The first 50p coin to enter circulation in commemoration of a royal event will be released through post offices from next month.
The design to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, by artists Osborne Ross, features a number 70 engraved on the tails side of the coin, with the monarch’s cypher and dates of reign framed inside the zero.
A maximum of 5,000,070 will be minted in a further nod to the monarch’s 70 years on the throne.
The Royal Mint said some 1.3 million coins will become available on limited release at UK post offices from February 7, with striking already under way at a rate of up to 850 pieces a minute.
It is one of two special edition 50p coins to be released as part of a Royal Mint collection celebrating the unprecedented anniversary.
The second coin, by artist John Bergdahl and depicting the Queen on horseback on its heads side, will not enter circulation.
The Platinum Jubilee is the first royal event to be commemorated by a 50p coin, the Royal Mint said.
It said the coins were likely to become highly sought after as collector’s items to be “cherished for generations to come”.
They will only be available to customers making transactions at UK post offices and cannot be swapped for other 50p coins.
Director of UK currency, Mark Loveridge, said: “Coins tell the story of our nation and we are delighted to be working with the Post Office to mark this special royal occasion.”
He added: “This special 50 pence features an elegant and bold number 70 in celebration of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee year, and we expect it to become one of the nation’s most collectable coins.
“We are delighted that 1.3 million coins bearing this unique design will be accessible at post offices across the UK.”
Nick Read, chief executive at the Post Office, said: “We are thrilled to be part of the celebrations for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee year and that our 11,500 post offices across the whole of the United Kingdom will exclusively start the circulation of this special 50p coin.”
He added: “Postmasters are at the heart of their local communities and have been throughout our 360-year history. I have no doubt that this will be a real honour and privilege for postmasters and their teams."
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
