Commemorative Coins

[Ashley Hill]

Simple question, why are all commemorative coins that are issued in the UK only valid on off-shore islands such as Alderney,Ascention Island and on Gibraltar?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Presumably because the firms issuing them / marketing them to collectors are based here in the UK. Invariably the information that the coins that they are selling are only legal tender on some random offshore island is buried away deep in the small print.

 

[Essan]

Because they are basically scams to con the gullible. Especially those issued by Gibraltar, Guernsey or Tristan da Cunha ..... They're really not worth anything. Since you can't spend them.

And even proper UK commemorative coins, issued by the Royal Mint, are intended only as "souvenirs".

This is well worth reading:

...although the silver UK coins we produce in denominations of £5, £20, £50 and £100 are approved as legal tender, they have been designed as limited edition collectables or gifts and will not be entering general circulation. As such, UK shops and banks are unlikely to accept them.'

~ ~ ~

While it is legal tender, this does not mean that it can be put in your wallet, taken into a shop and used to pay for anything, and banks will not take them over the counter.

Can I pay the taxman in £20 and £100 commemorative coins?

I bought £20 and £100 coins from the Royal Mint in 2015, but have been unable to use them as bank branches refuse to take them. Can I do anything except sell them?

www.dailymail.co.uk

Presumably because the firms issuing them / marketing them to collectors are based here in the UK. Invariably the information that the coins that they are selling are only legal tender on some random offshore island is buried away deep in the small print.

Most serious coin collectors are not interested in them anyway - they only collect coins that were intended for general circulation.

 

[Ashley Hill]

I remember obtaining £5 coins from the post office sometime in the mid 80s. These I used to buy Rail Enthusiast mags from the newsagents next door as I wanted to impress the girl who worked there. Sort of shot myself in the foot there really. I don't think these were commemorative though.
My parents bought me the Queens jubilee coin as a potential investment for when I was older. I gather they're not worth a lot either.

 

[C J Snarzell]

I remember obtaining £5 coins from the post office sometime in the mid 80s. These I used to buy Rail Enthusiast mags from the newsagents next door as I wanted to impress the girl who worked there. Sort of shot myself in the foot there really. I don't think these were commemorative though.
My parents bought me the Queens jubilee coin as a potential investment for when I was older. I gather they're not worth a lot either.

I seem to remember having a £5 coin in my possession many years ago, which was issued to mark the Queen's golden jubilee in 2002.

I have a feeling they may issue some commemorative coins for her Majesty's 70th anniversary next year.

Given this is probably the last time a UK, if not a world Monarch, will reach 70 years on the throne, I suspect any memorabilia will become quite valuable in the future.

CJ

 

[Bevan Price]

I remember obtaining £5 coins from the post office sometime in the mid 80s. These I used to buy Rail Enthusiast mags from the newsagents next door as I wanted to impress the girl who worked there. Sort of shot myself in the foot there really. I don't think these were commemorative though.
My parents bought me the Queens jubilee coin as a potential investment for when I was older. I gather they're not worth a lot either.

Coins are most likely to become valuable when only a few are minted.

So if you every find one of the King Edward VIII "proof sample coins" that "escaped", you can probably take a long holiday from work. (Especially the brass 12-sided 3d pieces.)

 

[calopez]

In 1977 I got a tube of Silver Jubilee crowns - which were legal tender - and dished them out in change from the booking office.