Celebrating 200 Years of Bravery at Sea: The New UK 2024 RNLI 50p Coin

The 2024 UK RNLI 50p has just been released, and it’s set to be a standout issue this year.  

Given the RNLI’s revered status and the coin’s unique design, it’s going to be highly sought after by collectors. 

We already know this coin is going to be incredibly popular. How? Just look at the engagement it received when we revealed it as part of the Annual Set this year. 

UK RNLI 50p Coin 2024 Social image 1024x585 - Celebrating 200 Years of Bravery at Sea: The New UK 2024 RNLI 50p Coin

Click here to secure your 2024 UK RNLI 50p

So why has this UK 50p coin been released? 

The United Kingdom celebrates a significant milestone in maritime history with the release of a special commemorative coin. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), renowned for its heroic lifesaving efforts, marks its 200th anniversary with a dedicated 50p coin. This release is a tribute to the bravery and dedication of RNLI volunteers over two centuries. 

The 50p design

Click on the flashing points in the interactive image below to discover more about the designs and specifications.

See the full UK 2024 RNLI 50p Range

The coin’s reverse, designed by John Bergdahl, features a striking depiction of the RNLI flag, gracefully encircled by a lifebuoy. The inscription “200 YEARS” and the dates “1824 – 2024” honour the bicentennial of the RNLI. 

The obverse showcases the 1st portrait of King Charles III by Martin Jennings, surrounded by the inscription “CHARLES III • D • G • REX F • D • 50 PENCE • 2024 •”.  

Lifeboat.17 31.underway.arp  1024x585 - Celebrating 200 Years of Bravery at Sea: The New UK 2024 RNLI 50p Coin
Did you know that the RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations and more than 240 lifeguard units across the UK and Ireland? This incredible network ensures that help is never too far away for those in need at sea.
Image: Arpingstone, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

History of the RNLI 

Since its inception in 1824, the RNLI has played a pivotal role in maritime rescue operations around the coasts of the UK and Ireland. Founded by Sir William Hillary, the RNLI was established out of a necessity to provide a dedicated lifesaving service, which was notably absent despite the high frequency of shipwrecks around the British Isles. The RNLI’s foundation marked the beginning of a noble mission to save lives at sea, a mission that has continued unwaveringly for nearly two centuries. As a charity funded primarily through donations, it has been instrumental in saving over 140,000 lives, thanks to the valour of its volunteers. 

old lifeboat story 1024x381 - Celebrating 200 Years of Bravery at Sea: The New UK 2024 RNLI 50p Coin
Left: St. Anne’s Lifeboat Crew 1894
Right: Launching a lifeboat from the out-of-copyright book ‘English Illustrated Magazine’ published in 1886.

Given the popularity of the RNLI combined with the popularity of the UK 50p coins, it is certain our stocks will not last long. 

Writer’s Choice

The RNLI 50p range includes a variety of different specifications, including the Brilliant Uncirculated 50p, the Silver Proof Colour 50p, and the Gold Proof 50p.

But there is one that stands out of them all and has been selected as the ‘Writer’s Choice’… The RNLI Silver Proof Piedfort 50p.

And the reason is: the edition limit.

RNL1 blog image 1024x660 - Celebrating 200 Years of Bravery at Sea: The New UK 2024 RNLI 50p Coin

The UK 2024 RNLI Silver Proof Piedfort 50p – double the thickness, double the weight of a standard 50p – has an edition limit of JUST 1,824. It is over two times more limited than its standard silver counterpart.

50p coins are already the favourites amongst collectors. Now add Silver Proof, Piedfort, colour AND a remarkably low edition limit to it and it becomes a must-have.

Click here now to secure your RNLI Silver Proof Piedfort 50p, and to explore the full UK 2024 RNLI 50p range, with prices starting from as low as £5.99 (+p&p). 

range image 2 1024x528 - Celebrating 200 Years of Bravery at Sea: The New UK 2024 RNLI 50p Coin

A history of sought-after Harry Potter collectables

The UK’s FIRST Harry Potter 50p is now available, and it features a special lenticular element. In this blog, I’ll tell you why Harry Potter collectables are some of the most sought-after out there…

The stories of Harry Potter are among some of the most-popular in the world.

In fact, more than 500 million copies of the Harry Potter books have sold worldwide!

Around the world, Harry Potter themed collectables and memorabilia are extremely popular with collectors and fans alike.

Particularly, first editions of Harry Potter collectables, or those with unique features are particularly in-demand.

Considering the brand new Harry Potter 50p is both a UK FIRST and it includes a special lenticular feature, it will surely follow in some HUGE footsteps. But, how much have previous Harry Potter collectables sold for on the secondary market?

