Posts Tagged ‘Royal Mint’
Winnie the Pooh’s 100th Birthday Celebrated on a BRAND-NEW UK 50p Coin
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 Kindness, after all, never goes out of date.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.
Click here to view the full range and choose your specification today >>>
The Figureheads of the Revolutionary War 1oz Silver Coin
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
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.
>>> Click here to secure your Figureheads of the Revolutionary War 1oz Silver Coin <<<
350 Years of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich celebrated on a UK £2 coin
Originally released as part of the 2025 Annual Coin Set, the 2025 UK Royal Greenwich Observatory £2 is now available to own individually for the very first time – and it’s bursting with history and symbolism.
Explore the UK Royal Observatory, Greenwich £2 Coin Range >>
Celebrating 350 Years of Innovation and Exploration
In 1675, King Charles II commissioned the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, unknowingly setting in motion centuries of astronomical discovery, navigational breakthroughs and global timekeeping.
Image Credit: DiscoA340, via Wikimedia Commons
Greenwich is where East meets West, and home to the Prime Meridian – an invisible line that runs through the very ground. The Royal Observatory is where Greenwich Mean Time was born, and it’s been guiding explorers, scientists and seafarers ever since.
Now, 350 years on, this iconic institution has been honoured on a UK £2 coin.
A Design Packed with Symbolism
Created by renowned designer Henry Gray, the reverse design of the 2025 Royal Greenwich Observatory £2 is a treasure trove for collectors.
Here’s what you’ll spot:
- The Shepherd Gate Clock – one of the world’s first public displays of Greenwich Mean Time.
- Ursa Minor and Polaris – the constellation and star used for celestial navigation across centuries.
- The Prime Meridian on a globe – marking the division between East and West.
- And along the edge, the words: “PERFECTING THE ART OF NAVIGATION” – a phrase taken from the Observatory’s founding Royal Warrant.
Every detail speaks to the Observatory’s unmatched contribution to science, timekeeping, and navigation.
Watch our video
Deserving of a space in your collection
You can secure the 2025 UK Royal Observatory £2 in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, or for something truly special, it’s also available in Silver Proof and Silver Piedfort.
The Silver Proof version has an edition limit of 1,500, and just 650 of the Silver Piedfort coins are available. Demand for these coins is expected to be high, so don’t hesitate as you may miss out on securing yours!