The Royal Mint celebrates John Logie Baird on a commemorative 50p

May 10, 2021 | Announcements

Ian Baird, grandson of John Logie Baird, with the 50p commemorative coin (Photo courtesy of the Royal Mint)

‘The Father of Television,’ Scottish inventor, John Logie Baird changed society and entertainment around the world with the early invention of the electromechanical television.

In honour of television’s founding father, The Royal Mint’s commemorative coin was first unveiled in the 2021 Annual Set. The design, by commissioned artists Osborne Ross, bares a graphic representation of broadcast transmission, with circular shapes emanating a silhouette of the Crystal Palace mast – the site of John Logie Baird’s former television station and transmitter.

The coin also features the milestone moments of one of Britain’s greatest original makers; from his birth in Helensburgh Scotland in 1888, studying electrical engineering at Glasgow’s Royal Technical College in 1926, the first demonstration of analogue television in 1926, the first transatlantic transmission in 1928 and the end of a full and successful life in 1946.

The design was brought to life with the expertise and innovation techniques gathered across the 1,100-year history of The Royal Mint, where the product design team adopted a skilful ‘scooping’ technique between the lines on the model to create a quality 3D finish.

Available in limited-edition Gold Proof, Silver Proof, Silver Proof Piedfort, as well as a Brilliant Uncirculated edition, the coins have been created in consultation with Iain Baird, grandson of John Logie Baird, to mark the 75th Anniversary year of his grandfather’s passing.

Speaking on behalf of the Baird family, Iain Baird commented: “The Baird family feels extremely honoured that The Royal Mint has chosen to recognise my grandfather’s contributions in this way. He was involved in both the technology and the progress of television broadcasting and the coin design illustrates his dual role as a pioneer in the scientific world as well as in a brand-new medium of communication.”

Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said, “The Life and Work of John Logie Baird is an exciting addition to our popular ‘Innovation in Science’ series, which celebrates the legendary names at the heart of Innovation and Science on a commemorative 50p. The design represents Baird’s accomplishments and the invention of broadcast transmission, which has shaped culture and entertainment as we know it today. It has been a pleasure and privilege to work with the Baird family to commemorate a true British icon and a pioneer of one of the greatest scientific discoveries of the twentieth century.”

The Life and Works of John Logie Baird follows Stephen Hawking and Rosalind Franklin, as part of the Innovation in Science Series. Find out more about the John Logie Baird coin, the Science in Innovation Series and the 2021 Annual Set at www.royalmint.com.

Mr. Men Little Miss… The nation’s favourite bedtime stories? Jenni Falconer thinks so!

May 5, 2021 | Announcements

Jenni Falconer unveils the Little Miss Sunshine Royal Mint Mr Men coin. Picture date: Friday April 23, 2021. (Matt Crossick/PA Wire)

To celebrate the launch of the final design in the collection, The Royal Mint worked with avid coin collector, Jenni Falconer, to unveil vibrant ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ on a £5 coin. Jenni also revealed that the book, first introduced in 1981, is a firm favourite in the Falconer household.

Jenni Falconer said, “The Mr. Men Little Miss books are perfect for bedtime reading, and Little Miss Sunshine is a true classic! It is definitely our current favourite. We are so excited to be able to complete our Mr. Men Little Miss coin collection with Little Miss Sunshine.

“Collecting coins is such a fun family hobby, and the Mr Men and Little Miss designs will be treasured for years to come. I love seeing the coin and the book side by side as it really brings the character of Little Miss Sunshine to life.”

The Royal Mint launched the ‘Mr. Men Little Miss’ collection earlier this year to mark the 50th anniversary of Roger Hargreaves’ loveable characters. Each coin was designed by Adam Hargreaves, and other coins in the collection feature Mr Strong, Little Miss Giggles and Mr Happy.

Little Miss Happy has been recreated on a £5 coin in vibrant yellow, thanks to new technology at The Royal Mint. The coins are available as gold and silver Proof editions, as well as Brilliant Uncirculated editions.

