FAQs

In 2019, the collection returns and 2.1 million Great British Coin Hunt 2019 A-Z 10p coins will be released into circulation, allowing the public the chance to collect the coins in their change.

Alternatively, for those who just can’t wait to have the full set, want to complete their collection sooner, or simply purchase a special combination of letters, the Great British Coin Hunt 10p coins will be available to purchase online, via The Royal Mint website www.royalmint.com/coinhunt and in The Royal Mint Experience visitor attraction shop in Llantrisant, South Wales, www.royalmint.com/experience.

The Quintessentially British A-Z 10p coins are back by popular demand and making a return in 2019 to allow the nation to collect the series for another year. The coins are 2019 dated so that The Royal Mint can continue to strike these coins in 2019.

The Silver Proof coins were struck in 2018 to celebrate the new collection. To keep the silver collection both limited and special for our collectors no further silver proof coins will be struck in 2019. However, the 2018 silver proof coins will still be available on sale while stocks last.

The quantities of coins that The Royal Mint is asked to produce each year varies according to UK demand for specific denominations at the time. UK coins have an impressive lifespan so they don’t need replacing as often as other forms of currency. This, together with the ongoing decline in the number of cash transactions in the UK each year, means that the UK Banks and Post Office’s may not request every denomination every year if there is already sufficient coin in circulation.

The Quintessentially British A-Z 10p coins are back by popular demand and making a return in 2019 to allow the nation to continue to collect the series for another year.

The Uncirculated coins are supplied in a bag for customers who just want to purchase the coins but customers can also purchase a collector album to keep or display their coins inside. Part of the fun is to use the coins to fill up your album.

First released in March 2018, The Great British Coin Hunt A to Z 10p collection, with 26 individually designed coins, each with a quintessentially British subject, is the first ever commemorative range struck on a 10 pence piece. This year, we are offering an exciting opportunity to collect the highly collectable 2019 coins from the A to Z series.

Therefore, if you are looking to start or complete your collection, then the A-Z collection is great way to introduce/continue your coin collecting hobby.

We are hoping that the Great British Coin Hunt will appeal to people of all ages and felt that having an Uncirculated coin to purchase at a lower price point would appeal to more people and encourage them to complete the full collection.

The great news for collectors keen to complete their sets is that there is no limit to the mintage of the collectable Uncirculated A-Z coins.

Yes. As the reverse designs on the coins are the same as the 2018 A-Z coins, the app will still recognise the 2019 version of the coins.

There are plans to update the app later this year.

In 2019 we are offering a new collector album for customers who want to collect the whole series and have an album in which to store or display the coins. The album has a new album cover and a few subtle changes inside to discover.

Yes. The 2018 collection can be available to purchase at www.royalmint.com/coinhunt

There is an unlimited mintage set against the collectable Uncirculated Great British Coin Hunt A-Z 2019 10p coins made. However, 2.1 million circulating versions of the coins will be released into circulation from February 2019.

The Great British Coin Hunt collector album will store all of your coins, and is available at royalmint.com/coinhunt

The Great British Coin Hunt 10p coins will be rolling out into circulation across the country, and will be available at selected Post Offices and cash distribution centres from February 2019 onwards.

Yes, an additional 2.1 million 2019 dated A-Z coins will be entering circulation in 2019. However, visitors to The Royal Mint Experience will be able to get their hands on one of these special 10ps as they will be heading into tills in the gift shop and café. Additionally, The Royal Mint Experience will be holding Coin Swaps events. For more information about when these will be taking place, please visit www.royalmint.com/experience

No. Due to the unlimited mintage of the commemorative A-Z 10p coins, there are no restrictions as to how many coins or collector albums can be purchased.

The coin designs were created by a team that includes at its core The Royal Mint’s own highly skilled team of coin designers, who have been responsible for some of the UKs iconic commemorative and circulating coin designs. Each coin in the series has its own unique story and personality and the letters integrate with and form part of the design. The designs for each letter were submitted for selection and approval by the independent Royal Mint Advisory Committee, before going for final approval by Her Majesty The Queen.

To mark the London 2012 Games, The Royal Mint struck a set of 29 designs featuring Olympic and Paralympic sports onto a set of commemorative 50p coins. A number of them also entered circulation. The coins were the talk of Britain amongst families, neighbours, colleagues and friends, capturing the imagination of the nation, as people from all generations checked their change enthusiastically for the designs they were ‘missing’ from their collection. Those who simply wished to obtain a full set for themselves had fun buying the commemorative coin editions for themselves.

