Five new coin designs unveiled by the Royal Mint ahead of the New Year

The Royal Mint's 2025 annual set will be available next week and includes new designs for the 50p, £2 coin and £5 coin.

Five new coin designs have been unveiled by the Royal Mint ahead of the New Year, including those depicting the Red Arrows and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

The Royal Mint’s 2025 annual set will be available next week and includes new designs for the 50p, £2 coin and £5 coin.

Two 50p coins have been designed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first Red Arrows display and to commemorate those who played a pivotal role in the Second World War.

The two £2 new coin designs will celebrate 200 years of the modern railway and the founding of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London.

A £5 coin has also been designed to celebrate the life and legacy of the Queen Mother.

The 2025 commemorative sets will be available in a range of precious metal and base-proof finishes, from January 2 via the Royal Mint website, with prices starting from £39.50.

Here’s a closer look at each of the new coin designs:

Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother £5 coin

Marking 125 years since the birth of the Queen Mother, the coin depicts a portrait that formed part of a design marking her 80th birthday in 1980. It was designed by Raphael Maklouf.

350th anniversary of the Royal Observatory

Commissioned by King Charles II in 1675, the Royal Observatory has been dedicated to improving sea navigation and timekeeping.

A new Greenwich £2 coin design will feature the Shepherd Gate Clock, the constellation Ursa Minor, the star Polaris and the Prime Meridian shown on a globe.

It will also have an inscription on the edge reading: ‘Perfecting the art of navigation.’ The coin was designed by Dominique Evans.

200 years of the modern railway £2 coin

On September 27 1825, George Stephenson’s steam-powered Locomotion No. 1 transported hundreds of passengers in England for 26 miles between Shildon, Darlington and Stockton.

The coin’s design celebrates the journey 200 years ago and features the inscription: ‘Active locomotion No 1.’ It was designed by John Bergdahl.

Red Arrows 50p coin

Next year will mark 60 years since the first Red Arrows display, with a commemorative coin depicting the Red Arrows in flight, portraying their speed and agility.

The reverse of the coin features three of the Red Arrows’ BAE Systems Hawk T1 aircraft, accompanied by the coloured trails used in the team’s aerial displays. The coin was designed by Dominique Evans.

Stories of the Second World War 50p coin

The 50p coin depicts the 1939-45 star, defence medal and war medal. Awarded to millions of people for their wartime service, the Mint said these medals symbolise the unique experiences of the Second World War.

From January 4, visitors to the Royal Mint Experience in South Wales will also have an opportunity to strike a 2025 dated £2 coin.

The £2 coin features a rose for England, a daffodil for Wales, a thistle for Scotland and a shamrock for Northern Ireland.

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