Late last year, we reported on the exciting announcement that there will be a new 50p coin design, including the childhood favourite - The Gruffalo - to celebrate 20 years of Julia Donaldson's book. And now we can reveal the release date of the new coin and it's very soon!
According to the Royal Mint's website, the new Gruffalo 50p coin will be available from the 19th February, less than a week away! The company also took to Twitter to announce the exciting release giving fans the chance to win some Gruffalo prizes.
According to Token Publishing, at present it isn't clear if the new design will be available in general circulation, or just for purchase from the Royal Mint. The website, which publishes coin news said, "We aren't sure whether this will go into circulation like the Beatrix Potter and Paddington coins or remain for collectors only (as with the Snowman just before Christmas) - we'll keep you posted!"
The Gruffalo has been a very popular book with many children over the past two decades and has now sold over 13 million copies. It has also been adapted for a film, theatre production and a ride at Chessington World of Adventures.
Now take a look at other special coins and notes:
Special Money - coins and notes
1 of 14UK Crowned Shield £1 coin
Although they are fairly common, they can currently fetch around £3 - £5.50. They are one of the oldest £1 coins around having been minted in 1988, just five years after the £1 coin was introduced.
2 of 14Edinburgh City £1 coin
This was released in 2011 and is thought to be worth £12 - £16.
3 of 14Scotland's Thistle and Bluebell £1 coin
Even with a mintage of 5.1 million it is worth £3 - £5 to collectors.
4 of 14Cardiff City £1 coin
This coin features the Coat of Arms of Cardiff as the principal focus to represent Wales. It is thought to be worth £11 - £15.
5 of 14London City £1 coin
Although more common than the Scottish and Welsh versions it is still worth £5 - £8.
6 of 14EC and Kew Gardens
Dating back to 1992/3 this larger 50p coin (left) was issued to celebrate the British presidency of the council of Europe. No longer in circulation could be worth around £40.The Kew Gardens design was minted to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Only 210,000 coins were made and is now expected to sell on eBay for £70 - £100.
7 of 142011 WWF and 2012 The Offside Explained
2011 WWF design of the 50p (left) can often sell for around £200 to collectors.The Offside Explained 50p apparently regularly changes hands for around £10.
8 of 142012 Olympics - Swimmer
Early versions of the coin show the swimmer with the water covering their head, however later versions have the lines of water removed.According to eBay only 600 of the early version are in circulation, fetching up to £3000 when they were first placed on eBay.
9 of 14New fiver (£5)
The new £5 note was released into circulation on the 13th September 2016. Notes with serial numbers starting with AA or AK 47 sold for much more than than their face value.
10 of 14New tenner (£10)
The new £10 note, featuring Jane Austen was released on 14th September 2017.As before many with the serial number AA or AK 47 were highly sought after as well as those with serial numbers relating to Jane Austen's birthday, date of death, or date the Pride and Prejudice was first published.
11 of 14Peter Rabbit 50p
The Peter Rabbit collectable coin is available to buy from the Royal Mint.
12 of 14Benjamin Bunny 50p
Benjamin Bunny was released earlier this year (2017).
13 of 14Tom Kitten 50p
Tom Kitten was released earlier this year (2017).
14 of 14Jeremy Fisher 50p
Jeremy Fisher was released earlier this year (2017).
Over the past few years we have seen a number of new 50p designs being released, including a Snowman design, as well as the much loved Paddington Bear design, of which there were two designs.
One Paddington Bear design had him sitting on a suitcase at Paddington train station, with the other showing him outside Buckingham Palace. At the time, Nicola Howell, director of consumer coins at The Royal Mint, said of the new coins, "If you enjoy collecting coins, then keep your eyes peeled for Paddington Bear in your change and keep them safe in their own special collector album.
"Paddington Bear is well-loved and a part of British popular culture, and we're incredibly proud to be playing a part in the 60th anniversary celebrations."
We can't wait to see the new Gruffalo design!
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