Posts Tagged ‘Coin Collecting’
Witness a Historic Royal First by the Sovereign!
The brand-new UK 2024 Sovereign has just been revealed by the Royal Mint.
But what is the Sovereign?
When it comes to coins, few carry the weight of history and prestige quite like the Sovereign. From its humble beginnings in the late 15th century to its role as a symbol of British monetary stability and the grandeur of the British Empire, the story of the Sovereign coin is a fascinating journey through time. Join us as we explore the captivating history of this iconic gold coin in the video below.
The Birth of a Regal Coin:
The story of the Sovereign coin begins in 1489 during the reign of King Henry VII. This remarkable coin was aptly named the “Sovereign” and carried a face value of one pound. It featured a regal portrait of the reigning monarch on one side and the royal coat of arms on the other. This early version of the Sovereign set the stage for the coin’s enduring legacy.
The Tudor Period and Fluctuating Fortunes:
During the Tudor period, the Sovereign coin went through a series of changes in size and design. It was minted under various monarchs and experienced periods of discontinuation and revival, reflecting the turbulent political and economic landscape of the time.
The Great Recoinage of 1816:
The real turning point in the history of the Sovereign coin came during the reign of King George III. In 1816, a momentous event known as the Great Recoinage took place in the United Kingdom. It was here that the Sovereign received its iconic design featuring St. George slaying the dragon, a masterful creation by the Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci. This marked the resurgence of the Sovereign as a symbol of British monetary stability and the reach of the British Empire.
A Star in the Gold Standard:
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the British Sovereign played a starring role in the international gold standard. Under this system, currencies were linked to a fixed quantity of gold, and Sovereigns were internationally recognised and accepted. They were both a symbol of British power and a vehicle for international trade.
The End of an Era:
The golden age of the Sovereign coin gradually faded with the dawn of the 20th century. The upheaval of World War I and the changing global economic landscape saw the United Kingdom officially abandon the gold standard in 1931. Gold coins, including the Sovereign, ceased to circulate.
A Collector’s Treasure:
Though no longer in everyday use, the Sovereign coin remains a beloved and coveted item among collectors and investors alike. The Royal Mint continues to produce gold Sovereigns in various designs and sizes, making it a timeless piece of numismatic history.
This years production of the 2024 Sovereign combines Pistrucci’s timeless design with the official coinage portrait of King Charles III, meticulously created by Martin Jennings, for the first time ever.
BRAND-NEW UK Snowman™ 50p released!
Today, the Royal Mint have launched their brand-new SnowmanTM 50p coin, just in time for Christmas.
It’s safe to say this coin is destined for sell-outs, given that in the last five years EVERY edition has sold out in record time.
Read on to find out more about this year’s designs, and those tiny edition limits…
Designed by Robin Shaw
This years design features ‘The Boy’, James, and the Snowman dancing in a snowy forest in front of the Northern Lights.
It has been carefully illustrated by Robin Shaw, a renowned animator who has famously produced all of the images that have appeared on the Snowman UK 50p coins. The design is especially eye-catching in Silver, due to the advance colour-application that brings the Northern Lights to life.
Although the design may be stunning , it’s the edition limits that will be catching the eye of collectors…
Sell-outs expected…
The limited-edition Silver Proof coin has an edition limit of just 5,000.
To put that into context, the 2018 SnowmanTM Silver 50p sold out an edition limit of 15,000.
That means this year’s coin is three times as limited. When you think about it, should every collector who secured the first coin want this latest release, we are already 10,000 short.
And that’s not all, the Gold Proof coin has had a drastic edition limit cut from 300 coins last year, to a minute 100. Again, this coin has sold-out year on year and the small numbers wont be enough to satisfy demand.
How to secure yours
This UK 50p coin is available in three specifications: Gold Proof, Colour-Printed Silver Proof, and Brilliant Uncirculated Quality. A specification for every collector. Click here to secure the perfect christmas present before it’s too late >
Selling Out BEFORE Christmas: The Father Christmas 50ps in Every Collector’s Stocking
Christmas is just round the corner, and before you know it, you’ll be singing Jingle Bells, drinking mulled wine and digging your way through boxes and boxes of chocolates.
But, what else does that mean most importantly?
A whole selection of Christmas 50ps!
FIVE brand new Father Christmas 50p coins have just been issued by Jersey for Christmas 2023. Take a look at the video below…
Collectors have been rushing to secure their favourite specifications and Christmas coin releases notoriously have sold out way in advance of Christmas in previous years.
So if we’ve put you in the festive mood, click here to view our whole range >>
PLEASE NOTE: The Father Christmas Colour BU 50p Set is already SOLD OUT.
The Father Christmas BU 50p Set
Beautifully made up of each of the brand new Father Christmas 50ps, this set arrives in a bespoke festive presentation pack. It’s one of the only ways to own all five of these coins as a complete set.
Each 50p has been struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated Quality. So whether for family, a fellow collector, or as an early Christmas gift to yourself – this is a MUST-HAVE set.
The Father Christmas Silver Proof 50p Set
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a Silver Proof 50p set.
Each 50p design has been brought to life through vivid colour printing in this set, standing out with a stunning Proof Finish.
The set arrives in a deluxe Presentation Case, alongside an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity. With just 500 sets available worldwide, this is a rare gift giving opportunity.
The Father Christmas BU 50p Christmas Cards
The perfect Christmas card to give to family and friends.
This Brilliant Uncirculated 50p coin arrives safely encapsulated in a winter scene Christmas card, ready for you to fill with your own personalised message.
Available in non-colour and colour!
Click here to secure your colour BU 50p card >>
Click here to secure your non-colour BU 50p card >>
The Father Christmas Mint Masters Set
What makes this 50p set so special?
Consisting of TEN brand new 50p coins, the Mint Masters set features the Silver Proof Colour and a Mint Masters EXCLUSIVE – the non-colour Silver Proof 50ps paired with them.
Only 100 collectors will be able to say they own both of these stunning Silver sets in a deluxe wooden presentation case, also arriving with a signed Christmas card by the artist responsible for your Father Christmas 50p designs, David Young.
Click here to find out more >>
Remember, you can also view the whole range by clicking here >>