W celebrates a British invention that changed how we find information and keep in touch. The World Wide Web 10p brings a modern subject to an alphabet that also includes ancient landmarks, folklore and familiar food.
From an invention to a coin
Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989. The coin turns its name into a web-like pattern around W.
That makes it a particularly good choice for someone who works with technology, remembers the early days of the web or enjoys collecting British achievements.
Why the year makes a difference
The same design appears on both issues, but their circulation figures differ:
- 2018: 220,000.
- 2019: 63,000.
Choose the year that fits your album, or collect both to complete the W pair. The 2019 circulation total is lower, but it is not a count of all collector versions or today’s stock. Read what the mintage figures cover before using that number to compare offers.
An everyday invention with a huge reach
The web has become part of ordinary life, from looking up a fact to finding the next coin for a collection. W captures that subject on a piece of physical currency: a small, tangible reminder of something usually experienced through a screen.
It is a thoughtful option for a programmer, a web designer or anyone drawn to the invention behind the design.
Other ideas to collect alongside W
G: Greenwich Mean Time adds another influential system. P: Post Box brings an earlier form of everyday communication to the group. They make an interesting three-coin selection with quite different designs.
Choose your 2018 W World Wide Web 10p or 2019 W World Wide Web 10p. Both World Wide Web dates are offered in Uncirculated condition.
W 10p coin facts and issue history
Recognise the design: Spider web with W. Both dates use this reverse; read the year on the Queen's portrait side.
- Denomination and metal
- 10p, nickel-plated steel
- Size and weight
- 24.5 mm, 6.5 g
- Edge
- Grained
- Design attribution
- The Royal Mint Team (reverse); Jody Clark (obverse)
These specifications are recorded in The Royal Mint's W issue archive. The official design proclamation describes the motif and edge.
Circulation mintage: 220,000 for 2018 W and 63,000 for 2019 W. These low circulation figures explain the rarity of these dated coins in change. They exclude collector editions and do not count the Uncirculated coins available today.
The alphabet series launched in March 2018. The 2019-dated circulation rollout began in February 2019, according to the original programme FAQ. For bags, cards and albums, see our packaging comparison.
Primary records checked 11 October 2026.