Post Offices across the UK have started rolling out the new 50p coin, marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The coin features a large number 70 design with the Royal Cypher and the dates of the Queen’s reign inside the zero. The Queen’s usual portrait appears on the other side.
The Platinum Jubilee 50p coins are expected to be highly sought after due to the limited release of 1.3 million coins by the Royal Mint to enter circulation via Post Office’s 11,500 branches. The maximum coin mintage is set at 5,000,070 coins – in a special nod to the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
Post Office branches in Windsor and close to Sandringham are among the first to get the new coin.
Postmaster Umesh Sanghani and his wife Rashmita have run Dedworth Green Post Office in Windsor for 23 years. He said: “We have had many customers coming into our Post Office to check that we are going to get the special 50p coin. They don’t want to miss out on this souvenir. I am a Royalist. It is amazing that the Queen has reached her 70th anniversary. I am really looking forward to the celebrations this year.”
Nick Read, Chief Executive at the Post Office, added: “We are thrilled to be part of the celebrations for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee year and that our 11,500 Post Offices across the whole of the United Kingdom will exclusively start the circulation of this special 50p coin today.
“Postmasters are at the heart of their local communities and have been throughout our 360-year history. I have no doubt that this will be a real honour and privilege for postmasters and their teams.”