Commenting on the launch, Clare MacLennan, Divisional Director for Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said, “We’re pleased to announce the final coin within our Mr. Men Little Miss series which showcases Little Miss Sunshine. We’re honoured to have Jenni Falconer on board for this project to remind parents and children of their love for the Mr. Men Little Miss characters.

“The success of the range has proven that collecting coins remains a popular hobby, and we’re delighted to continue making such vibrant designs to inspire future generations of collectors.”

The 50th Anniversary of Mr Men 2021 UK Half Ounce Silver Proof Coin – Coin 1 2 and 3 – in acrylic blocks left

Now entering its fifth decade, the Mr. Men Little Miss collection is still as popular as it was when it first began in 1971. Left in the capable hands of Adam Hargreaves, son of creator Roger Hargreaves and designer of the Mr. Men Little Miss coin collection at The Royal Mint, the brands legacy continues to captivate a new generation of fans with each passing era. The longevity of the book series makes these quirky little characters just as familiar to adults.

The third coin in the series featuring Little Miss Sunshine is available exclusively via The Royal Mint. Visit: www.royalmint.com/mrmen to view the full commemorative coin range. The coin will not be entering general circulation.

The Royal Mint unveils its largest coin in its 1,100-year history – a 10 kilo gold ‘Masterwork’

Apr 29, 2021 | Announcements

he Royal Mint, the Original Maker of UK coins, has produced a ten-kilo gold commemorative coin for the first time in its 1,100-year history. It is the latest ‘Masterwork’ from The Royal Mint – a new series of larger, one of a kind pieces for collectors made using a combination of traditional skills and innovative technology.

The coin marks the conclusion of the Queen’s Beasts commemorative coin collection and captures all ten beasts side by side in a single design. The series takes its inspiration from the ten stone statues which lined Her Majesty’s route to Westminster Abbey at her Coronation in 1953.

The 10kg coin was created by a team of master craftspeople at The Royal Mint, using traditional minting skills alongside innovative technology. Modern techniques are called upon in the beginning with engraving machines being used to carefully cut the design onto the ten-kilo coin.

A uniquely titled ‘Master Toolmaker’ then hand works the coin, carefully papering and burnishing the surface of the metal to remove any marks made by the cutting process to elevate the finish of the design, before undergoing four days of polishing. Finally, the 200.00mm wide coin is laser frosted to selectively texture the surface of the coin giving it a matt finish showcasing the detailed finish of the coin’s design – completing 400 hours of work.

Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said, “We are delighted to unveil a Royal Mint first with the creation of the UK’s largest coin to celebrate the conclusion of our Queen’s Beasts commemorative coin collection. It is the latest in our ‘Masterworks’ series which offer unique works of art for collectors, exclusively from The Royal Mint.

“The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts commemorative coin collection has grown in popularity since the first beast was introduced in 2017 and has become a firm favourite amongst coin collectors across the globe.

“This coin sets a new standard for minting – combining centuries old techniques with innovative technology to create a unique and beautiful work of art. It is the largest coin ever created by The Royal Mint, and is testament to the expertise, craftsmanship and skill of our team.”

Starting with the Lion of England in 2017, The Queen’s Beasts Collection has showcased the history and symbolism of each of these creatures in turn. The Royal Mint’s line-up of coronation beasts on commemorative coins is now complete and the celebrations continue with a special coin reuniting all ten beasts in one design. Presented together on one coin, these magnificent royal guardians – lions, a griffin, a falcon, a bull, a yale, a greyhound, a dragon, a unicorn and a horse – surround the effigy of Her Majesty The Queen.

For those looking to complete their Queen’s Beasts collection, the coin is available in a range of finishes with prices starting from £13 available to be purchased from www.royalmint.com/QueensBeasts.

Peter Rabbit™ hops onto a brand-new coin at The Royal Mint

Apr 26, 2021 | Announcements

The Royal Mint, the Original Maker of UK coins, has today announced that Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit™ will appear on their commemorative £5 crown and one-ounce coins for the very first time in a partnership secured with Penguin Random House.

