Posts Tagged ‘coin collection’
BRAND NEW: The Gruffalo’s Child 50p Coin
The Gruffalo, a tale that has captivated children and adults alike since its release in 1999, has become an iconic piece of children’s literature. Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, this story of a clever mouse outwitting a host of woodland creatures, including the fearsome Gruffalo, has sold an astounding 13.5 million copies worldwide. Its whimsical charm and memorable characters have made it a timeless favourite, leading to adaptations and a lasting legacy that continues to inspire new generations.
The First Gruffalo 50p: A Collector’s Dream
To mark the 20th anniversary of this beloved tale, The Royal Mint released a commemorative 50p coin in February 2019, featuring none other than the Gruffalo himself. The design, created by Magic Light Pictures, perfectly captured the mischievous smirk and distinctive features of the Gruffalo, bringing the character to life in a new and exciting way.
The release of this coin sparked unprecedented excitement across the UK. Collectors, both young and old, eagerly sought to add the Gruffalo 50p to their collections. In fact, the demand was so high that more than 239,000 Brilliant Uncirculated 50ps were sold, and all 25,000 Silver Proof Gruffalo coins were snapped up in record time. It became the fastest selling Silver 50p in history with a coin selling every two seconds!
The Gruffalo and Mouse 50p: The Story Continues
Building on the success of the first coin, The Royal Mint issued a second Gruffalo 50p in October 2019. This time, the design featured the Gruffalo alongside the cunning little mouse, capturing a key moment from the story. The contrast between the imposing Gruffalo and the small but brave mouse was beautifully depicted, making this coin another must-have for collectors.
Anticipation for this release had been building ever since The Royal Mint teased a second Gruffalo coin earlier in the year. Speculation abounded about which character might be featured, with fans eagerly debating the possibilities. When the design was finally unveiled, it was met with overwhelming approval, and, like its predecessor, it quickly sold out, leaving many collectors clamouring for more.
The Gruffalo’s Child 50p: A New Chapter
Now, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Gruffalo’s Child, another classic in the series, The Royal Mint has once again delighted fans with a new 50p coin. This tale of the Gruffalo’s curious child venturing into the woods has become a beloved story in its own right, creating memories for a new generation of readers.
The 2024 UK 50p coin dedicated to The Gruffalo’s Child features faithfully remastered artwork by The Royal Mint’s Emma Noble. Available in Brilliant Uncirculated Colour and Silver Proof Colour, this coin is a perfect keepsake for fans of the Gruffalo series.
This brand-new 50p coin celebrates the enchanting legacy of The Gruffalo’s Child. With its engaging packaging and official Gruffalo artwork, this release is sure to become a treasured item for collectors and fans alike.
Don’t Miss Out!
Given the popularity of the previous Gruffalo coins, this latest release is sure to be highly sought after. If history is any guide, these coins won’t be around for long. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of this enchanting story—make sure to secure your Gruffalo’s Child 50p coin before it’s too late!
My Unforgettable Day with the Red Arrows
Written by Jonathan Patterson.
I’ve always been captivated by the Red Arrows, and the chance to see them up close at RAF Waddington was a dream come true.
Our day began in the early morning as we arrived at the base, passing through tight security checks with a sense of mounting excitement. We eagerly awaited our Red Arrows escort, who would take us to the heart of their operations.
As soon as we stepped off the Red Arrows mini-bus, the deafening roar of jet engines filled the air. We hurried to the viewing point only metres away from the runway, as the Red Arrows formed up and took off in a stunning, orchestrated formation.
For the next 20-30 minutes, the Red Arrows captivated us with their brand-new display for their 60th Diamond Season. Their daring barrel rolls, incredibly close manoeuvres, and crowd favourites like the Tornado left us in awe. The nine Hawk Jets flew overhead in an awe-inspiring sight, the thunderous noise was incredible. Starting with Red 1, each jet gracefully peeled away to land, marking the end of an unforgettable performance.
In need of a moment to absorb the experience, we decided to grab a cup of coffee. Within five minutes, a group of officers entered, with distinct marks around their ears from wearing some sort of helmets. It was then that I realised these were the Red Arrows pilots themselves, casually grabbing their coffees in their Red Arrows mugs. I was in complete awe of these men, who moments ago were hurtling through the clouds at over 500 mph.
Our RAF contact informed us that we only had a few minutes before debrief with the pilots. Led by Red One, Jon Bond, the meeting was a fascinating insight into their meticulous process. Each pilot critiqued their performance, highlighting areas for improvement and discussing how to perfect their manoeuvres for the next sortie that day. I was amazed to learn that the Red Arrows conduct these sorties and debriefs three times a day, every day, to ensure their displays are flawless and maintain their public display authority.
