New Issues
Revealed: The Royal Mint UK commemorative coin designs for 2018
Each year, The Royal Mint marks important British anniversaries, events or accomplishments on our coins and today we are delighted to reveal the UK’s new coin designs for 2018.
Scroll down to take a first look – I can assure you that you will not be disappointed!
Representation of the People Act 50p
Representation of the People Act 50p by Stephen Taylor
This 50p celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Representation of the People Act, which allowed all men over the age of 21 and women over the age of 30 the right to vote. Arguably one of the most significant Acts in modern British history, it laid the foundation for equality and democratic freedom that the UK has today. The stunning design features a detailed image of five figures in glorious celebration.
First World War Armistice £2
World War One Armistice £2 designed by Stephen Raw
2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the First World War Armistice, concluding four years of bloody and gruelling combat, the like of which had never been seen before. ‘On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month’ the guns fell silent on the Western Front, a victory for the Allies but at a cost of over nine million soldiers’ lives. The words ‘the truth untold the pity of war’ are engraved on the reverse of this coin.
Royal Air Force Centenary £2
The Royal Air Force Centenary £2 by Rhys Morgan
This coin marks the 100th anniversary of the formation of the RAF. It is the oldest independent air force in the world. Involved in critical missions throughout every decade and confrontation, the RAF have protected Britain’s skies since its inception and were integral to the victories in WWI and WWII. The iconic design on this £2 coin shows the iconic RAF Badge.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein £2
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein by Thomas Docherty
This £2 coin pays tribute to Mary Shelley, marking the 200th anniversary of the publication of her most famous gothic novel ‘Frankenstein’. There’s no other iconic character in Horror than that of Frankenstein’s monster! It can be regarded as the first sci-fi novel ever written. The engraving, ‘The Modern Prometheus’ on this £2 coin, is a reference to the classical myth for which this story draws parallels with.
The 5th Birthday of HRH Prince George £5
HRH Prince George’s 5th Birthday £5 coin by Jody Clark
This coin celebrates the 5th birthday of His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. Born on the 22nd July 2013, Prince George is the first born to their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and third in line to the throne. Over the past five years, from his birthdays to his first day of School, we have seen him grow into a charismatic young prince, winning a space in all the nation’s hearts. This beautiful traditional design features St George atop his stallion slaying the fire breathing Dragon.
All of these designs are stunning and there’s no doubt that these coins will only become more desirable in the years to come. I’m sure you already have your favourites, let us know in the comments!
If you’re interested…
You can secure the brand new 2018 coins in the limited edition DateStamp™ UK Specimen Year Set. Each of the new coins have been struck to Brilliant Uncirculated quality and encapsulated alongside a 1st Class Stamp which has been officially postmarked by Royal Mail with their first day of issue – 1st January 2018.
Why you have just days to secure the new 2018 Gold Proof Sovereign
The UK 2018 Gold Proof Sovereign
The new 2018 Proof Sovereign has been released today, but you may only have days to own one. Let me tell you why…
We’re in the golden age of the Proof Sovereign. In 2017, the UK Proof Sovereign, issued to mark 200 years of the Sovereign, sold out at The Royal Mint in just 4 weeks, and in July, this year, the entire mintage of Piedfort Sovereigns sold out on its FIRST DAY of issue.
First ever one-year-only mintmark
First ever one-year-only mintmark
Next year Her Majesty the Queen will celebrate the 65th anniversary of her coronation, becoming the first British monarch ever to do so. So to mark the anniversary, the Proof Sovereign features a special one-year-only mintmark for the very first time.
One-year-only mintmarks are only applied to coins for the most significant events and anniversaries and this is certainly an important one. In fact, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see a Royal anniversary as significant as this in our lifetimes.
22 Carat Gold Pedigree
The 2018 Sovereign is minted from 22 Carat Gold and it is this historical pedigree that makes the coin so admired and sought-after around the world.
It is also one of the finest examples of British craftsmanship. The exceptional ‘proof’ finish is the result of the coin being struck up to 4 times using specially polished dies.
The time and effort required to produce the frosted relief and mirrored background of the coin is why a proof finish is considered the pinnacle of the mint-masters art – and the most sought-after by collectors.
And with an edition limit of just 10,500 worldwide – the same edition limit as last year’s sell-out Proof Sovereign – the 2018 Gold Proof Sovereign has all the elements to be the most collectable gold coin of the year.
The UK 2018 Gold Proof Sovereign
If you’re interested…
You can secure the 2018 Gold Proof Sovereign now, but you’ll have to act quickly.
Click here to find out how you can secure one today with an initial deposit of just £49.50 >>
Just released: The Masterpiece Poppy Coin that’s almost TWICE AS LIMITED as last year’s issue…
Last year an important milestone was reached; over £500,000 was raised, through sales of Poppy coins, for The Royal British Legion. To mark this incredible milestone, 450 very special Masterpiece Poppy Coins were released.
This year, collectors of the annual poppy coins, have helped raise that total to an incredible £700,000 for The Royal British Legion to provide lifelong support for the Armed Forces community – serving men and women, veterans, and their families.
The 2017 Masterpiece Silver 5oz Poppy Coin
To mark this new milestone, and the start of The Royal British Legion’s 2017 Poppy Appeal, a 2017 Masterpiece Poppy has been authorised which is even more limited than last year’s issue.
Just 250 to be issued
With a strict edition limit of just 250 pieces this makes the 2017 Masterpiece Coin almost twice as limited as the 2016 Masterpiece issue.
And it is called a masterpiece for a reason. Using cutting edge minting techniques and specialist craftsmanship, the instantly recognisable red Poppy veritably bursts to life from the face of the coin.
As well as the stunning enamel, the 2017 Masterpiece Poppy Coin also has an incredible ultra-high relief, 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 coloured enamel is applied to give the coin its famous red Poppy – a perfect fit for a coin officially issued in support of The Royal British Legion.
Each coin is heated to a precise temperature while the enamel colour is prepared. The enamel is applied expertly by hand and heated in between each application to ensure a smooth finish. The end result is astonishing and defines the essence of the Masterpiece.
Available now – with a donation to the Legion…
The luxury wooden presentation case with viewing window
The 2017 Masterpiece 5oz Silver Proof Poppy Coin is available to own right now from The Westminster Collection, although they are expected to sell out quickly as they are almost twice as limited as last year’s issue.
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 2017 Masterpiece Silver 5oz Poppy Coin shown to scale against a 10p piece
If you’re interested…
You can add The 2017 Masterpiece 5oz Silver Proof Poppy Coin to your collection today – click here for details.
A donation of £49.80 from the sale of each coin will go directly to The Royal British Legion.