Posts Tagged ‘new 50p’
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.
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.
Jim Kay is the star of Bloomsbury’s latest editions and his illustrations can be seen in books 1-5.
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
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 >>
JUST ANNOUNCED: The UK’s first Pride 50p!
A brand new 50p is being released by The Royal Mint to mark the 50th anniversary of Pride!
Back in December 2021, The Royal Proclamation announced plans for a Pride 50p, and today the first details of this coin’s release have been revealed — including the design!
The Design
Designed by LGBTQ+ activist Dominique Holmes, this new 50p design features five rainbows — each accompanied with part of the inscription, “PRIDE PROTEST VISIBILITY UNITY EQUALITY”. It’s scheduled for release this summer, coinciding with Pride celebrations across the country.
A Collecting First
Collecting firsts are without a doubt some of the most popular coins released. They become much harder to source in the coming years, often seeing sell-outs across whole ranges! And, as the FIRST ever 50p released in honour of Pride, this coin is likely to be incredibly popular with collectors.
The coin will be available in multiple specifications, including the standard Brilliant Uncirculated and the stunning colour Silver Proof, adding apt depth and vibrancy to the design. For the ultimate collector’s item, it’s also available in Gold Proof too.
High Demand Expected
As well as being the very first UK coin to commemorate Pride, this coin also marks the 50th anniversary of the first UK Pride march, held in London, 1972. Pride in London 2022 will pay tribute to this by retracing the historic 1972 route around London.
Pride in London now attracts a huge crowd, with 1.5 million walking in the 2019 procession, with hundreds of thousands more attending other Pride events across the UK.
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, this year’s Pride events are expected to be more popular than ever — and with so much interest in this year’s events, this UK-first 50p coin is expected to be in high demand.
If you want to ensure you don’t miss out on owning the very first UK Pride 50p, make sure you sign up below for updates on this coin’s release.
The Race is ON! Around the World in 80 Days 50p Collection just released…
In a London based Reform Club, Phileas Fogg, was to place the biggest bet of his life.
Risking £20,000, Fogg and his recently hired valet, Jean Passepartout wagered they could travel the world in 80 days, with thanks to the new railroad in India.
Passing through exotic lands and dangerous locations, they seize whatever transportation is available, whilst racing against the clock.
In 2022, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first publication of Around the World in 80 Days, a brand-new collection of British Isles 50p coins has been issued.
Authorised for release by Guernsey Treasury and fully approved by Her Majesty the Queen, this brand new issue is available in a range of specifications, the race is on to secure these coins for your collection… Click here to secure yours!
Continue reading as we take you on a spectacular visual journey to five exotic destinations that Phileas Fogg travels to in the story, with the help of these brand new 50ps…
The Around the World in 80 Days Coins
London
Leaving behind the Big Smoke, Fogg’s journey begins on a train, bound for Dover and Calais.
Marking the first step in his adventure, this is the only 50p from the collection to be available individually!
With a strict edition limit of JUST 2,000 worldwide for the Special Colour specification, this coin is set to be in high demand with collectors!
Featuring colour printing, this coin has been struck to a Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
Allahabad
During their journey through India, Fogg and Passepartout learn that, contrary to the reports from British press, the new railroad is incomplete.
Required to find their own way to Allahabad to resume the train trip, Fogg purchases an elephant and hires a guide!
This charming scene from the book features on the design of this 50p, which is available as part of the complete collection.
Singapore
Phileas Fogg and Passepartout board a steamer, the Rangoon, bound for Hong Kong.
When they dock in Singapore, Fogg goes for a carriage ride in the country before getting back on board.
This brand new 50p, available in the Around the World in 80 Days 50p Complete Set, shows Fogg in his carriage, with palm trees in the background.
Yokohama
Despite missing the steamboat destined for Yokohama, Fogg manages to find another ship which transports them to their destination.
We can see the ship which Fogg and Passepartout take to Yokohama on the design of this brand new 50p, with selective colour printing bringing the characters to life.
Available in the Around the World in 80 Days Complete Set, this coin can be yours!
San Francisco
Upon arriving in Yokohama, Fogg and Passepartout board a steamer that takes them to San Francisco.
When they arrive, they discover the next leg of their journey will be made by train.
On this 50p coin, we see two Buffaloes, native to North American, and the majestic steam train; the colour printing enhances the billowing clouds coming from its chimney.
Have you read Jules Verne’s famous tale of adventure, misfortune, and unexpected turns? Let us know in the comments below!
With the worldwide popularity of Around the World in 80 Days, spanning across generations, demand for these brand new 50p coins is sure to be high. Click here to view the entire range.
