p apparently regularly changes hands for around £10.
2012 Olympics - Swimmer
Early versions of the coin show the swimmer with the water covering their head, however later versions have the lines of water removed.
According to eBay only 600 of the early version are in circulation, fetching up to £3000 when they were first placed on eBay.
New fiver (£5)
The new £5 note was released into circulation on the 13th September 2016. Notes with serial numbers starting with AA or AK 47 sold for much more than than their face value.
New tenner (£10)
The new £10 note, featuring Jane Austen was released on 14th September 2017.
As before many with the serial number AA or AK 47 were highly sought after as well as those with serial numbers relating to Jane Austen's birthday, date of death, or date the Pride and Prejudice was first published.
Peter Rabbit 50p
The Peter Rabbit collectable coin is available to buy from the Royal Mint.
Benjamin Bunny 50p
Benjamin Bunny was released earlier this year (2017).
Tom Kitten 50p
Tom Kitten was released earlier this year (2017).
Jeremy Fisher 50p
Jeremy Fisher was released earlier this year (2017).
This latest 50p coin design is just one of many designs released in the past few years. In the past 12 months we've had a new designs featuring, Peter Rabbit, Professor Stephen Hawking, Paddington Bear, and the Gruffalo.
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