Plan to mint millions of special 50p Brexit coins for 31 October

Millions of 50p Brexit coins are to be minted in time to mark Britain’s departure from the European Union.

The coins will still carry the words “Friendship with all nations” but will be stamped with the new departure date of 31 October 2019.

The chancellor, Sajid Javid, has asked officials to consider whether it will be possible to produce the coins in volume ready for the UK’s scheduled EU leaving date of 31 October.

Former chancellor Philip Hammond had planned a limited edition of 10,000 commemorative coins to be sold to collectors for £10 each.

Javid’s revised proposal for the coins to be produced for mass circulation is being seen as a statement of intent that the Treasury is committed to Brexit.

The Royal Mint regularly issues special coins to mark national moments notably a new set of coins which celebrate the London 2012 Olympics, including one that explained football’s offside rule.

A 50p coin was minted when the UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973 and when the UK held the presidency of the EU in 1998.

Via The Telegraph