The Great British Coin Hunt
As part of the sport-inspired celebrations around the London 2012 Olympic Games, The Royal Mint struck 29 Olympic-themed 50p designs for circulation. The public fell in love with these winning designs, and just a year after the games, 70% of the special coins had been removed from circulation. They were snapped up and stored in piggy banks and coin books by seasoned collectors and new enthusiasts alike. It proved the thrill of coin hunting was still alive in people of all ages across the country.
In 2018, we re-introduced The Great British Coin Hunt with the Quintessentially British A to Z 10p coin collection to keep the coin-based fun coming.
What Is The Great British Coin Hunt?
For two years, we struck the Quintessentially British A–Z coin collection that featured a unique design for each letter of the alphabet. Every image has an intrinsic connection to the islands we call home. With iconic attractions, popular pastimes and famous British dishes, the playful coins celebrate what it means to be British.
The fun designs were struck on the humble 10p to ensure everyone had a fair chance to fill their Great British Coin Hunt album. The collection captured the public’s imagination, and it sparked the same enthusiastic searching as the Olympic collection, as people sought to complete their set.
How Many Quintessentially British Coins Were Struck?
In 2018, 2.6 million special 10p coins were entered into circulation, with a further 2.1 million added in 2019. That may sound like a lot, but this figure was spread across the full 26-design collection. Each individual design has a potentially lower mintage figure than the Kew Gardens 50p, the rarest 50p coin in circulation.
Alongside the circulating coins, there were an unlimited number of collectable Uncirculated Great British Coin Hunt A–Z 10p coins produced for those collectors eager to obtain the full set without waiting to find the coins in circulation.
Two Years Only
The Great British Coin Hunt was initially planned to run for a single year in 2018, but its popularity demanded the collection’s return in 2019. This gave people the chance to catch the coins missing from their Quintessentially British collection. The coins of the second release were dated 2019, so even the people who achieved a complete collection the previous year could find new coins to add to their albums.
Great British Designs
Each design was created by a team of The Royal Mint’s skilled craftspeople who are responsible for some of the most beloved commemorative and iconic circulating coins of the United Kingdom’s modern history. Each unique design tells a story, and its personality rises from the surface. Every letter design was submitted to the independent Royal Mint Advisory Committee and, as with every coin that enters circulation, went to Her Majesty The Queen for final approval.
Coin Collecting in the Digital Age
To support the release of this collectable coin series, The Royal Mint released a specially designed app to make it easier to track and trace your coins and bring a new dimension to coin-collecting fun. The app used image-recognition technology to allow users to scan their new coins and keep a digital record of their collection. There was also a map that showed collectors where most coins of each design were being found around the country, helping them locate their missing coins. The app awarded a host of badges and achievements to attract younger collectors to the intriguing world of coins.
Will The Great British Coin Hunt Return?
We understand this was a fabulously popular collection which struck a chord with the public. However, we are unable to comment on future collections. Life moves fast here at The Royal Mint, and we are always creating stellar new collections and designs. If you’ve caught the collecting bug, our Collect section has the very latest collections available and a wealth of numismatic information to help you find the right coins for your album.
Whose Coins Will You Collect?
The coins of these monarchs offer an easy starting point for British coin collecting, but with thousands of years of history, there are many avenues for your hobby to take. Whether you choose to collect a particular monarch, denomination or metal, there are exciting stories that capture a specific moment of our shared history and present you with a link to the past.
Wherever your collection takes you, The Royal Mint is on hand to assist you with our expertise and an ever-changing selection of historic coins.