What if owning a commemorative coin felt less like acquiring a collectible and more like bringing home a specially commissioned work of art?
That was exactly the ambition behind the first-of-its-kind 1kg St. Paul’s Cathedral sculpture coin – a piece that blurs the boundary between numismatics and fine art. A weighty full kilo and struck in extraordinary high relief, the coin captures one of Britain’s most historic landmarks in breathtaking detail.
We sat down with Rudolph Farkas, the renowned artist behind the design to explore the vision, the craftsmanship and the emotion poured into this remarkable piece.
“This Was Never Just a Coin.”
From the outset, the artist was clear: this project demanded more than traditional coin design.
“When you’re working at this scale – a full kilogram – you’re not just designing a coin. You’re creating a sculpture that happens to be round.”
The larger canvas offered something rare in the world of minting: space. Space to explore depth, texture and architectural nuance. Space to treat metal like clay.
“St. Paul’s Cathedral is an architectural masterpiece. To do it justice, I had to think like a sculptor, not just a designer.”
The result is a dramatic three-dimensional rendering of the cathedral’s dome, facade and intricate stonework – each detail carefully considered, each line intentional.
Capturing an Icon
St. Paul’s Cathedral is more than a building; it’s a symbol of resilience, creativity and national identity. Translating that into metal required deep research and an emotional connection.
“I visited the cathedral multiple times, sketchbook in hand. You can’t capture the spirit of a place from photographs alone. You need to stand beneath the dome. You need to feel its scale.”
Rudolph describes studying the play of light across the stone, the rhythm of columns, the commanding presence of the great dome rising above London’s skyline.
“What fascinated me most was the balance – strength and elegance, monumentality and detail. I wanted collectors to feel that same sense of awe when they hold the coin.”
And because this is a sculpture coin – not a flat, traditional strike – the relief brings that awe to life. The dome rises dramatically from the surface, while the foreground architectural elements create real depth and shadow.
The Challenge of Detail
Working in such high relief on a 1kg piece is both a privilege and a technical challenge.
“There’s nowhere to hide at this size. Every window, every column, every curve has to be accurate. At the same time, you have to simplify just enough so the design reads clearly in metal.”
Months of modelling, refining and collaboration with master engravers followed. Digital tools were used, but the artistic judgement remained deeply human.
“Technology helps you execute the vision, but it can’t replace the artistic eye.”
A Limited Edition Work of Art
Because this is a first-of-its-kind 1kg sculpture coin, its mintage is strictly limited. There are fewer than 1,000 pieces commissioned worldwide. And that exclusivity adds to its artistic status.
“In many ways, it’s closer to a limited edition bronze or a gallery sculpture than a circulating coin. Each one represents hours of craftsmanship.”
Collectors often speak about coins as investments or heirlooms. The artist sees something more intimate.
“When someone acquires this piece, they’re not just buying a commemorative coin. They’re investing in an artistic interpretation of St. Paul’s Cathedral – my interpretation. That’s incredibly personal.”
Holding History in Your Hands
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of the coin is its physical presence. A kilogram of metal has weight – literal and symbolic.
“When you hold it, you feel it. It has gravity. That weight reinforces the significance of the cathedral itself – its permanence, its endurance.”
Unlike artwork displayed behind glass, this piece is designed to be held, admired up close, examined from different angles. The shadows shift. The textures reveal themselves.
“I love the idea that collectors will discover new details over time. It rewards close attention.”
More Than a Collectible
So what does it mean to own this coin?
It means owning a limited edition sculpture inspired by one of Britain’s greatest landmarks. It means holding a kilogram of artistry shaped by vision, research and meticulous craftsmanship. It means possessing a first-of-its-kind piece – one that marks a milestone in modern minting.
As the artist reflects:
“If people look at it and see more than a coin – if they see it as a piece of art – then I’ve done my job.”
For collectors, historians and art lovers alike, this 1kg St. Paul’s Cathedral sculpture coin is not merely a commemorative issue. It is a specially commissioned masterpiece – created in limited numbers, and destined to be admired for generations.
Few literary characters have endured quite like Winnie the Pooh.
First introduced by A.A. Milne in 1926, the gentle bear from the Hundred Acre Wood has become far more than a children’s character. For generations, Pooh’s stories have offered simple reflections on friendship, loyalty, kindness and the quiet wisdom found in everyday moments.
Now, 100 years after his debut, The Royal Mint marks this remarkable centenary with a new three-coin UK 50p series honouring one of the most beloved characters in children’s literature.
A Three-Coin Centenary Series
The 2026 collection has been designed as a three-part tribute, with each coin exploring a different theme inspired by the stories that have defined Pooh’s enduring appeal.
The second release, available now, celebrates Loyalty – a defining characteristic of the “silly old bear.”
The First Release – A Celebration of Kindness
Created in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company, the inaugural design features the instantly recognisable Disney-style Winnie the Pooh.
