2011 50p coins

[Terry]

Would like to know why the 2011 50p coins for 2011 are already in circulation?

[RobJ]

Hi Terry.

The Royal Mint recently started to circulate the new 2012 Olympic Games Commemorative Issue 50p Coins. A total of 29 different designs in total will be released.

The first ones have been in circulation since October/November and they all have the date 2011.

If it is a 'Standard' Issue 50p that you are referring to, then as far as I am aware they should only be available in the recently released 2011 BU and Proof Sets.

I hope that helps you.

[The Dark Numismatist]

Hi Terry.

The Royal Mint recently started to circulate the new 2012 Olympic Games Commemorative Issue 50p Coins. A total of 29 different designs in total will be released.

The first ones have been in circulation since October/November and they all have the date 2011.

If it is a 'Standard' Issue 50p that you are referring to, then as far as I am aware they should only be available in the recently released 2011 BU and Proof Sets.

I hope that helps you.

Hi all,

Just picked one up in my change this afternoon - had to look twice at the date! Sure enough it is 2011.

[Peckris]

I was shown both types at the local coin society meeting tonight. Ugly looking things, ain't they? Shallowest reverse design since the late beloved Churchill crowns.

[RobJ]

I was shown both types at the local coin society meeting tonight. Ugly looking things, ain't they? Shallowest reverse design since the late beloved Churchill crowns.

I agree. The designs are very shallow indeed!

Some of the Designs are really quite good I think. I rather like the Archery Design. As for the majority of the rest of them, I could take them or leave them personally.

Although I do think that the designs suffer being on the new smaller and lighter 50p coins and they may have been more fitting and better looking on the larger sized 50p coins.

[RobJ]

I managed to obtain both the Gymnastics and a Badminton 50p Designs in my change today.

I am not sure how many of each of the 29 Designs have been issued but they are certainly starting to appear more frequently.

[scott]

there will be more then people think, afterall there are 29, for them to release 29 designs even with low (200k) mintage on each, that is still a good chance for 1.

[1949threepence]

I was shown both types at the local coin society meeting tonight. Ugly looking things, ain't they? Shallowest reverse design since the late beloved Churchill crowns.

I agree. The designs are very shallow indeed!

Some of the Designs are really quite good I think. I rather like the Archery Design. As for the majority of the rest of them, I could take them or leave them personally.

Although I do think that the designs suffer being on the new smaller and lighter 50p coins and they may have been more fitting and better looking on the larger sized 50p coins.

Totally agree with that sentiment. A more pronounced reverse design, on a larger surface area would have helped IMO.

I don't run with this idea of releasing coins "out of year". Releasing circulation coins the year before they are dated is, I suppose, in line with the same principle as selling year books or annuals the year before the one they are intended for. Not keen though.

On the same theme, I'm wondering why we are only just seeing the business strike 2009 technology £2 coins ~ December 2010. Not seen one before this month, but now three in the last week.

Edited December 18, 2010 by 1949threepence

[£400 for a Penny ?]

On the same theme, I'm wondering why we are only just seeing the business strike 2009 technology £2 coins ~ December 2010. Not seen one before this month, but now three in the last week.

How the Mint/Bank assesses the need for circulating coinage is probably a very interesting subject - it is after all, right at the heart of what we are about as collectors.

I've made a few half hearted attempts to look into it, but never really got anywhere.

If I were to guess, I would say that there would be a number of institutions up and down the country, that are required to file a return periodically on the denominations that pass through their hands. I guess this info is then stored by the BOE which analyses trends and places orders with the mint on demand.

The fine detail would be the interesting bit, but who knows, it might even be classified.

[Peckris]

I don't run with this idea of releasing coins "out of year". Releasing circulation coins the year before they are dated is, I suppose, in line with the same principle as selling year books or annuals the year before the one they are intended for. Not keen though.

MOJO Magazine - let's say the December issue - plops on the doormat at the very end of October or beginning of November, reports on things which happened mid-October at the very latest. Absurd.

[1949threepence]

there will be more then people think, afterall there are 29, for them to release 29 designs even with low (200k) mintage on each, that is still a good chance for 1.

That's an interesting concept to think about. If 5,800,000 2011 50p's have been issued, and there are 29 designs, then if divided equally that makes about 200,000 of each, making each one scarce individually. But there is still a high chance of getting a 2011 50p of some description. The trick will be collecting all of them.

Edited December 21, 2010 by 1949threepence

[RobJ]

That's an interesting concept to think about. If 5,800,000 2011 50p's have been issued, and there are 29 designs, then if divided equally that makes about 200,000 of each, making each one scarce individually. But there is still a high chance of getting a 2011 50p of some description. The trick will be collecting all of them.

