FIRST LOOK! Brand new UK commemorative coins released for 2020

Each year, The Royal Mint marks important British anniversaries, events or accomplishments on our coins and today I’m delighted to reveal the UK’s new coin designs for 2020.

What’s more, you have the opportunity today to secure them in a variety of different presentations or specifications – I’m sure there is something for everyone.

Simply read on to discover how you can be one of the first UK collectors to add these coins to your collection… 

FIVE new UK commemorative coins

Blog Image 1 cropped if it works better - FIRST LOOK! Brand new UK commemorative coins released for 2020

The Royal Mint has just announced the five new commemorative coins for 2020, issued to mark a variety of occasions and landmark anniversaries that we’ll see over the coming year:

  • King George III £5 – marking the 200th anniversary of the end of King George III’s reign
  • VE Day £2 – commemorating the 75th anniversary of VE day, signalling the end of WWII
  • Agatha Christie £2 – celebrating “100 years of Mystery”, the centenary of her debut mystery novel
  • Mayflower £2 – marking the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s maiden voyage to The New World
  • Team GB 50p – a tribute to Team GB ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games due to be held in Tokyo

UK 2020 Annual Coin Set BU Pack

Blog image 2 - FIRST LOOK! Brand new UK commemorative coins released for 2020

To give as many collectors as possible the chance to own these highly sought-after coins, The Royal Mint has issued them in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, which is coveted by collectors as it means each coin is free from any marks you would find on circulated coins.

In this BU Pack you’ll find the five brand new commemorative coins alongside the eight definitive coins from the 1p to the £2, all newly dated for 2020.

Each one is protectively encapsulated in its attractive original Royal Mint packaging to preserve its quality for generations to come. What’s more, you can secure this BU Pack at the Royal Mint issue price of just £55 (+p&p). Click here to find out more >>

This set of coins is also available as a CERTIFIED BU Commemorative Coin Set for £40 (+p&p). Click here to find out more >>

UK 2020 Annual Collector Proof Coin Set

Blog image 3 - FIRST LOOK! Brand new UK commemorative coins released for 2020

Whilst being struck from base metal, the coins in this set have been struck to a stunning superior Proof finish. This set also includes the five new commemorative coins alongside the eight definitive coins from the 1p to the £2, all newly dated for 2020.

Just 7,000 sets have been released worldwide in this limited edition presentation – that’s under half the edition limit of previous issues that have completely sold out. So, it’s expected this set will be extremely sought-after.

You can order the UK 2020 Annual Collector Proof Coin Set here with a down payment of just £31 (+p&p) followed by 4 further interest-free instalments – that’s the Royal Mint issue price. Click here to find out more >>

UK 2020 DateStamp™ Specimen Set

Blog Image 4 option 1 - FIRST LOOK! Brand new UK commemorative coins released for 2020

The most limited way to own the five new 2020 commemorative coins is by securing the UK 2020 DateStamp™ Specimen Set. In fact, JUST 995 collectors worldwide can own this unique set.

What truly sets the 2020 Specimen Year Set apart from all other 2020 Annual Sets is the fact that it is forever set in time by the official Royal Mail postmark that marks the coins’ first day of release – 1st January 2020.

Each coin is struck to the highly desirable Brilliant Uncirculated quality, and come individually presented in tamper-proof capsules. What’s more, each set has a unique serial number, confirming its place in the tiny edition limit, and you can even register your set online to guarantee its provenance!

This annual set has a track record of completely selling out within a matter of days, so if you want to secure a set for yourself you’ll need to be quick. You can reserve yours with a deposit of just £22. Click here to find out more >>

Titans of British culture – Queen and Bond – to feature on UK coins!

***UPDATE***

Following the Royal Proclamations on the 8th November 2019, The Royal Mint have now confirmed there will be a Music Legends coin series!

This is exciting news for music fans and collectors alike. It’s safe to assume stage legends Queen will be part of this series, but who else would you like to see on a Music Legends coin?

Let us know in the comments below and sign up for updates at the bottom of the blog!

By signing up we’ll make sure you’re the first know any updates about these new coins, including when they’re being launched. So what are you waiting for?


Royal Proclamations issued on 8th November 2019 confirm that two icons of British culture will be honoured next year on UK coins – rock legends of the stage, Queen, and spy of the silver screen, James Bond.  

