RELEASED TODAY: OFFICIAL UK STAR WARS™ 50ps
The first UK Star WarsTM coin collection has been released today to celebrate 40 years since the release of Return of the Jedi in 1983.
The Star Wars franchise is a worldwide phenomenon, and despite being the brainchild of American movie maker, George Lucas, the Star Wars franchise has many links to British Heritage and the United Kingdom.
The coins have been specially produced in partnership with The Royal Mint, Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm to create something extremely special for Star Wars’ fans and coin collectors alike.
The first design features none other than R2-D2TM and C-3POTM, with both characters inside the Millennium Falcon, the famous starship that has played a role in some of the greatest victories of the Rebel Alliance and the New Republic.
R2-D2TM and C-3POTM are the first to feature on the four-coin collection, with the other coins in the series also including other iconic duos including, Darth VaderTM and Emperor PalpetineTM, Luke SkywalkerTM and Princess LeiaTM, and Han SoloTM and ChewbaccaTM all with stunning designs that capture the true essence of the films.
Each coin is available in superior Brilliant Uncirculated Quality, or strictly limited Silver Proof Quality.
But it is the Silver coin that is especially unique, featuring the addition of vivid colour. This is a process that allows George Lucas’ iconic duos to be faithfully reproduced as accurately as possible.
What’s more, the silver coin has been limited to just 12,500 worldwide. When you consider the number of coin collectors who will want this 50p coin, alongside the number of Star Wars fans that will too, demand will likely exceed availability.
Finally, each of the coins in the series also has an intricate detail you may have missed – a lenticular feature. When the coin is tilted, two intricate symbols are revealed for Tatooine and the Rebel Alliance Starbird. Not only does this enhance the design, but it is also a favourite amongst coin collectors.
Whether you choose the Brilliant Uncirculated coins, or the Silver Proof version, rest assured all coins have been beautifully packaged as the perfect piece of memorabilia.
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By opting into the Westminster Collection Star Wars Priority Lists, you can automatically receive the next coins in the series without the hassle!
Celebrate Canada Day with the most sought-after Royal Canadian Mint coins!
1st July marks Canada Day. It has been celebrated since 1867 when the country became a self-governing region within the British empire, combining three colonies to create Canada.
So fittingly, you can celebrate with some of the most sought-after coins from The Royal Canadian Mint:
SOLD-OUT at the Mint: 2023 Maple Leaf 1oz Silver Proof Coin
This 1oz Pure Silver coin depicts the iconic Maple Leaf design – and has already sold-out an edition limit of 8,000. But, we have just 41 remaining…
Click here to secure yours before it’s too late >>
SOLD-OUT: Canada 2023 St Edward’s Crown Fine Silver Coin
This is the perfect way to honour the Coronation of King Charles III, with a tribute to the St Edward’s Crown, worn by our new Monarch for the first time in 70 years.
Secure the SOLD-OUT St Edward’s Crown Silver coin here >>>
NO LONGER AVAILABLE: Mercury’s Horned Face Silver Proof Coin
This could be your last chance to secure the unique fossilized Silver coin that’s no longer available from the Royal Canadian Mint!
Click here to learn why you need to secure it for your collection >>
75th Anniversary of VE Day Silver Proof Dollar
As one of Canada’s most sought-after annual releases, this is your second chance to secure the 75th anniversary of VE Day Silver Proof Dollar that’s no longer available at The Mint.
But with only a small number remaining, secure yours here before it’s too late >>
2oz Silver Rippling Canadian Flag with Vivid Colour
The prestigious 2oz Silver Proof coin from The Royal Canadian Mint featuring a coloured depiction of the Canadian flag is the first of its kind.
And excitingly, there are a handful left in stock! Click here to secure yours >>
The day I carried coins on board an Original WWII Lancaster
On 14th June, Ben, our Concept Development Manager, had the opportunity to see the famous RAF Avro Lancaster up close and personal.