That is very true 1949. However according to this artice from the BBC, they may be more common than first thought.

"The Royal Mint said that 87 million of the 29

special 50p coins would come into circulation

over 2010 and 2011."

Which means that there could be 3 Million of each Design released into circulation.

Although, we do have to take into account that people may pull them out of circulation as and when they see them. And we can't forget the inevitable surge of them on E-Bay, so who knows? lol

[scott]

do we need 87 million 50p's?

at least it will be a change from the 9/10 1997's i get

[£400 for a Penny ?]

I haven't really been paying attention to this, but yesterday I got one that appeared to have a pair of boxing gloves on ?

I didn't keep it, but was that one of them ?

[RobJ]

I haven't really been paying attention to this, but yesterday I got one that appeared to have a pair of boxing gloves on ?

I didn't keep it, but was that one of them ?

It certainly sounds like it £400.

Boxing 50p.

Did it by any chance go with your Brunel £2 Coin to purchase your Ham and Mustard Roll? lol

[£400 for a Penny ?]

That's the one.

Even here in the nations capital £2.50 for a ham and mustard roll is pushing it a bit.

I paid £1.60 and sent the Brunel back into circulation.

I had 6 £2 coins in my pocket and I chose it deliberately, first time I've ever done that.

Say what you like about them, but collecting from your change is a free bit of harmless fun.

[RobJ]

That's the one.

Even here in the nations capital £2.50 for a ham and mustard roll is pushing it a bit.

I paid £1.60 and sent the Brunel back into circulation.

I had 6 £2 coins in my pocket and I chose it deliberately, first time I've ever done that.

Say what you like about them, but collecting from your change is a free bit of harmless fun.

I couldn't agree with more you £400.

After all any coins that you find and do decide to keep cost nothing more than face value, so you are never out of pocket.

Plus, if it is a better example than you already have, then you can just swap them over and you have lost nothing.

[scott]

i keep back decent £1's, those wear stupidly quickly, plucked a 2004 with some lustre yesterday

can you come up north with those £2 coins.. and get some 1997 50p's too many of the flaming things

[1949threepence]

i keep back decent £1's, those wear stupidly quickly, plucked a 2004 with some lustre yesterday

can you come up north with those £2 coins.. and get some 1997 50p's too many of the flaming things

Talking about £1 coins, I received a 2008 one the other day, and I literally couldn't believe the amount of wear on it. It was like it had been in circulation for about 25 years !!!

On the same subject, the relief on 1985 £1 coins must be very low. I'm getting one or two now, where the date has been totally rubbed off.

[1949threepence]

That's an interesting concept to think about. If 5,800,000 2011 50p's have been issued, and there are 29 designs, then if divided equally that makes about 200,000 of each, making each one scarce individually. But there is still a high chance of getting a 2011 50p of some description. The trick will be collecting all of them.

That is very true 1949. However according to this artice from the BBC, they may be more common than first thought.

"The Royal Mint said that 87 million of the 29

special 50p coins would come into circulation

over 2010 and 2011."

Which means that there could be 3 Million of each Design released into circulation.

Although, we do have to take into account that people may pull them out of circulation as and when they see them. And we can't forget the inevitable surge of them on E-Bay, so who knows? lol

Thanks for the info and that very useful link, Rob.

[scott]

i think 1985 was slightly differant to the 1986+ on all denominations. the legend was thinner text or something, i'll have to check

[RobJ]

Thanks for the info and that very useful link, Rob.

Not a problem at all 1949, I'm glad that you found it useful.

[HistoryTreasures]

I managed to obtain both the Gymnastics and a Badminton 50p Designs in my change today.

I am not sure how many of each of the 29 Designs have been issued but they are certainly starting to appear more frequently.

Looks more like a Fosbury flop to me? Cool designs too!

Edited December 27, 2010 by HistoryTreasures

[RobJ]

Looks more like a Fosbury flop to me? Cool designs too!

I do agree that it is reminiscent of a High Jumper doing the Fosbury Flop. But I believe that it is a Gymnast on the Asymmetric Bar, designed by a young girl.

I'm starting to rather like it if I'm honest, I think that it is very sweet.

[Sylvester]

Oh dear.

29 designs, shallow clip art reliefs, reminds me of the US State Quarter project, which was such a money spinner that it then went on to many other similar themed projects. It wouldn't surprise me if the Royal Mint decide to make a regular thing out of this, using the 50p for lots of different clip art designs every year. Just think; a design for every county, historic buildings/monuments, monarchs, Prime Ministers etc. Certainly a shrewd business move.

Not so sure I like it though. Note how since the redesigns of 2008 the overse relief has also been greatly reduced. Won't be long until we're doing what the Netherlands do, a simple outline portrait.