My TOP FIVE coins of the decade

We’re into a new decade so it’s the perfect time to take a look at the coin releases from the past 10 years, and what a time it’s been for coins!

There have been some incredible releases; from the record-breaking, to the poignant, and even coins that look nothing like coins.

I’ve decided to pick out my personal TOP FIVE coin releases of the decade. So without any further ado, here are the coins I believe deserve to be considered the greatest coins of the past 10 years. Drum roll please...


1. The London Olympic and Paralympic 50ps

Change Checker Olympic 50p Coin Pack Collection Coins - My TOP FIVE coins of the decade

They’re not just the coin series of the decade. These are the coins that transformed coin collecting.

Issued to mark London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this coin series played a huge part in transforming the 50p into world’s most popular collectable coin. In 2012, 29 50ps were released to commemorate the London Olympics and millions rose to the challenge of collecting them all.

The Royal Mint now estimates that as many as 75% of the Olympic 50p coins have been removed from circulation by collectors, which is a testament to their popularity.

It was the Olympic 50p series that paved the way to the 2010s becoming the decade of the 50p, so had to be included at the top of my list!


2. The Masterpiece Poppy

RBL 2018 Materpiece Poppy coin lifestyle reverse - My TOP FIVE coins of the decade

In terms of coins that push the boundaries of what is possible in coin design and production, there’s only one coin that deserves a mention – The Masterpiece Poppy issue.

Released to mark Remembrance Day, the 2018 Masterpiece Poppy was issued in support of the Royal British Legion. However, it’s not just the significant theme that makes this coin stand out for me.

The Golden colour poppy that adorns the coin was made from inert brass British artillery shell fuses recovered from First World War battlefields like The Somme.

And that’s not all. Each poppy features a central disc of red enamel which was mixed with earth recovered from several locations along the British Front Line of the Somme and Passenchendale.

These poppies are not only made of metal from WWI, but they also possess the very essence of the battlefield which the brave soldiers fought and died upon, and that many still lie at peace beneath.

As has been the case with all previous annual issues of the Masterpiece Poppy Coin, the 2018 issue has completely SOLD OUT. We do however have a tiny allocation left of the new 2019 Mother of Pearl Masterpiece Poppy Silver 5oz Coin. And this certainly doesn’t disappoint! If you’d like to find out more about this incredible coin, you can do so by clicking here >>


3. The Beatrix Potter 50ps

AT Beatrix Potter 50p Coins 650x450 1 - My TOP FIVE coins of the decade

It would be a crime not to mention the Beatrix Potter series. I’m sure you, just like me, remember reading the fascinating tales of Peter Rabbit and co. as a child, and the 50ps certainly do justice to those memorable tales.

3 years, and 14 coins later, the Beatrix Potter 50p series is one of the public’s favourite ever coin series. Since The Royal Mint released the first Beatrix Potter 50ps in 2016, these charming coins have created a collecting frenzy, becoming increasingly sought-after to this day.

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that this is one of the stand-out coin releases of all time, let alone the decade!

Are you a Beatrix Potter 50p fan? Or are you missing some key characters from your collection? Then you’ll be pleased to know that we still have limited numbers available of the Complete 2017 UK Beatrix Potter 50p Collection. Click here to check out the details and secure yours today >>


4. Bicentenary Sovereign

2017 Sovereign 1024x733 - My TOP FIVE coins of the decade
The 2017 UK Gold Proof Sovereign

But it’s certainly not all been about 50ps. In 2017 we saw The Royal Mint commemorate one of the UK’s oldest coin denominations, and it was an opportunity to see just what the Mint can do when it comes to high quality striking.

To mark the 200th anniversary of the UK’s premier gold coin, the Sovereign, The Royal Mint decided the remaster the 200 year old dies from the infamous designer Bennedito Pistrucci. And in doing so they created one of the most beautiful gold coins in the world.

This important release brought the Sovereign back to its glory days and reminded the world of why it’s known as the ‘Chief coin of the world’! Unsurprisingly this coin was snapped up by collectors and sold out in no time at all.

If you’re interested, we do still have limited numbers available of the brand new 2020 UK 2020 Gold Proof Sovereign. Though you’ll need to be quick if you’d like to secure one for your collection as demand has been extremely high. Click here to find out more >>


5. The Official Peter Pan 50p Coins

LS Peter Pan 2019 Silver Proof 50p Six Coin Set Lifestyle1 edit - My TOP FIVE coins of the decade
The Official Peter Pan Silver 50p Collection

And last, but by no means least, I couldn’t leave out the stand-out 50p release from 2019 which might be the best of them all – The Peter Pan 50ps.

2019 marked the 90th anniversary of JM Barrie’s gift to Great Ormond Street Hospital of the rights to his creation, Peter Pan. And to commemorate this generous gift a brand new series of British Isles Peter Pan 50p coins were issued.

Not only do they look absolutely incredible, for every coin sold a donation is made to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity to help support the hospital and the seriously ill children from across the UK who are cared for there. Through the sales of Peter Pan 50p coins, collectors have helped raise over £250,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital and Children’s Charity a truly incredible amount.

The Silver Proof Peter Pan 50p Set pictured above SOLD OUT shortly after its release, but you can still own ALL 6 of the sought-after 50p coins in the complete Brilliant Uncirculated Set. Find out more by clicking here >>


It’s so hard to cram a decade of incredible coin releases into a top five (and there are so many other incredible releases I could have included) but for me these five coins have been my personal stand outs.

Let me know your top five in the comments – but feel free to make it a top ten if you can’t narrow it down to just five!  

19 Comments

  1. Mark Baker on May 4, 2020 at 8:49 pm

    Just joined swap site the other day and have already swapped 2 coins. Looking forward to getting them. Great idea because I don’t have anyone to swap with otherwise.
    Well done Change Checker.
    Mark.

  2. Carol on February 27, 2020 at 9:11 pm

    Hi how come the A-Z of 10p coins have been out for sometime now and to be honest they are so hard to get yet the new £20 note only been released a few day are common.

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