British History
The Magic of the Snowman™ Returns: A Look at the New 2024 Snowman 50p Coin
For collectors and fans of Christmas nostalgia, the annual release of The Snowman™ 50p coin has become a festive tradition in its own right. Since the first coin debuted in 2018, the Royal Mint has celebrated the timeless charm of Raymond Briggs’ classic tale by bringing this beloved character to life in beautifully crafted designs. Let’s take a brief journey through the history of these iconic coins before unveiling the latest 2024 edition!
A Walk Through Past Designs
The Snowman™ 50p series began in 2018, and since then, each year has introduced a fresh design, capturing the spirit of the heartwarming story. Some of the notable previous designs include:
- 2018: The debut coin depicted The Snowman™ flying through the snow speckled sky, hand in hand with his awe-struck companion, James.
- 2019: This coin features The Snowman™ and James, the hero of the story standing in a beautiful snowy landscape.
- 2020: The 2020 design features The Snowman™, in a green hat, smiling while he hugs James tightly.
- 2021: Another wonderful depiction where James draws a smile on The Snowman’s™ face, taken from a scene in the original tale.
- 2022: We saw a beloved new character featured on the design, The Snowman™ and The Snowdog, the sequel to The Snowman™, based on Raymond Briggs’ classic Christmas story.
- 2023: The 2023 coin showcased a festive design, featuring James and his frosty friend – dancing beneath the magical Northern Lights.
Introducing the 2024 Snowman™ 50p Coin
Now, in 2024, the magic of The Snowman™ returns once more with a fresh new design that’s sure to capture hearts. This year’s edition features the beloved Snowman placing a star on the top of the colourful Christmas Tree, and is strictly limited to JUST 7,000. Whether you’ve been collecting since 2018 or are just now starting your The Snowman™ collection, this new coin is a must-have for the holiday season.
As always, the 2024 coin will be highly sought after by collectors, so don’t miss your chance to add it to your collection or gift it to a loved one this Christmas!
Explore the full 2024 UK The Snowman™ 50p coin range today.
Bring home a piece of Christmas magic!
The New UK Rarest 50p Coin – The Salmon 50p
The UK’s coin collecting community is buzzing with excitement following the announcement that the Salmon 50p has officially become the rarest 50p in circulation. This new status is due to its incredibly low mintage figures, making it a highly sought-after coin for collectors across the country.
The Salmon 50p – The New King of Rarity
The Salmon 50p has just dethroned the famous Kew Gardens 50p as the UK’s rarest 50p in circulation! It was revealed that only 200,000 of these coins entered circulation last year—an unprecedented low, marking it as the lowest mintage figure of any UK circulating coin. This rarity makes the Salmon 50p a highly prized addition to any collection, and it’s already generating significant demand among collectors.
The Solution – The UK Coinage Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Set
With the chance of finding this coin in your change being extremely slim, to guarantee owning the UK Brilliant Uncirculated Salmon 50p coin is through the UK Coinage Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Set. Here’s why this set is an essential purchase for collectors:
- Guaranteed Inclusion of the Salmon 50p: The BU set includes the UK Brilliant Uncirculated Salmon 50p coin without the uncertainty of hunting for it in circulation.
- Pristine Brilliant Uncirculated Quality: Each coin is struck to the highest Brilliant Uncirculated standard, ensuring that your Salmon 50p and the other coins in the set are presented in flawless, mint condition—free from any circulation marks.
- Full Range of 2023 Coinage: Alongside the Salmon 50p, the set includes the complete lineup of 2023 coin designs, giving collectors a comprehensive and beautifully presented snapshot of this year’s UK coinage.
- Collector’s Packaging: Housed in an official display pack, the set is designed for both protection and presentation, making it an ideal showcase piece or a perfect gift for fellow collectors.
Why the BU Set is the Ultimate Way to Collect
Given that only 200,000 Salmon 50p coins are in circulation, the likelihood of coming across one is extremely low. For collectors who value both rarity and condition, the UK Coinage BU Set provides the ultimate solution, allowing you to own the Brilliant Uncirculated version of this coin in pristine form.
Don’t Miss Out – Secure Your BU Set Today
To ensure that the Brilliant Uncirculated Salmon 50p coin becomes a part of your collection, secure the UK Coinage BU Set now.
>>> You can explore the full details and place your order here. <<<
Discovering the Iconic Penny Red: A Piece of British History
Few stamps hold as much historical significance and charm as the Penny Red. First issued in 1841, the Penny Red succeeded the world-famous Penny Black, taking its place as the United Kingdom’s standard postage stamp for over three decades. With its distinct red hue and intricate design featuring the effigy of Queen Victoria, the Penny Red became an enduring symbol of Britain’s postal heritage.
The Problem with the Penny Black
Shortly after the Penny Black’s release in 1840, postal officials realised that people could remove the red cancellation marks using water or chemicals, leading to stamp reuse. To solve this, the Rainbow Trials were conducted, testing various inks to find one that couldn’t be removed without damaging the stamp. Black ink proved most effective, but it couldn’t be used on the black background of the Penny Black.
As a result, in 1841, the Penny Black was replaced with the Penny Red, while cancellation marks were changed to black to make them more visible.
While the Penny Red design mirrored its predecessor, the shift to red ink gave it a unique identity. It remained imperforate during its initial release, meaning stamps had to be cut manually from sheets — a detail that makes these early versions particularly sought after by collectors.
The Evolution of British Stamps
During its long tenure, the Penny Red saw several variations, from perforations being introduced in 1854 to changes in the way it was printed and watermarked. It was retired in 1879, and many collectors marvel at the enduring nature of this modest yet historically significant stamp.
For philatelists and history lovers alike, owning a Penny Red offers a tangible connection to the early days of modern postage.
An Exclusive Opportunity: The 1841 Imperforate Penny Red and Victorian Threepence Set
For those looking to own a true piece of British heritage, we are proud to offer the 1841 Imperforate 1d Penny Red and Victorian Threepence Set. This stunning duo combines two Victorian-era icons: the Penny Red and the highly collectable Victorian Threepence coin.
Your Silver coin features the popular ‘Young Head’ portrait by William Wyon – Queen Victoria’s first for coinage.
The 1841 Penny Red in this set hails from the early imperforate editions, offering a true snapshot of philatelic history. Paired with a Victorian Threepence — a coin minted during Queen Victoria’s reign — this collection is an exclusive opportunity to hold two pieces of Victorian legacy in your hands.
Perfect for collectors and history enthusiasts, this set is beautifully presented and makes for a unique gift or addition to any collection. As with all historical items, these pieces are in limited supply, so don’t miss your chance to own a piece of British history.