Depicted holding a bouquet of flowers and wearing his iconic red shirt, the scene captures a quiet, thoughtful moment. It is not a grand adventure or a dramatic episode – but something far more fitting. Pooh has always been defined not by heroics, but by gentleness.
In many ways, this choice of theme reflects why the character has remained relevant for a century. Kindness, after all, never goes out of date.
The Second Release – A Celebration of Loyalty
The second coin in the series celebrates the theme of loyalty, a cornerstone of A.A. Milne’s stories.
The design beautifully captures the unbreakable bond between Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh – a friendship built on trust, reassurance and quiet understanding. Whether setting off on an adventure or simply walking side by side, their relationship reflects the steadfast companionship that has resonated with readers for generations.
It’s a fitting tribute to the enduring devotion shared between friends – and to the characters who have remained loyally by our side for a century.
More Stories Still to Come…
Friendship – Available June 2026
Another design will follow later in the year – inspired by potentially the most the timeless value at the heart of the Hundred Acre Wood.
The third design celebrates perhaps the most cherished theme of all – friendship.
Bringing together beloved characters from the Hundred Acre Wood, this coin reflects the warmth and camaraderie that define the world of Pooh. From Tigger’s exuberance to Eeyore’s gentle melancholy, each character adds something unique – reminding us that friendship is about embracing differences and standing together.
For 100 years, these stories have shown that even the smallest acts of friendship can mean the most. This design captures that spirit in a way that feels both nostalgic and timeless.
A Return to the Hundred Acre Wood on UK Coinage
This is not Pooh’s first appearance on a UK 50p.
Winnie the Pooh first appeared on UK coinage in 2020, when The Royal Mint released a nine-coin collection inspired by the original E.H. Shepard illustrations. That series proved exceptionally popular, with Silver Proof editions selling out rapidly and demand remaining strong throughout its three-year release.
Notably, the 2020 Silver Proof 50ps carried an edition limit of 18,000 coins worldwide – and still sold out swiftly following release.
With such a strong collecting history behind it, the 2026 centenary series begins with considerable anticipation – particularly given the lower precious metal mintages for this new release.
A Centenary Celebration
For a century, Winnie the Pooh has offered readers something rare – stories that feel small in scale but vast in emotional resonance.
The 2026 UK 50p series does not attempt to reinvent the character. Instead, it honours what has always made him special.
With the first coin available now and two further designs to follow later this year, the centenary collection begins with a simple message that has carried across generations:
Sometimes, the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.
Available Now – Choose Your Edition
The second coin in the series is available now in a choice of specifications.
This year marks 250 years since the start of the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), one of the most defining conflicts in world history. To commemorate the anniversary, The Royal Mint has released a stunning new coin: The Figureheads of the Revolutionary War 1oz Silver Coin.
For the very first time, the portraits of two men — both named George — who stood on opposite sides of the Revolution now appear together on a UK coin. Their clash not only shaped the outcome of the war but also the world we know today.
The Road to Rebellion
During the American Revolution, 13 American colonies rebelled against Britain after the government introduced unwelcome tax levies and restrictions on the rights and liberties of the colonists.
The British monarch at the time was George III, who would go on to become the longest-reigning king in British history. Fiercely opposed to American independence, he was determined to quash the rebellion and preserve Britain’s reputation as an international power.
George Washington: The General of a New Nation
George Washington at the Battle of Princeton
On the other side stood George Washington, a veteran of the North American campaigns of the Seven Years’ War. In 1775, he was appointed commander of the newly raised Continental Army.
Despite lacking the resources and experience of the British military, Washington’s vital leadership inspired his men to fight on through hardship. The Continental Army secured pivotal victories at Trenton (1776), Princeton (1777), and most crucially, Yorktown (1781) — the battle that forced Britain to surrender.
Not long after resigning his commission to Congress, Washington was unanimously elected as the first President of the United States, cementing his place as one of history’s most significant leaders.
Two Men Who Never Met — But Changed the World
Though George III and George Washington never met, their opposing visions reshaped the course of history. The Revolution ended Britain’s rule in America and began the story of the United States as an independent nation.
Now, their likenesses are brought together on one remarkable coin, symbolising the clash of empires, ideas, and leadership that defined the late 18th century.
The Coin: A Masterpiece of Craftsmanship
The Figureheads of the Revolutionary War 1oz Silver Coin is struck in pure silver to the Royal Mint’s highest Proof standard. Collectors will immediately appreciate the intricate detail of the portraits, which face one another across the coin.
Around them runs a powerful inscription: “Our Lives, Our Fortunes and Our Sacred Honor.”
These words, first pledged by the revolutionaries who risked everything for freedom, serve as a lasting reminder of the human cost and enduring legacy of the Revolutionary War.
For collectors, historians, and anyone with a passion for the story of liberty, empire, and revolution, the Figureheads of the Revolutionary War 1oz Silver Coin is a must-have release.