Here’s what Ben has to say about his experience retracing the steps of the legendary Dambusters and having the brand new £5 coins carried on board an original WWII Lancaster Bomber…
To mark the 80th anniversary of Operation Chastise – the legendary Dambusters Raid, I wanted to capture some of that history and somehow apply it to some of the superb coins issued for the anniversary.
Following is my story of how our one day in Lincolnshire panned out. A story that makes each of these coins – in my opinion – uniquely collectable. Here’s how it went…
I have come to rural Lincolnshire to a private museum and airstrip at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre in East Kirkby, to take some of the Dambusters 80th Anniversary Coins on a ride of a lifetime.
But before that happened, it was an overnighter in a remarkable hotel, few know about. This part of the English countryside is awash with airfields, aircraft museums and RAF bases.
It was central to RAF and Bomber Command’s missions and in 1944 the skies would have been buzzing with Spitfires, Hurricanes and of course, Lancaster Bombers. And that’s why the hotel I stayed in has some fascinating Dambusters links.
The Petwood Hotel was where Wing Commander Guy Gibson and the hand picked 617 Squadron had billeted during the war.
The squadron bar is now a museum shrine to the history of the squadron featuring artwork, photos and cabinets full of authentic 617 memorabilia. This is the exact room where Guy Gibson would have had a pint with his colleagues, as they discussed their missions past and present.
There is even a genuine prototype Bouncing Bomb in the garden…
It’s a remarkable feeling to know you’re sat at the very bar they did.
After an evening at the bar, it was up bright and early to head to the Lancaster Aviation Heritage Centre. And it was here as I drove through the gates, I got my first glimpse of ‘Just Jane’, one of only FOUR operational Lancaster bombers in the entire world.
Technically known as Avro Lancaster B. VII NX611, she was one of 150 Lancasters built in early 1945 for operations in the Far East.
She’s had a varied history. In the 1970s she stood as the Gate Guardian at RAF Scampton (home of Vulcan bombers and more recently, The Red Arrows) before being sold privately and moved to her current home in 1987. She is now a fantastic piece of aviation history, and the ongoing restoration program means hopefully soon we will see her take to the skies once more.
It was a beautiful sunny day, as I arrived at the airfield early in the morning to get the coins onboard. She was still in her hangar alongside the De Havilland Mosquito and a B25 Mitchell.
Before the Lanc was fired up – the main part of our mission started. We were given permission to board and get the coins securely stashed. This in itself was a privilege, reserved usually for visitors who book the tour and the ride, something that gets booked up a year in advance.
Despite its size, there is not a lot of room inside a Lancaster for boxes of coins!
There’s barely room for people, and only once you are inside do you contemplate how it must have felt when heading on a bombing mission. It’s dark, cramped, and once you are in position, there’s no moving. With the engines running I imagine it is exceptionally loud.
The coins were loaded in with help from the crew who work at the LAHC, and I had a short amount of time to photograph them inside the plane before she was moved outside and prepared for the day’s events.
Then the magic happened.
As the four huge Merlin engines spluttered into life, a deafening roar bellowed across the tarmac, debris flew across the airfield as the wind seemed to pick up as we stood in awe. Lancaster Bomber NX611 made her way along the tarmac and onto the grass airstrip, where the engines kicked up a few notches.
It really is a sight to behold. And there we had it, coins travelling on board a piece of aviation history in the anniversary year of the Lancaster’s most famous moment – adding to their own provenance forever.
As the Lanc returned, the coins having been onboard a few hours, I had a five-minute window between runs to get onboard, remove the coins and stack them up on the airfield.
She had another group of guests to take for a ride. She wasn’t going to wait for us, and I wasn’t going to get in her way. It was a day I shall never forget. And thankfully, these coins now act as a lasting reminder of this epic and historic occasion.
If you’re interested…
Click here to secure your Lancaster NX611 CARRIED Dambusters £5 for JUST £25 (+p&p) >>