Sought-after Harry Potter collectables

Let’s take a look at some Harry Potter memorabilia that has fetched HUGE sums on secondary market sites….

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a fictional book mentioned in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and it was brought to life when JK Rowling hand-wrote and self-illustrated 7 copies of the book.

image 1 - A history of sought-after Harry Potter collectables
Handwritten copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard
Credit: Good Housekeeping

All 7 copies were bound in Moroccan leather and decorated with silver ornaments and semi precious stones. These books are incredibly rare with only 7 in existence.

Subsequently, one sold at auction for £1.95 million, a world record for a modern manuscript!

This is a key example of how edition limits can drive up demand for collectable items.

Considering the strict worldwide edition limits of the precious metal Harry Potter 50p coins, we don’t expect these to be available for long…

Browse the range here >>

Chocolate Frog Trading Cards

The Gold Albus Dumbledore Trading cards, available in the Harry Potter Chocolate Frogs, were previously been listed on eBay for over $900!

These cards are especially in demand as they are only available from Universal Studios in Japan and feature a special lenticular design.

image 3 1024x1024 - A history of sought-after Harry Potter collectables
Universal Studios Japan Albus Dumbledore Chocolate Frog Trading Card
Credit: eBay

Like the Albus Dumbledore Trading Card, the UK’s FIRST Harry Potter 50p excitingly also features a unique lenticular feature.

HP Lenticular Feature Even Smaller - A history of sought-after Harry Potter collectables
The 2022 UK Harry Potter Lenticular Feature on the 50p design.

Evidently, Harry Potter themed collectables with strict edition limits and unique features can be worth a small fortune.

And, with recent UK 50p launches selling out at The Royal Mint in limited edition presentations, including the recently issued BBC 50p, this brand new coin is sure to be a hit with collectors.

So, don’t hesitate in adding the UK’s first Harry Potter 50p to your collection.

Browse the range here >>

AT HP TWC Change Checker 50p Release Images V3 4 - A history of sought-after Harry Potter collectables

UK 50p inspired by Jim Kay’s illustrations of Harry Potter

A brand new collection of UK 50p coins is now available, celebrating 25 years since the first publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

harry potter 50p pga and pg4 7 - UK 50p inspired by Jim Kay’s illustrations of Harry Potter

Since 1997, more than half a billion Harry Potter books have been sold. That means one in fifteen people in the world owns a Harry Potter book.

25 years on, the Harry Potter books continue to evolve. Most significantly, with newer illustrations by renowned artists, like Jim Kay.

Bringing magic to the page

Jim Kay is thought to have worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week on his reimagined illustrations of Harry Potter and the Wizarding World.

The Boy Who Lived 1024x1024 - UK 50p inspired by Jim Kay’s illustrations of Harry Potter
Chapter One of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in the 2015 illustrated edition by Bloomsbury and Jim Kay. Reads: ‘CHAPTER ONE – THE BOY WHO LIVED’

Jim Kay is the star of Bloomsbury’s latest editions and his illustrations can be seen in books 1-5.

MicrosoftTeams image 3 1024x830 - UK 50p inspired by Jim Kay’s illustrations of Harry Potter
Harry Potter Hardback Book Collection by Bloomsbury, illustrated by Jim Kay.
From left to right: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Goblet of Fire and The Order of the Phoenix.

Speaking to The British Library, Kay said the commission of all seven illustrated Harry Potter books is the “most frightening” an artist could get.

When creating his illustrations for these books, Kay describes wanting to “give people something to discover on each reading”.

His illustrations take inspiration from museums, libraries, National Trust properties, and everything in between.

Drawing the Boy Who Lived

AT Harry Potter Silver Proof 50p Reveal Images TWC 14 1024x1024 - UK 50p inspired by Jim Kay’s illustrations of Harry Potter
2022 UK Harry Potter 50p reverse design, with Jim Kay’s illustration of the Boy Who Lived.

Jim Kay admits that the hardest thing to visualise in the whole project is Harry himself.

Sticking to the origins of the famous character, his drawings of the Boy Who Lived show a young boy, with as he describes, “an unusual face”.

2022 UK Harry Potter 50p

Jim Kay says seeing his illustrations on large scale print still fills him with fear. But, we’re sure he is delighted to see his drawings brought to life on the UK 50p for the first time.

The brand new collection of 50p coins is made up of four coins, starting with Harry Potter..

The first coin in the series is now available to order, with the remaining coins also available to pre-order.

Click here to add the Harry Potter 50p to your collection >>