It is unknown yet exactly when we will be able to snap up these new issues, but we do know the coins will be 2020 dated so we will be on the lookout from the New Year…

“I won’t be a rock star. I will be a legend” – Freddie Mercury

And legends they did become. It’s safe to say renowned rock band Queen have been inspiring millions across the globe since they exploded on to the British music scene in 1970 – you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t recognise the opening rift of Another One Bites the Dust.

Known for hits such as We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody and Don’t Stop Me Now, Queen’s pioneering, creative and alternative approaches to music making proved to the world that music has no bounds. 

Their status as icons in the British music industry was sealed in 1990 when they received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. Following this they were then inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and in 2018 were presented with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

2020 Queen 5 Pound Coin 650x650 1 - Titans of British culture – Queen and Bond – to feature on UK coins!

And now, their lasting legacy is going to be captured on a commemorative UK coin – the first band to ever feature on a UK coin!

The Royal Proclamation confirms there will be various specifications available, including a £5 base metal coin and a variety of precious metal versions. All coins will bear a design depicting a keyboard, drum, bass and electric guitar accompanied by a microphone and the inscription “QUEEN”. What’s more, a special two pound denomination silver coin will feature the edge inscription “MERCURY · MAY · TAYLOR · DEACON ·”

Bond, James Bond

Created by Ian Fleming in 1953, James Bond – or better known by his MI6 codename 007 – will be returning in the hotly-anticipated 25th Bond film that was revealed recently to be called No Time To Die.

The Bond franchise is the longest running film series of all time, grossing nearly $7 billion to date for its production company, Eon. Overall it has grown to become the fourth-highest-grossing film series ever, and has amassed five Academy Awards along the way too.

bond 10p - Titans of British culture – Queen and Bond – to feature on UK coins!
007 previously featured on a 2018 10p as part of The A-Z of Great Britain 10p Coins

The secret agent has been portrayed by seven actors, and is perhaps best known for his suave manner, his penchant for martinis (shaken, not stirred) and the gadgets and cars supplied by Q branch.

Speaking of cars, the Royal Proclamation confirms the design of the Bond coin will feature the 007 logo and a depiction of his car – fingers crossed for a classic Aston Martin!

It also looks like this commemorative Bond coin will be issued in a variety of precious metal specifications. The smallest denomination will be a ten pound silver coin, with an impressive diameter of 65mm to truly appreciate what is sure to be a spectacular design.  


Register your interest

Both Queen and Bond have an unrivalled cult following with leagues of fans worldwide. So, I expect these new commemorative issues to be amongst the most anticipated new issues in 2020, and as such will be in high demand! 

If you want to be kept up to date and be the first to know when these coins are available then simply register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as we have more information.

* indicates required

Smashing News! Wallace and Gromit are coming to The Royal Mint

I hope you’ve got some cheese (Wensleydale anyone?) and crackers to hand to celebrate the news that the iconic British animated duo – Wallace and Gromit – will be coming to The Royal Mint!

Not many details have been revealed yet, though we have our fingers crossed that the plasticine pair will indeed be featured on a UK coin. 

DN 2019 wallace and gromit coming soon blog image 650px 1024x866 - Smashing News! Wallace and Gromit are coming to The Royal Mint

In fact, later this year the cheery inventor and his faithful ‘Dogwarts’-educated canine companion will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of their very first stop-motion animation that’s become a classic – “A Grand Day Out”. And I’m sure you’d agree – a commemorative coin would be the perfect way to celebrate this milestone anniversary.

If you want to be kept up to date, and be the first to know about all things Wallace and Gromit related, then register your interest below. We’ll then email you as soon as we hear anything more from our sources.

In the meantime let’s have a look at what happened when another one of Britain’s best loved fictional characters came to The Royal Mint…

UK 2019 Gruffalo Silver Proof 50p Coin Reverse Lifestyle - Smashing News! Wallace and Gromit are coming to The Royal Mint

On the 23rd March the Gruffalo celebrated its 20th birthday, and to mark this landmark publication anniversary a brand new UK 50p was released. This was the first time ever the popular children’s book character had appeared on UK coinage.

To say the release was popular is an understatement, as fans and collectors alike were quick to snap up the coin. Collectors were so quick in fact that the silver and gold proof versions – with edition limits of 25,000 and 600 respectively – completely sold out at The Royal Mint within 12 hours of release.

This made it the fastest selling 50p to date!

No doubt the question on everyone’s lips now is what will happen when Wallace and Gromit arrive at The Royal Mint – will they be appearing on a UK coin and if so will we see another record breaking sell-out? But perhaps the biggest question of all – will it be made of cheese?

There’s only one way to find out – register your interest below!

* indicates required