THE COPES COINS JOURNAL
Explore our coin collecting archive, with guides to British coin designs, mintages and historical issues. Our current shop specialises in Uncirculated 2018 and 2019 A–Z 10p coins.
Collector archive
THE COLLECTOR’S JOURNAL
A Beginner’s Guide to Pre-Decimal Currency in the United Kingdom Introduction Before the decimalization of the UK currency in 1971, the British monetary system was based on pounds, shillings, and pence. This system had a...
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Collector archive
THE COLLECTOR’S JOURNAL
An archived introduction to cryptoassets, how they differ from physical collectible coins, and the risks explained by the Financial Conduct Authority.
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Collector archive
THE COLLECTOR’S JOURNAL
Have you ever wondered about the story behind the £1 coin? In this blog post, we will take a journey through time to explore the fascinating history of this iconic currency. From its humble beginnings...
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A modern UK 10p coin has a published weight of 6.5g. That includes the nickel-plated steel A–Z coins dated 2018 and 2019. The alphabet design changes the picture on the coin, not its denomination or...
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To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the launch of Henry VIII's flagship, the Mary Rose, a special £2 coin was issued by the Royal Mint in 2011. It set sail from Portsmouth in July 1511...
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In 2016, the Royal Mint took centre stage to commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death with a trio of captivating £2 coin designs consisting of the Comedies, Histories and Tragedies designs. Of the three, the Shakespeare...
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The Shakespeare Histories £2 coin is part of a trio of coins issued by the Royal Mint in 2016 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of the legendary playwright, William Shakespeare. Often referred to as the Crown and Dagger £2...
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The Shakespeare Tragedies £2 coin is part of a trio of coins issued by the Royal Mint in 2016 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of the legendary playwright, William Shakespeare. Often referred to as the Skull and Rose £2...
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In this article we'll learn all about the 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p coin issued by the Royal Mint to commemorate this amazing book by Beatrix Potter – but is this coin rare and how much is...
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THE COLLECTOR’S JOURNAL
In this article we'll learn all about the 2018 Tailor of Gloucester 50p coin issued by the Royal Mint to commemorate the amazing works of Beatrix Potter – but is this coin rare and how...
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THE COLLECTOR’S JOURNAL
Sherlock Holmes is well-known in the crime fiction genre, just like his creator Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle. Are you a fan of Sherlock Holmes? Do you collect coins? If so, you might be interested...
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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was the United Kingdom’s longest reigning monarch, with an incredible 70 years of service to the crown, the first British Monarch to reach such an incredible milestone. In tribute to...
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On Thursday 29th September 2022, to commemorate the Life of the Queen, the Royal Mint announced that they were to release a new 50p coin that features the brand-new portrait of King Charles III for the...
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THE COLLECTOR’S JOURNAL
The 50th Anniversary of London Pride was celebrated on 1st July 2022 and to mark the event, the Royal Mint issued a brand new 50p coin. The first UK Pride event took place 50 years ago in London on 1st...
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2023 was a landmark year in the history of our nation and monarchy, as King Charles III is crowned King. The most significant Royal event of our generation has been celebrated with a UK 50p...
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The British sixpence, sometimes affectionately known as a 'tanner' or 'sixpenny bit,' was a denomination of sterling coinage. Origins and Introduction: The first sixpences were minted in 1551, during the reign of Edward VI. They...
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THE COLLECTOR’S JOURNAL
This article looks at some of the £2 coins you may find in your change and we look at what is colloquially known as the 'scarcity index' of the 37 commemorative £2 coins issued by...
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THE COLLECTOR’S JOURNAL
The 2017 Jeremy Fisher 50p coin is a highly sought-after collectible item among coin enthusiasts and collectors. Released as part of the Beatrix Potter series by the Royal Mint, this coin pays tribute to one...
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THE COLLECTOR’S JOURNAL
In this article we'll learn all about the 2018 Flopsy Bunny 50p coin issued by the Royal Mint to commemorate this amazing book by Beatrix Potter – but is this coin rare and how much is...
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THE COLLECTOR’S JOURNAL
The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse is a book by Beatrix Potter, illustrated and published by Frederick Warne Company in 1910. This book follows the journey of a wood mouse named Mrs. Thomasina Tittlemouse as she...
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THE COLLECTOR’S JOURNAL
Have you ever wondered how a small piece of metal can hold so much history and significance? Well, the 2011 Olympic 50p coins are a perfect example of this. This archive covers Olympic 50p designs...
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Also known as the Fourth Reform Act, the Representation of the People Act of February 6, 1918 marked a radical change for British women. This act was the first to give all men over 21...
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Introduction In the world of numismatics, certain coins transcend their face value and become legendary. Among these, the 1933 George V Penny stands out as a captivating enigma - a coin that never truly saw the light...
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The 1983 New Pence 2p Coin: A Rare Error Worth a Small Fortune In the world of numismatics, error coins are the stuff of legend. They are the rare anomalies that occur when something goes...
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The 100th Anniversary of BBC 50p: All You Need To Know The BBC 50p coin, issued in 2022, commemorates a century of the British Broadcasting Company (BBC). Let’s delve into the details of this remarkable coin: Commemoration The...
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The Alan Turing 50p is a remarkable coin issued by the Royal Mint, commemorating the life and contributions of Alan Turing, an English mathematician and computer scientist. Let’s delve into the fascinating details of this coin: About The...
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On Thursday 12th October 2023, the 8 definitive coins, ranging from the 1p to the £2, were completely redesigned to feature iconic British wildlife, paying tribute to King Charles III and the four nations of the UK....
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THE COLLECTOR’S JOURNAL
What is the UK 50p coin? The UK 50p coin is a widely recognized and popular coin in the United Kingdom. It is a circular coin with a diameter of 27.3mm and is made of...
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The Groat: A Journey Through Time and Coinage Introduction The groat, a coin steeped in history and intrigue, has left its indelible mark on the world of numismatics. From medieval England to distant lands, the groat...
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As we move towards a more digital and cashless society, many of us may find ourselves with a collection of old UK coins and banknotes that we no longer have any use for. Whether you've...
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