Previously, Peter Rabbit and his friends have appeared on the 50p and have been one of the most popular commemorative coin collections from The Royal Mint. Now, the iconic character has hopped over to a new coin on the reverse of the £5 crown as well as silver and gold one ounce coins.

The larger surface area of the £5 crown has allowed The Royal Mint to explore the timeless narrative of The Tale of Peter Rabbit and capture more detail.

The Royal Mint’s own Ffion Gwillim created the design using original storybook illustrations, settling on an image showing the whole Rabbit family together. Speaking about the design, Ffion said, “What I really like about this particular illustration is that it has a great narrative element. As a designer I always look to tell a story, just as Beatrix Potter did in her unique and wonderful way. It was a lot of fun to revisit The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It’s such a timeless classic and Peter’s antics never get old.”

Thomas Merrington, Creative Director, Penguin Ventures (part of Penguin Random House) said, “Peter Rabbit has had an exceptional adventure with The Royal Mint over the past five years. His appearance on the £5 crown marks a new chapter for our partnership and provides an exciting opportunity to showcase Beatrix Potter’s original illustration in a creative new way”

The new commemorative coin features a charming scene of the Rabbit family from an early part of the story when Peter’s mother warns him not to get into any mischief. Capturing the warmth and charm of the original illustration, the coin is set to be key piece for collectors.

Clare Maclennan Divisional Director for Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint commented, “The £5 crown is truly a wonderful piece for collecting, with the larger surface area showcasing The Royal Mint’s abilities as designers and creators of coinage. It has also allowed us to capture the magical world of Peter Rabbit, which deserves the space to be able to tell such a timeless narrative. Peter Rabbit has been a key part of our commemorative coin journey, and we are pleased to offer him a new platform on a new denomination.”

For fans of the Peter Rabbit commemorative coins, the 2021 coin design will no doubt be a popular addition to collections, marking a new chapter for the loveable rabbit. This will be the only release featuring Peter Rabbit this year.

The coin is available as gold and silver Proof editions, as well as a Brilliant Uncirculated edition, available from The Royal Mint. Please visit royalmint.com/peter-rabbit to view the full commemorative coin range. The coin will not be going into general circulation.

The Royal Mint launches Alfred the Great commemorative coin honouring the military mastermind a millennium on from his accession

Apr 22, 2021 | Announcements

Celebrating 1,150 years since one of the most influential monarchs in British history was made King, The Royal Mint has today announced the launch of a commemorative coin collection honouring the life and work of Alfred the Great. The launch of the new commemorative coin comes just weeks after The Royal Mint’s Collector Services division sold an original Alfred The Great Silver Monogram Penny (871-899) for an impressive £18,700.

The coins of Alfred’s reign were one of the first to state exactly where the coin was minted, in London, and are regarded as particularly significant in the history of The Royal Mint.

Alfred (849-899), king of the West Saxons, was one of the great rulers in English history and the only English ruler called ‘Great’. He came to the throne facing Viking invasions but recovered to win the Battle of Ethandune, in Wiltshire, and force his enemies to sign the peace of Wedmore (878). To defend his kingdom, Alfred built fortified towns, strengthened local militias, and created England’s first navy. His unifying reign demonstrated military skill, far-sighted reform, piety and wisdom, which built the foundations for the modern monarchy of today.

Experienced coinage artist, John Bergdahl, has created an original design that features across the beautiful, accessible range of gold and silver commemorative coins for those remembering Alfred’s life and work this year. He took his inspiration from a precious artefact that embodies the monarch’s enlightenment and passion for education – the Alfred Jewel.

The Jewel, which came to light in 1693 having been ploughed up in a field in Somerset, features a portrait of Alfred which has been replicated onto the face of the new coins. It represents the pinnacle of Anglo-Saxon technological achievement, while the name of the monarch which it proclaims places it among the most precious of royal relics.

On the coin’s edge there is an inscription ‘AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN’ which translates to ‘Alfred ordered me to be made’ taken from the etching on the Jewel.

