Posts by Robin Parkes
All you need to know about the new 12-sided £1 Coin Collector Editions
The Royal Mint have released 1.4 billion brand new £1 coins into circulation in what is the single biggest change to the UK’s coinage since decimalisation.
It is, of course, a much anticipated day for coin collectors keen to own one of the first coins. But with enough £1 coins entering circulation for everyone in the population to own more than £20’s worth, the standard circulation coin will be two a penny – well at least two a pound.
That’s why serious collectors are looking to mark this numismatic milestone with something a bit more special – one of the collector editions being released by The Royal Mint, several of which have edition limits that seem certain to sell out quickly.
Here’s your guide to the most collectable versions of the new 12-sided £1 coin.
Perfect Quality. Very Affordable.
2017 UK Nations of the Crown CERTIFIED BU £1
Of course, quality is everything for coin collectors, which is why The Royal Mint is producing a collector quality base metal version of the new 12-sided £1 coin. Unlike the coins you’ll find in your change, these pieces have been specially struck and carefully handled to ensure that they remain free of the scratches and chips found amongst their circulating counterparts.
Known as Brilliant Uncirculated (BU), they are available for £9.99 in a Royal Mint Presentation Pack or £5.99 in a Change Checker Certified Brilliant Uncirculated Collector Card.
Silver Proof – the Collector’s Favourite
UK 2017 New 12 Sided Silver Proof £1
Perhaps the most important of the Collector Editions is the Silver Proof £1 Coin. Silver Proof coins have all of the qualities that collectors really desire.
- Precious metal content – struck from 925/1000 Sterling Silver with 24 Carat Gold-plate to create the outer ring.
- Strict Limited Edition – just 25,000 individual coins. That’s HALF the number of Silver Proof £1 Coins that were issued for the original Round £1 Coin in 1983.
- Perfect Proof Finish – even better than Brilliant Uncirculated, Proof coins are struck several times using specially polished dies to create a flawless finish with a perfect mirrored background and frosted design. The ultimate in coin quality.
Double the thickness. More than five times as limited.
UK 2017 New 12 Sided Silver Piedfort £1
For silver collectors looking for something even more collectable, the double thickness Piedfort edition is likely to be the first of the £1 sell-outs.
That’s because collectors not only own a rare double-thickness new £1 coin but there are just 4,5000 of them – less than five times the maximum mintage for the standard £1 silver proof.
The Gold Standard
UK 2017 New 12 Sided Gold Proof £1
For the ultimate limited edition, you can own the Gold Proof £1 Coin. Struck from 22 Carat Gold with a red gold outer ring, just 2,017 single coins have been authorised for issue.
Due to its very limited nature, we will contact you directly to discuss owning the Gold Proof £1 Coin if you are interested – please complete the form below.
Sign up here if you would like to be contacted about the Gold edition:
If you’re interested…
You can own one of the special Collector Edition 12-Sided £1 Coins today, click here to view the full range.
The Royal Jubilee celebrated for the VERY FIRST time in 2017…
Coming soon in 2017 – a remarkable British Royal Jubilee celebrated for the first time ever. Watch the video now…
Is this the most collectable Poppy Coin yet?
The 2016 Masterpiece Silver 5oz Poppy Coin
During the last few years collectors of the annual poppy coins, issued in support of The Royal British Legion, have helped raise over £500,000 for the charity to provide lifelong support for the Armed Forces community – serving men and women, veterans, and their families.
To mark the £500,000 milestone, a very special Poppy Coin has been authorised for release – The Masterpiece 5oz Silver Poppy Coin.
And it is called a masterpiece for a reason. Using cutting edge minting techniques the instantly recognisable red Poppy veritably bursts to life from the face of the coin.
With the design standing over 1.6mm tall, this type of relief can usually only be achieved through relatively unsophisticated casting methods. But this is NOT a cast piece.
From blank to finished coin – striking the Masterpiece Poppy Coin
It is a fully struck proof coin – and benefits from all the detail, mirroring and frosting that you expect from a commemorative proof coin.
Each coin starts life as a ‘blank’ – a highly polished solid silver disc. Next, the design is struck onto the coin up to 5 times using massive pressure and incredible skill. In fact, the coin is so difficult to produce many dies were broken in the process, but the resulting effect is definitely worth it.
Finally, the colour is applied using a special printing technique to give the coin its famous red Poppy – a perfect fit for a coin officially issued in support of The Royal British Legion.
The luxury wooden presentation case with viewing window
Just 450 to be issued
With such a complicated and time-consuming minting process, this coin was destined to have a low edition limit. But with just 450 to be struck, it seems it is likely to be one of the most sought-after Poppy Coins ever.
Each coin is carefully placed into a luxury wooden Presentation Case with a viewing window to protect it – befitting the ‘masterpiece’ status.
It is especially poignant that this coin has been issued in 2016 – the centenary of The Battle of The Somme. Suffice to say, this new coin would be at home as the centrepiece of any collection – or just a standalone tribute to those who have served and are serving now.
Available now – with a donation for the Legion…
The 2016 Masterpiece 50z Silver Proof Poppy Coin is available to own right now from The Westminster Collection, although they are expected to sell out quickly as first editions like this are always sought after.
To further support the work of The Royal British Legion, The Westminster Collection have organised for a donation of £49.50 from the sale of each coin to go directly to the charity, helping them to continue to provide financial, social and emotional support to all who have served and are currently serving in the British Armed Forces and their families.
The 2016 Masterpiece Silver 5oz Poppy Coin shown to scale against a 10p piece
If you’re interested…
You can add The 2016 Masterpiece 5oz Silver Proof Poppy Coin to your collection today – click here for details.
A donation of £49.50 from the sale of each coin will go directly to The Royal British Legion.