A year on from the games, 70% of the circulating editions had disappeared from the nation’s change, seized by would-be coin collectors for their piggy banks, collector folders and money boxes, indicating the popularity of coin hunting with the British public.

‘The Great British Coin Hunt’ provides a similar challenge to collect A to Z designs, struck onto the popular, easily accessible, 10p piece.

The A to Z, 26 letter alphabet was considered to be a fun way of engaging adults and children. Inspiration for the designs was taken from just some of the many possibilities that might reflect Quintessentially British themes, and thought likely to create public debate.

Unfortunately, we cannot comment on any future series.

Following the success of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics 50p coin programme, the Great British Coin Hunt was devised to engage the UK population with the coins in their pocket and renew public interest in coins.

Designers are frequently invited to participate in a design competition and this was no different. We invited designers to join the design team and participate in the design process. All design concepts were then anonymously reviewed by an independent external panel of experts, The Royal Mint Advisory Committee, who made the final design selections.

In line with the formal coinage design approvals process, a small number of entries were shortlisted by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee (RMAC).

The new designs have been approved by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and have received formal Royal approval from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in line with the standard approvals process for UK coin designs.

In line with the formal coinage design approvals process, a small number of entries were shortlisted by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee (RMAC).

The new designs have been approved by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and have received formal Royal approval from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in line with the standard approvals process for UK coin designs.

The Royal Mint works with a number of professional artists on an ongoing basis.

This was not one of the occasions when public consultation took place, however a public survey was conducted to establish what everyday symbols were important to the Great British public.

Our final selection was very much based around the stories associated with each letter and was chosen by the independent Royal Mint Advisory Committee.

We wanted the series to have wide appeal, be fun and engaging and therefore the story behind each coin is important. Each design is injected with quirky British personality and not all the designs are obvious - they are intended to create debate and stimulate interest from the public.

This collection does not celebrate individuals, as it would have been impossible to choose from so many inspirational and iconic British men and women that have played an important role in our country. Instead, the collection focuses on symbols of British life – from the Angel of the North to a cup of tea – which we feel represent both men and women of every background and ethnicity.

The series focuses on what is Quintessentially British and is intended to have a strong British sentiment. We didn’t want to make the series about the 4 nations of the UK but celebrate Britain and Britishness as a whole. Some designs are specific to a location in the UK but as a whole the series goes beyond geography and is a celebration of UK history, our personality and traditions.

The 26 10p coins are available for purchase in an Uncirculated finish.

Customers can purchase the collectable Uncirculated coins from The Royal Mint website as a coin only option where the coin will come in a zip lock bag. The coins are being presented in very basic packaging because we are encouraging customers place their coins in the special edition collector album. For customers wishing to make up special name displays, there are options such as collector albums and name frames available too.

Nickel has been used in UK coinage for over 60 years. Independent tests have been conducted by three separate accredited laboratories in response to concerns of the nickel-plated steel 10 pence coins posing a potential health risk.

Results showed no increased risk to people from handling nickel-plated steel coins. The Heath Protection Agency also concluded that there is no increased risk from nickel-plated steel coins.

Yes. The initial coins going into circulation will be distributed through the Post Office network and cash distribution centres. In addition to this, you will be guaranteed to find them in your change, at The Royal Mint Experience.

The Royal Mint’s Great British Coin Hunt is designed to get the nation talking about its change, but we do realise that this means that some designs may prove elusive to those collecting them. So that no one is disappointed, we are making additional Uncirculated coins of each letter which will be available for those who wish to complete their collection. There is however a cost to making these available separately.

Circulating coins are usually struck and despatched in high volumes, however the pricing of these A to Z ‘Uncirculated’ coins reflects the cost of The Royal Mint making these available individually.

The Royal Mint has a responsibility to ensure that its pricing reflects the significant investment of time, skill and thought taken in the origination and production of its coins.

‘Double decker’ is a popular name for the familiar London double decker bus. The series is expected to create popular debate on subjects such as this.

The Royal Mint will not condone nor engage with this.

Every effort has been made to work with partners to ensure the safety of the British public across the outlets.

The Royal Mint will neither endorse nor condone such activity.

A public survey was conducted to establish the everyday themes that are important to the Great British public. Our final selection was very much based around the stories associated with each letter, and was chosen by the independent Royal Mint Advisory Committee.

As you can imagine, there were many Quintessentially British themes to choose from – the main thing was that we wanted the British public to engage with their coins, and knew that the final selection would be bound to create debate.

There were many themes that could have been represented, as you can imagine, but it was felt that cricket, robin and queuing may have had the edge. In terms of being linked to Britain over other possible alternatives. The selection is intended to create debate and stimulate interest from the public.