John worked to ensure the coin was closest to the original Monogram Penny of Alfred the Great (871-899) and used ‘punch lettering’ to reflect the style of the period.

Rebecca Morgan, Divisional Director of Collector Services, said: “As the Original Makers of the Monogram Penny, we knew we had to remember this milestone anniversary. Alfred’s reign not only provided the British with strong leadership, but he also appreciated art and beauty, leaving us exquisite artefacts to draw inspiration from. From the sale of the historic penny to the launch of the new collection, we anticipate the design will be popular amongst our collectors.

“At The Royal Mint we believe Britain’s greats must be remembered to ensure our country’s rich history lives on. We work alongside phenomenal designers such as John to create modern-day collections that pay homage to the past, to enable the nation to celebrate the legacy of inspired historic figures, such as Alfred the Great.”

The Brilliant Uncirculated variation in the commemorative coin collection is packaged alongside a timeline of Alfred’s life – pictures and text educate on the various triumphs and downfalls he faced, making the product a perfect gift for those fascinated by our history.

The Alfred the Great coin collection is available to purchase via The Royal Mint website today in Brilliant Uncirculated, Gold Proof and Silver Proof variations with prices ranging from £13.00-£2,590.00.

To find out more, visit: https://www.royalmint.com/our-coins/events/alfred-the-great/

Chris Barker holding coins

Whitman Publishing Announces New 2022-Edition ‘Official Blue Book of United States Coins’

Apr 22, 2021 | Announcements

79th Edition Compiles Wholesale Values of All U.S. Coins

(Pelham, Alabama) — Whitman Publishing announces the upcoming release of the 2022 (79th edition) Handbook of United States Coins, popularly known as the “Blue Book.” The 304-page book will debut May 10, 2021, in hardcover and softcover formats, available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide. In the meantime, it is available for preorder (including at www.Whitman.com and online bookstores).

The Blue Book, a guide to wholesale coin values, was started by R.S. Yeoman in 1942 as a groundbreaking resource for collectors. With the Blue Book, for the first time ever hobbyists had an impartial, research-driven annual guide to tell how much the typical dealer would pay them for their U.S. coins. It also gave dealers a handy one-stop reference for making buy offers.

The Blue Book Defined

As the Blue Book nears its eightieth anniversary, collectors and dealers continue to find it a valuable yearly measure of wholesale coin values. Senior Editor Jeff Garrett and Research Editor Q. David Bowers carry on the work started by Yeoman, with retired Editor Emeritus Kenneth Bressett giving an annual overview of the process. More than 100 leading professional coin dealers, numismatic researchers, and organizations contributed their numismatic knowledge and market analysis to the 79th edition.

New coin collectors sometimes ask, “What’s the difference between the Blue Book and the Red Book?” The main answer is simple: The Blue Book lists wholesale prices many coin dealers will pay for collector coins; the Red Book (officially titled the Guide Book of United States Coins) lists retail prices that a collector can expect to pay for the same coins.

Since 1942 the Blue Book has helped millions of people who have inherited coin collections, have coins to sell or trade, or are actively engaged in collecting. The popular method of collecting coins by date and mintmark has created a market of changing values, based on supply and demand. The Blue Book, through its panel of contributors, reports on these changing values. It also serves as a source of general numismatic information for all levels of interest in the hobby.

New Features in This Year’s Blue Book

The 79th edition of the Blue Book (with a 2022 cover date) features the modern, updated layout of recent years, improved black-and-white photographs, the latest data and information from the United States Mint, and a 16-page full-color chapter on how to sell coins you’ve inherited. This feature section tells how to examine, identify, and sort coins in a collection or accumulation; create an inventory; determine grades and values; and find a reputable buyer. It includes illustrated case studies on grading coins; tips on selling at coin shows, through the mail, and by auction; guidance on silver and gold bullion values; and advice from professional numismatists.

Published in convenient softcover and library-quality hardcover on high-quality paper, the 79th (2022) edition Blue Book has a retail price of $12.95 (softcover) or $14.95 (hardcover).