Coin Collector

2014 - The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games 2015 - 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain 2016 - Team GB Mintage: 6,500,000 Approx. value: £1.50 Mintage: 6,400,000 Approx. value: £1 Mintage: 5,900,000 Approx. value: £1.50 This fun design is a nice way to express the musical achievements of Britten, who was one of Britain’s most influential artists when it came to classical music. Designed by artist Tom Phillips, the coin has the words ‘BLOW BUGLE BLOW’ and ‘SET THE WILD ECHOES FLYING’ along with the composer’s name in a musical stave. Collector notes The coin was the first 50p to show the date and denomination on the obverse (the ‘heads’ side). Despite that, the coin is quite common and it’s one for you to look at for in your change. Not to be outdone by the London 2012 celebrations, Glasgow proudly hosted the Commonwealth Games two years after the Olympics and a 50p was duly issued to mark the sporting event. The design shows a cyclist and runner in action, the Scottish ‘Saltire’ flag design going across the coin and the logo, featuring lettering similar to that used by celebrated Glasgow architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Collector notes The Glasgow 2014 coin is not particularly rare, though it’s safe to say that those who attended the event may well have kept examples of the coins as souvenirs, so there may not be quite as many in circulation as other coins of similar mintages. Another evocative design this time honouring those involved in the Battle of Britain that took place in the skies above the country during 1940. Collector notes This coin created a stir when it was first released as collectors realised there were three different versions of the coin. It was the obverse that was different, with three different ‘heads’ sides seen. The first featured the portrait of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley and had no denomination, the second featured Jody Clark’s portrait – which was first unveiled in 2015 – and didn’t show the value, and the third featured Clark’s design and the correct wording: ‘50 PENCE’. It was the latter version that was released into circulation, so it’s this version you are most likely to see. The other two uncirculated versions were originally sold in presentation packs and, in the days after their release, fetched prices of around £100 with many examples being described as errors. Did The Royal Mint intend to leave the date of those early versions? We’ll probably never know. Today the uncirculated versions are worth around £4 to £8. Also beware of coloured versions of the coin which sell on eBay. These ‘coloured decal’ versions are not official and just feature a coloured effect that some collectors, especially those who specialise in military items, really enjoy. Just when coin collectors thought the series of Olympic Games 50p coins had reached the finishing line, this new addition came along to celebrate Team GB’s efforts at the Rio Olympics in Brazil. For a second time in just five years a 50p depicted an Olympic swimmer, this time showing an athlete face on, with the Team GB and the Olympic rings above. Collector notes A lovely addition to the 2012 coins, this 50p is not particularly rare and can be purchased for around £1. It’s likely the coin will be a little less common in years to come, as collectors of the London 2012 coins expand their collection and look for this bonus piece. Here’s another design which nicely captures the subject, featuring the same kind of artwork as the famous Bayeaux Tapestry which told the tale of the battle all those centuries ago. The coin marks the 950th anniversary of the event, which saw King Harold meet his fate, seemingly The Royal Mint couldn’t wait another fifty years to mark 1,000 years. Collector notes This is another common coin, and collectors should be aware that an uncirculated version was issued in 2019 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the coin. 2013 - The 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Benjamin Britten Mintage: 5,300,000 Approx. value: £1 2016 - Battle of Hastings Mintage: 6,700,000 Approx. value: £1