Posts by Alex
UK 50p inspired by Jim Kay’s illustrations of Harry Potter
A brand new collection of UK 50p coins is now available, celebrating 25 years since the first publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Since 1997, more than half a billion Harry Potter books have been sold. That means one in fifteen people in the world owns a Harry Potter book.
25 years on, the Harry Potter books continue to evolve. Most significantly, with newer illustrations by renowned artists, like Jim Kay.
Bringing magic to the page
Jim Kay is thought to have worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week on his reimagined illustrations of Harry Potter and the Wizarding World.
Jim Kay is the star of Bloomsbury’s latest editions and his illustrations can be seen in books 1-5.
From left to right: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Goblet of Fire and The Order of the Phoenix.
Speaking to The British Library, Kay said the commission of all seven illustrated Harry Potter books is the “most frightening” an artist could get.
When creating his illustrations for these books, Kay describes wanting to “give people something to discover on each reading”.
His illustrations take inspiration from museums, libraries, National Trust properties, and everything in between.
Drawing the Boy Who Lived
Jim Kay admits that the hardest thing to visualise in the whole project is Harry himself.
Sticking to the origins of the famous character, his drawings of the Boy Who Lived show a young boy, with as he describes, “an unusual face”.
2022 UK Harry Potter 50p
Jim Kay says seeing his illustrations on large scale print still fills him with fear. But, we’re sure he is delighted to see his drawings brought to life on the UK 50p for the first time.
The brand new collection of 50p coins is made up of four coins, starting with Harry Potter..
The first coin in the series is now available to order, with the remaining coins also available to pre-order.
Click here to add the Harry Potter 50p to your collection >>
New King’s portrait revealed by The Royal Mint
The Royal Mint have revealed the new portrait of King Charles III which will feature on UK coinage.
Created by renowned British sculptor Martin Jennings, the effigy has been personally approved by His Majesty. In keeping with tradition, The King’s portrait faces to the left, the opposite direction to Queen Elizabeth II.
It will be used for the very first time on a range of coins paying tribute to the life and reign of the late Queen.
The new range was released at 9am on Monday 3rd October.
This is the first time in nearly 70 years that we have had a new monarch on our coins. It is the most significant change to UK coinage since decimalisation in 1971.
The coins are available in several specifications including 50p, £5 and Ounce. Coins will be on sale at The Royal Mint until 31st December 2022.
Royal Mail stamps honour Queen Elizabeth II
To honour the life and achievements of Queen Elizabeth II, The Royal Mail has issued four commemorative stamps, featuring portraits of Her Late Majesty.
They feature beautiful black & white images of the Queen throughout her life, taken between 1952 and 1996.
The Queen Elizabeth II stamps are also the first to be approved by King Charles III, which is sure to increase collector demand.
The Westminster Collection have issued a limited set of these stamps, postmarked on their first day of issue – 10th November 2022.
New Royal Mail Stamps: Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Cover
Featured alongside the stamps is one of the most sought-after coins of recent years, the UK Platinum Jubilee £5 coin.
Just 2,022 of these covers are available to mark this important moment in history. And remember, the one-day-only postmark means no more can ever be produced.
Pay tribute to the incredible life of Queen Elizabeth II. Pre-order this special cover today for just £39.99 (+p&p) by clicking here >>
Queen Elizabeth II Stamp & Coin Memorial Set
As well as the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Cover, The Westminster Collection has an extremely limited collection of coins from the 1953 Coronation year, issued alongside these brand new stamps.
This memorial collection includes a complete collection of eight coins, each one struck by The Royal Mint in the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953.
At nearly 70 years old, these coins are difficult to find and incredibly sought-after on the secondary market.
JUST 495 issued
With brand new Royal Mail stamps, postmarked on their issue date, and alongside the 1953 circulating coinage, the edition limit of 495 isn’t likely to be enough.
Click here to secure your Queen Elizabeth II Stamp & Coin Memorial Set >>
Let us know in the comments below what you think of these brand new Queen Elizabeth II Royal Mail stamps.