Brand new coin designs revealed for 2018
They look good!
Last updated 2nd Jan 2018
Some exciting new designs will be available this year for 50p and £2 coins. Taking to Twitter yesterday The Royal Mint announced a new 50p design would be available to 'kick off a "monster" year for UK #coins'.
To mark 'A Turning Point in British Democracy' the new 50p will mark 100 years since the Representation of the People Act passed through Parliament. This was the act that allowed voting rights to all men over the age of 21 and women over the age of 30, who met certain requirements.
The new design for the 50p depicts five people, including two women, with the words '1918 Representation of the People Act'.
Along with the new 50p coin there are three new £2 coin designs. The first design has the word 'Frankenstein' to mark 200 years since the publication of Mary Shelley’s book. According to The Royal Mint in detailing the birth of the ‘monster’, Mary anticipated the era of genetic engineering and medical transplant surgery by more than a century.
The second £2 design commemorates the 100th anniversary of the First World War Armistice, marking a century since the silence fell over the battlefields, the coin has the words 'The truth untold the pity of war' on the back.
The third £2 design to be released this year honours another centenary, this time the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force which was formed in 1918.
These new designs are just part of The Royal Mint’s commemorative annual sets which are available to buy direct from the Royal Mint.
Now take a look at our gallery of special coins and notes:
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).