UK Current Coinage Issues - numbers and themes - what do YOU think?

[SandyGuyUK]

Hi - given how the Dent thread ended up going into a separate (but very pertinent) discussion about the Beatrix Potter 50ps, I thought I would start a new thread on the issue of these and the other tut coins put out by the Mint these days.

I have been slightly frustrated that the Mint have latched onto Potter and are milking it to death with so many 50ps which does seem way out of proportion - particularly when these are supposedly circulating coins.  As others have mentioned, programmes like the Olympics - I can kind of understand why this happens - but Beatrix Potter for goodness' sake??

I think they would have been better limiting these to NCLT issues such as Crowns or similar like they have done with the Portrait of Britain, Queen's Beasts (why do I always keep on misreading that whenever I see it as "Breasts"!), WWI etc.

So to the point of my question - do you think it would be better if the Mint issued the number of different issues that they're currently making - e.g. 6 or 7 types of 50p but had them commemorating DIFFERENT subjects (as per commemorative stamp issues these days) or should they literally just issue circulating coins and perhaps ONE commemorative of each higher denomination as a maximum per year (e.g. 1 x 50p, 1 x £2 and 1 x £5)?

I appreciate that they have to make money (if you'll pardon the pun) as a commercial concern but it does indeed seem that their credibility is rapidly going up in smoke with the Beatrix Potter deluge etc.

What do others think?

Ian

[Alan71]

I would like the number of commemorative £2 coins and 50p coins limited to two per year, but this is unlikely to happen.  The Royal Mint, since it became a limited company, has chosen to exploit every commercial opportunity it can dream up.  I also dislike the fact that the year sets no longer contain all the commemoratives issued for that year.  This was occasionally the case before (1995 UN £2, 1998 NHS 50p, 2002 Commonwealth Games £2 coins) but these days has become the norm.  The year sets are over-priced anyway, and the single commemoratives sell for £10 each.  It's not going to change though.

[<k>]

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, only the Isle of Man issued so many commemorative coins. Well, it's a small island and has a living to make. Even when Mrs Thatcher's Conservatives came to power in 1979, they were not keen to see the Royal Mint go down the commercial route. However, over time there is slippage. Who among the big countries was most to blame? I'd point the finger at Canada. Then Australia joined it. Eventually even the USA was at it. And let's be honest, the Royal Mint has to compete.

So, I blame Canada. And many people nowadays have got enough spare cash and so little to do that they are willing to buy and collect sets such as the Beatrix Potter 50p coins. Why would the Royal Mint look a gift horse in the mouth?

I remember reading that if the Royal Mint went down this route, we'd end up with commercial organisations sponsoring designs on the coinage. I believe it was the Duke of Edinburgh who said that, back in the 1980s. And I believe there was indeed some coordination between the Beatrix Potter estate and its commercial arm. The DoE must be pleased that he gave up the presidency of the Royal Mint Advisory Committee many years ago.

[<k>]

To answer your question, I think three commemorative 50p and £2 pieces per year should be the maximum, and all of different subjects. We're reaching the point where the Mint is issuing more commemoratives than the Post Office did stamps in the early 1980s. 

[FosseWay]

I am less interested in setting a limit on the number of commemoratives or things commemorated and would rather ensure that whatever circulation commemoratives are issued are indeed put into circulation.

There seem to be a lot that are NCLT in all but name.

As to the year sets - I agree that they should include the commemoratives, but practically it doesn't affect me since I no longer buy them since the price went up stupidly.

[<k>]

I...would rather ensure that whatever circulation commemoratives are issued are indeed put into circulation.

There seem to be a lot that are NCLT in all but name.

I've yet to receive a Potter 50p in change, but I suspect that is because collectors are taking them out of circulation. Then again, I've never received a Britannia 2 pound coin in change either - not that I particularly want one.

[eurocoin]

I've yet to receive a Potter 50p in change, but I suspect that is because collectors are taking them out of circulation.

Yes, and not just taking them out of circulation from change but instead doing 'bankruns' in which they order thousands of pounds of a certain denomination (50p, 1 pound or 2 pound) to take out all of the valuable pieces. To then sell them on Ebay at highly inflated prices.