Huge prices for some new 2026 Royal Mint coins – full details | UK | News
The Royal Mint has unveiled five new UK coin designs for 2026, marking significant anniversaries including the bicentenary of the Zoological Society London (ZSL) and the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth. Two new 50p coins will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the British Grand Prix and the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust, while two new £2 coins will celebrate 200 years of the ZSL and the 200th anniversary of HMS Beagle.
The first £5 coin to be released by the Mint in 2026 honours 100 years since the birth of Queen Elizabeth II. For the first time, The Royal Mint has crafted 52 gold commemorative versions of the 2026 collection using recycled gold.
Working in partnership with Sempsa, the gold used in the annual sets has been recycled from old jewellery and coins. The Royal Mint aims to manufacture all gold commemorative coins from recycled gold by the end of 2026.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint said: “This is an exciting moment for the nation to discover some of the anniversaries that will be celebrated on UK coins in 2026. Whether you’re a royal enthusiast, a motor racing fan, or passionate about conservation, there’s something for everyone in this collection.
“Coins have a unique ability to mark a variety of themes that resonate across different communities and interests, creating lasting reminders of the moments and institutions that shape our shared heritage.”
She added: “We are also delighted to be introducing recycled gold into a limited number of commemorative coins. This move demonstrates our commitment to a more sustainable future for The Royal Mint, preserving finite precious metal resources and supporting a circular economy.”
In 2024, a reformation metals facility was inaugurated at the Mint’s manufacturing site in South Wales, where gold is reclaimed from end-of-life technology such as laptops, TVs and mobile phones, and utilised in jewellery and lifestyle products.
In collaboration with Betts Metals, the Mint also incorporates silver from industrial and medical X-ray films in products like the silver sixpence. The 2026 commemorative sets will be available for purchase in a variety of precious metal and base proof finishes, from January 2 on The Royal Mint’s website, with prices commencing from £39.50.
The limited edition 22-carat gold coin set is priced at £14,500. Each of the coins will be available individually throughout 2026, except for The King’s Trust 50p which is only available as part of the Mint’s annual set.
The coins are exclusively available for purchase, rather than being released into general circulation. The obverse side of each commemorative coin in the set features the official coinage portrait of the King.
From January 2, visitors to The Royal Mint Experience in Wales will have the opportunity to strike their own 2026-dated £1 coin.
The Royal Mint 2026 annual set designs
The 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II £5 coin
Born on 21 April 1926, Queen Elizabeth II has graced more UK coins than any other British monarch, according to the Mint. During her reign, five official coinage portraits of the monarch have been featured on the UK’s circulating coins.
The design showcases Elizabeth II’s cypher and depicts St Edward’s Crown, encircled by foliage inspired by the ironwork of the East Door of St George’s Chapel, where the late Queen is interred.
The design bears the inscription: ‘Exaltabitur in gloria,’ which translates to: ‘She will be exalted in glory’. One hundred beads encircle the design, symbolising the centenary of the queen’s birth.
200 years of the ZSL £2 coin
Celebrating its bicentennial in 2026, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is dedicated to fostering coexistence between people and wildlife. Established by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1826 for ‘the advancement of zoological science’, the conservation charity now aids wildlife in over 70 countries worldwide.
The UK £2 coin commemorating 200 years features three key animals – the Sumatran tiger, Socorro dove and partula snail. The coin’s inscription reads: ‘Restoring wildlife together.’
HMS Beagle 200th anniversary £2 coin
HMS Beagle was utilised for exploration and discovery, and during its active service years, the ship’s passengers included naturalist Charles Darwin. The Beagle was launched in 1820, refitted as a surveying vessel and undertook its first commission in 1826.
The coin’s design features the ship and includes an edge inscription that reads ‘The voyage of the Beagle’.
100 Years of the Grand Prix in Britain 50p
The coin’s design illustrates the evolution of vehicles used at the British Grand Prix over time, showcasing a historic racing car from earlier races alongside a 2026 Formula 1 car.
50 Years of The King’s Trust 50p
In 1976, King Charles III utilised his Navy severance pay to finance several community initiatives that laid the groundwork for what is now known as The King’s Trust (previously The Prince’s Trust).
Over the last 50 years, the charity has assisted more than 1.2 million young people across the UK, helping them build the confidence and skills necessary to prepare for work, secure employment, or establish a business.
The reverse of the coin features a design by Jessica Gregorio, a graphic designer and former beneficiary of the trust, which reflects the journey and aspirations of young people supported by the charity.
A flowing stream references the Royal Navy origin story, the sun represents optimism and the light the trust brings to young lives, while clouds symbolise dreams and ambitions.
