Posts by The Westminster Collection
HMS Belfast 2025 UK £2 Coin Range: A Tribute to Britain’s Most Formidable Warship
A legendary symbol of British naval strength has just been unveiled on an official UK £2 coin range for the very first time. The mighty HMS Belfast — a ship that played a decisive role in World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War — now takes its place in coin-collecting history.
This release also makes history in more ways than one:
- The last new UK coin of the year — making it a landmark release to close out 2024.
- The first UK £2 coin to bear a 2025 date — a significant milestone for collectors.
These firsts, coupled with the ship’s rich history, make this coin one of the most important issues of the year.
The Legacy of HMS Belfast
Launched in 1938, HMS Belfast played a pivotal role in some of the most critical moments of the 20th century. As part of the Arctic convoys, she helped sink the German battleship Scharnhorst in 1943 — one of the Royal Navy’s greatest victories of WWII. The following year, she was a key player in the D-Day landings, bombarding German defences to support Allied troops at Sword Beach.
After WWII, she served in the Korean War and patrolled key locations during the Cold War, maintaining Britain’s naval dominance. Her final commission ended in 1963, and she was preserved as a museum ship on the River Thames. Today, HMS Belfast is a symbol of Britain’s naval heritage and a living memorial to the sailors who served aboard her.
The 2025 UK £2 Coin: A Collectible Like No Other
This striking coin depicts HMS Belfast as she appeared in the 1960s, accompanied by her Latin motto, “PRO · TANTO · QVID · RETRIBVAMVS” (What shall we give in return for so much?). Developed with the support of the Imperial War Museum (IWM), it offers collectors a chance to own a tangible link to this legendary warship.
Available in four stunning finishes — Gold Proof, Silver Proof Piedfort, Silver Proof, and Brilliant Uncirculated — each edition comes with informative packaging detailing HMS Belfast’s history and service record.
Why Collectors Will Want This Coin
- First-of-its-kind design – The first-ever UK coin dedicated to HMS Belfast.
- Commemorates naval heritage – A tribute to one of Britain’s most iconic warships.
- Limited availability – Early-release coins like this often sell out quickly.
This is more than a coin — it’s a tribute to the ship that played a decisive role in some of Britain’s greatest wartime victories.
Don’t miss your chance to secure the HMS Belfast 2025 UK £2 Coin and own a piece of naval history.
Sir Paul McCartney Makes Headlines with New Brand new UK £5 Coin
Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has called it a “huge honour” to be celebrated on a new UK coin, unveiled by The Royal Mint this week. The coin marks a first-of-its-kind tribute to the music legend’s ground-breaking career, making headlines across the world.
The headline act is the Brilliant Uncirculated £5 coin, part of a new collection, featuring an intricate design that showcases elements of McCartney’s illustrious journey in music. From his iconic Magic Piano to the Höfner violin bass guitar and the Wings logo, every detail has been personally approved by McCartney himself. Adding a personal touch, piano notes chosen by Sir Paul feature prominently in the design.
“It’s not anything I would have ever expected to happen when I was a kid,” McCartney said, reflecting on his surprise at receiving such an honour.
A Collectible for Every Fan
Celebrate the music legend Paul McCartney with The Royal Mint’s brand new release.
>>> Click here to explore the range. <<<
Whether you’re a Beatles superfan or an avid coin collector, there’s something for everyone in this range. Prices start at £13.99 for the Brilliant Uncirculated edition in official Royal Mint packaging, with coloured and precious metal versions with strict edition limits also available.
An Iconic Career
From his pioneering days with The Beatles to his solo success and time with Wings, McCartney’s career spans decades of hits, accolades, and critical acclaim. Despite his towering status in music and pop culture, this is the first time McCartney has been honoured with a UK coin.
The design, crafted by Osborne Ross in collaboration with McCartney’s production company MPL Communications, condenses the essence of his career into a single coin. His handwritten signature is central to the design, flanked by the left-handed Höfner violin bass and the Wings logo. The background features the vibrant psychedelia of the Magic Piano, paying homage to McCartney’s roots with The Beatles.
Right: UK 2024 Paul McCartney Official Silver Proof 1oz Coin
Making Headlines Across the Nation
The unveiling of the Paul McCartney coin has sparked excitement globally, with fans and collectors rushing to secure their piece of history. Media outlets have praised the coin for its intricate design and the unprecedented collaboration with McCartney, making it a landmark moment in numismatics.
This commemorative release highlights not only McCartney’s remarkable career but also the unifying power of his music, which has inspired generations and transcended borders. Whether displayed as a keepsake or treasured as part of a collection, this 2024 UK coin is a fitting tribute to one of Britain’s most celebrated icons.
Tudor England: A Pop Culture Phenomenon That Never Fades
Over 500 years have passed since Henry VIII ruled England, but the Tudor dynasty continues to captivate hearts and minds across the globe. From the West End to prime-time TV, the Tudors remain an enduring source of fascination, blending drama, romance, intrigue, and sheer opulence. Let’s explore why this fascinating chapter of history remains such a vibrant part of today’s pop culture.
On Stage and Screen
One of the most dazzling examples of Tudor history thriving in modern entertainment is SIX: The Musical. This sensational stage production reimagines the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives as a pop concert, blending history with empowering anthems. Each queen tells her side of the story in a high-energy, feminist reworking of their tales, turning tragic endings into bold declarations of independence. The show’s global success proves that even centuries-old stories can have a modern voice.
Credit – https://sixonbroadway.com/ Youtube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@sixglobal
Meanwhile, dramas like the BBC’s Wolf Hall and The Tudors bring Tudor England to life on screen with breathtaking visuals and riveting storytelling. These series capture the drama of court life, from Anne Boleyn’s rise and fall to Thomas Cromwell’s machinations behind the throne. Their cinematic portrayal keeps audiences hooked, proving that historical figures like Henry VIII are as compelling as any fictional character.
Watch the BBC first on iPlayer 👉 https://bbc.in/iPlayer-Home
Fashioning the Past: Tudor Style in Modern Media
Tudor fashion and iconography are unmistakable. Who can forget the opulent gowns, towering headdresses, or Henry VIII’s iconic fur-trimmed robes? These elements regularly influence everything from runway shows to film costuming, where echoes of Tudor grandeur and style are reinterpreted in new and creative ways. Even in modern art and advertising, the distinctive visual style of the Tudors continues to inspire.
Endless Drama: Why We Love the Tudors
The Tudors’ stories read like a script for the ultimate soap opera. Love, betrayal, power struggles, and executions—these timeless themes resonate across generations. The larger-than-life personas of Henry VIII and his wives bring unparalleled drama, making them a source of inspiration for writers, directors, and artists.
Celebrating Tudor England Through Collectibles
For history enthusiasts and collectors, tangible connections to this era, like collectible coins or commemoratives, offer a a unique way to immortalise Tudor history. Our exclusive range of products featuring Henry VIII and his wives captures the essence of this fascinating period. Each item is a tribute to the characters and stories that continue to inspire books, plays, and films.
From stage musicals to prestige dramas, the Tudors have a unique ability to bridge the gap between history and pop culture. Their enduring appeal lies in the rich tapestry of their lives, full of triumphs and tragedies that continue to resonate. Whether you’re a fan of SIX, Wolf Hall, or simply fascinated by the legacy of this iconic dynasty, the Tudors prove that history is never truly in the past—it’s alive, dynamic, and endlessly inspiring.
