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 Replies: 37 / Views: 14,654 |
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New Member
Australia
48 Posts |
On the 7th of December, 2010, in London Heathrow airport, I found a coin in my change. On it's obverse side it has the 2012 olympics logo at the top, in the middle there is a person swimming to the right of the coin and underneath that, it says 50 PENCE.
I was very surprised by this because I thought that only 1 and 2 pound coins had commemorative designs on them. I flipped the coin to see what year it was made in and was shocked to find that it was dated 2011.
Can anybody tell me how this coin may have found it's way into my change? Also if someone can give me a bit of info on this coin, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1682 Posts |
Hi, Congrats on your find. The UK have made several different reverses on the back of the 50 pences. The lastest are the ones for the 2012 Olympics and the first ones reported in circulation are dated 2011. I have found the following in circulation over the years: 1998 25th anniversary of Britain joining the EU 1998 50th anniversary of the National Health Service 2000 150th anniversary of the Public Libraries Act of 1850 2003 Centenary of the Women's Social and Political Union (the Suffragettes) 2004 50th Anniversary of first sub-four-minute mile, Roger Bannister, 6 May 1954 2005 250th Anniversary of Samuel Johnson's 'Dictionary of the English Language'. 2006 Depiction of the Victoria Cross 2006 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross - 'Heroic Acts' 2007 Centenary of the Foundation of the Scouting Movement I have not seen the following two in circulation: 2009 Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew 2010 Girl Guides The first Olympic 50 pence was the Kid Designed one....not sure of the date on it nor have I heard anyone find any in circulation. http://www.coins-of-the-uk.co.uk/coins.html is a good reference site for UK coins. Looks like I need to get some 50 pence coins to look through from the bank. Ken |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2490 Posts |
So far, I've found these in circulation, all 2011:  |
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New Member
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Saw the girl guides in change a few weeks ago
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
The mints took after the auto industry, they start issue pieces dated next year half way through the current one. Gentlemen (the ones who eligible), if you find extra stuff in circulation I wouldn't mind swapping for something found in circulation here, in the US, say prez. dollars or Native American.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Germany
1064 Posts |
I doubt up north we'll see these coins for a while. I've seen on ebay that even some of the last 2 years' 50p coins are circulating, but we don't seem to get those, but I don't think I shop enough either. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1682 Posts |
I know what you mean about shopping.....people who shop seem to find newer stuff than I do despite me going to the bank and getting coins to look thru.
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New Member
 Australia
48 Posts |
Thanks for all the replies! I really appreciate some feedback.
So I gather that these Olympic coins are intended for circulation, am I right?
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1682 Posts |
Yes, that is correct, these are for circulation issues.
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Pillar of the Community
Germany
1064 Posts |
There will be a total of 29 designs, each with about 3 million of each coin, enough to make them rare-ish! Some come out later next year, like the football one, 8 initially came out and are the ones being found noe, then in novemeber another 8 were released but I have not seen evidence they are circulating yet. I think january sees another batch! If you go to bbc iplayer (and live in the UK apprently) you can watch episode 4 of " The Royal Mint" and there is a little there, or the mint website shows all the designs too! |
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New Member
Australia
48 Posts |
I wish I could stay in England a little longer and find a few more! Unfortunately I'm only here for another week.
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Valued Member
United States
268 Posts |
I have read about the new 50 pence coins but didnt know that they were already some in ciculation except for the first one which I think came out late last year not real sure on that. I like the designs that I have seen also the concept of using designs from everyday people. The U.S. did that in 1976 with the three reverse designs on the Dollar through the quarter and I think those designs still hold alot of emotion and impact today.
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Pillar of the Community
Germany
1064 Posts |
I got the boxing one today, woop. Some woman pulled all the coins out of her purse and there it was, so I exhanged it, she was a little worried it would be a rare one she could sell for loads on ebay! |
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Pillar of the Community
Germany
1064 Posts |
On ebay these coins are going for as much as £2.70, I have seen two at that price. You can buy the card things for £3 with a uncirculated coin in them. £84 gets you all 29 which is £2.89 for each one. Is it me or are people paying stupid money? |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1682 Posts |
First two for me today. Gymnastics and boxing.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1682 Posts |
Here is a photo of yesterday's find.  Ken |
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Replies: 37 / Views: 14,654 |
Posted 12/18/2010 06:55 am
