Jump to content

Brexit 50p coin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

TheBrexit 50p coinis a commemorativefifty-pence British cointhat was originally struck to mark the plannedwithdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Unionon 31 October 2019. The minting of the Brexit coin was ordered bySajid Javid.[1]A total of 10 million Brexit coins, each stamped with the date 31 October 2019, were planned to be minted.[2][3]In late October 2019, with increasing doubts that Brexit would actually happen on that date, the minting of the coins was "paused".[4]

In late October 2019 it was announced that the coins would be recycled as the United Kingdom would not in fact leave the European Union as planned on 31 October 2019.[5][6]ATreasuryspokesman said that a coin to mark Brexit will still be produced but that it would enter circulation after the UK has left the EU.[5][6]

Relaunch

[edit]

In December 2019 a new Brexit 50p coin was announced after theConservative Partyvictory in thegeneral election.[7]Gold and silver versions of the coins were announced for collectors.[7]In January 2020 Downing Street announced that the coins would start entering circulation on 31 January 2020.[8]

The coin is inscribed with the slogan "Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations", inspired byThomas Jefferson's first presidential inaugural address. The quotation proved controversial for non-Brexit-related reasons, such as the lack of anOxford comma,over whichPhilip Pullmancalled for a boycott of the coin.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^Inman, Phillip (25 October 2019)."Production of Brexit 50p coin paused amid exit uncertainty".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved28 October2019.
  2. ^"Sajid Javid's plan to flood tills with Brexit 50p coins".The Guardian.Press Association. 11 August 2019.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved28 October2019.
  3. ^Hope, Christopher (7 October 2019)."More than 10 million Brexit 50p coins to be minted - three times more than previously thought".The Telegraph.ISSN0307-1235.Retrieved28 October2019.
  4. ^"Brexit coins 'paused' amid uncertainty".25 October 2019.Retrieved28 October2019.
  5. ^ab"Brexit 50p coins to be 'recycled' after PM accepts extension".BBC News.28 October 2019.Retrieved29 October2019.
  6. ^abInman, Phillip (29 October 2019)."Brexit meltdown: 50p coins with 31 October date to be recycled".The Guardian.Retrieved29 October2019.
  7. ^abWaterson, Jim (20 December 2019)."All change: UK tries again with new 50p to mark Brexit date".The Guardian.Retrieved26 January2020.
  8. ^Helm, Toby (26 January 2020)."Brexit: Heseltine says celebrations rub remainers' noses in it".The Guardian.Retrieved26 January2020.
  9. ^"Philip Pullman calls for boycott of Brexit 50p coin over 'missing' Oxford comma".The Guardian.27 January 2020.
[edit]