The end of an era: The final stamps of Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II has graced UK stamps for 70 years, but now we’re coming to the end of an era; Royal Mail have released their final commemorative stamp issue with the Queen’s silhouette, celebrating the centenary of the world’s most famous locomotive – Flying Scotsman.

So, before we steam ahead towards the BRAND-NEW Flying Scotsman editions, let’s take a look back at Queen Elizabeth II’s iconic 70-year reign in UK postage…

The beginning of Queen Elizabeth II stamps

1953 marked the beginning of Her Majesty’s Reign and the introduction of the Wildings – a series of definitive postage and revenue stamps featuring Dorothy Wilding’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which were used up until 1967.

The first four stamps to be issued within this series were for Her Majesty’s 1953 Coronation, presented in the colours of Carmine-Red, Ultramarine, Deep Yellow-Green and Deep Grey-Blue.

Commemorative stamps were then introduced during the 1950s and early 1960s. However, the Postmaster General, Tony Benn, proposed a new criteria outlining what could appear on them. From 1965, it was decided that all GB stamps had to include a small silhouette of the Queen based on the coinage head of Mary Gillick, which then became the standard.

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Two once-in-a-lifetime tributes

And now, Royal Mail have issued twelve commemorative editions featuring Flying Scotsman.

Not only are they the official UK stamps to mark the centenary of the world’s most famous locomotive, but they will also be the last to show the Queen’s silhouette after 70 years – marking two incredible moments in British history!

These nostalgic editions portray the steam locomotive travelling through North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Berwick-on-Tweed and London’s Victoria Station. Inspired by poster artwork from the 1920s and 1930s, Royal Mail’s spokesman David Gold intends for them to evoke “the golden age of steam travel”.

Your chance to celebrate both!

To pay tribute to such monumental moments in history, a limited-edition coin and stamp cover has been released, comprised of The Royal Mint’s Official UK 2023 Flying Scotsman £2 in Brilliant Uncirculated Quality along with Royal Mail’s BRAND-NEW Flying Scotsman stamps.

But considering these are the last UK stamps to feature Queen Elizabeth II, we are predicting insatiable demand – and we have already seen sell-outs at The Royal Mint for the Flying Scotsman coin range.

All steams ahead! Click here to secure one for your collection now >>

FIVE BRAND NEW Christmas Carol 50p COINS REVEALED

Whether it’s in person or virtually this Christmas, we are ready to start singing from the hymn sheet as one of our favourite times of year approaches. And to make it even better, we can now reveal with great excitement our brand new Christmas Carol 50p Coins!

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The tradition of singing Christmas Carols during the festive period dates back to the 19th century. In fact, it is believed that the Christmas Carol Service was invented in Truro by Edward White Benson, who later became the Archbishop of Canterbury.

These stunning new festive 50p coins celebrate some of the most renowned Christmas carols and I’m sure there are many of us, myself included, with very fond memories of singing carols throughout the festive season.

The FIVE new coins have been issued by Guernsey Treasury and are fully authorised by Her Majesty the Queen. Each feature a specially commissioned design by artist Jo Goodberry (you may remember she designed the incredibly popular Pantomime 50ps last year), including; Away in a Manger, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Little Town of Bethlehem, While Shepherds watched their flocks, and We Three Kings.

So whether you’re looking for the new centrepiece for your collection, you’re an avid 50p collector, or you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one, I’m sure you’ll love these new 50p coins.

Find out more about the different ways you can own these wonderful Christmas Carol 50p Coins below:

The Christmas Carol 50p Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Collection Pack

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FIVE BRAND NEW 50ps have been authorised for release by Guernsey Treasury.

Over the last couple of years, new 50p coins have launched a whole new generation of collectors and so demand for these latest 50ps is expected to be very high. The coins will arrive ready to display in a customised presentation pack. You can secure the complete set of FIVE TODAY for only £30.00!

Click here to secure yours >>

The Limited Edition 2020 Christmas Carol Silver Proof 50p Coin Collection

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Strictly limited to just 2,020 worldwide.

The coins you can see here have all been struck from .925 Solid Silver to a pristine Proof finish and feature selective colour printing. Importantly, this set is one of the only ways you can own all five of these designs. None will be released individually. With an extremely limited worldwide mintage of JUST 2,020 they’re not expected to be available for long.

Click here to secure yours today >>

The 2020 Christmas Carol 50p Christmas Card

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What better way to wish family and friends a very Merry Christmas?

The new Brilliant Uncirculated ‘Hark the Herald’ Christmas 50p is the only coin from the collection to be available on its own within this stunning Christmas card. What better way is there to wish family and friends a very Merry Christmas? Priced at just £7.99 it’s the perfect way to get ahead with your Christmas shopping this year.

Click here to secure yours >>

The Christmas Carol Ultimate 50p Coin Cover

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The most limited way to own these new coins…

The ULTIMATE Stamp and Coin Cover is also available for pre-order. Featuring all five coins in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, this cover has been carefully paired with the elusive 1982 Royal Mail Christmas Carol stamps. These stamps are not easy to get hold of, and only 750 covers are being released worldwide with a postmark on the first day of Advent – 1st December 2020.

Click here to secure yours >>


Prices start from just £7.99 so if you’re interested please click here to see the whole range >>