Next, we had the privilege of meeting and interviewing Red 10, Graeme Muscat. He shared insights about the Red Arrows, their intense manoeuvres, their strong focus on teamwork, and how they are a beacon for Great Britain, flying the red, white, and blue all over the world.
We were incredibly excited to show Graeme the brand-new 50p coins specially made to celebrate the 60th Diamond Season of the Red Arrows. His elation was clear as he smiled and said, “I think it’s amazing… I can keep that one, right?”
Our day with the Red Arrows was nothing short of extraordinary. From witnessing their breath-taking display to meeting the pilots and learning about their dedication, it was an experience that left us deeply inspired. The Red Arrows continue to be a symbol of excellence, teamwork, and pride for Great Britain.
To commemorate this special occasion, a brand-new coin range has been released to celebrate 60 years of the Red Arrows.
>>> Click here to explore the complete Red Arrows 60th Anniversary Diamond Season coin range <<<
The Gold Pennies being parachuted out of an original WWII Dakota
2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal moment in history that heralded the beginning of the end of World War II.
To honour this momentous occasion, an extraordinary event is being held at North Weald Airfield in Essex, UK. From Friday 31st May to 2nd June, visitors will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in history with a variety of activities and a special highlight for the Westminster Collection – the PARACHUTING of the D-Day 80th Anniversary Gold Penny First Strike Edition….
Step Back in Time: The D-Day Commemoration Event
Imagine stepping onto a bustling airfield, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the 1940s. The North Weald Airfield event promises an authentic World War II experience, featuring a fleet of historic Dakotas and other period aircraft. These iconic planes, vital to the success of many Allied campaigns, particularly during the D-Day invasion, will be on full display. The C-47s, affectionately known in British service as Dakotas, were instrumental in dropping over 50,000 paratroopers behind enemy lines during the first days of the invasion.
Over the three days, visitors can tour these legendary aircraft, meet the dedicated crews who preserve their history, and delve deep into the stories that these metal birds carry. The re-enactments will give a glimpse into the life of a WWII soldier, and the paratroopers will be able to be observed preparing for their jumps, and the historic sight of the WWII aircraft taking to the skies.
The Gold Pennies taking a journey of their own…
And adding huge excitement for collectors is the release and parachuting of the limited-edition D-Day 80th Anniversary 9 Carat Gold Pennies.
A limited edition run of just 995 solid gold pennies are being struck to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and we have been able to secure the first 250 of these to be struck for a mission of their own – to be flown and parachuted on a special 80th anniversary flight.
That’s right, this means these 250 Gold Pennies are not only a FIRST STRIKE edition, but flown in and parachuted out of an original WWII Dakota aircraft.
They will be sent on a mission over to Carentan in Normandy, mirroring the daring jumps made by Allied soldiers 80 years ago. Once over Carentan and carrying the coins in their uniforms, the team of ex-military parachutists will make an historic jump, re-enacting the jumps made by thousands of allied soldiers on D-Day.
Each coin, once landed, will be carefully collected, housed in a tamper-proof capsule, and placed in a deluxe presentation case, complete with a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its historic journey.
About the ’Dakota’ aircraft
The Douglas C-47 Dakota played a pivotal role in the success of numerous Allied operations during World War II, cementing its place in aviation and military history. Known as the “gooney bird” by those who flew and maintained it, the C-47 was a military adaptation of the DC-3, an aircraft that had already revolutionised commercial air travel.
The Dakota’s significance extends beyond its robust design and reliability; it was the backbone of the Allied air transport fleets. In Europe, the C-47 and a specialised paratroop variant, the C-53 Skytrooper, were used in vast numbers in the later stages of the war, particularly to tow gliders and drop paratroopers. More than 50,000 paratroopers were dropped by C-47s during the first few days of the D-Day campaign in June 1944. The Dakota’s versatility was unmatched; it served in roles ranging from medical evacuation and cargo transport to paratrooper drops and even as makeshift bombers.
The Dakota’s contribution to the war effort and its lasting legacy in both military and civilian aviation make it one of the most celebrated aircraft in history.
Join us in remembering the heroes of D-Day with this special release
Owning one of these rare gold pennies is more than just acquiring a collectible. This is a unique opportunity to own a part of history, captured in 9-carat gold, and approved by Buckingham Palace and His Majesty the King.
If you’re interested in securing this highly significant release, you’ll have to act fast. Remember, only 250 First Strike Parachuted Editions are available for a small group of collectors.