2024 United Kingdom Commemorative Coin Sets

What makes the 2024 commemorative set special?

The 2024 set celebrates a diverse range of British achievements, from royal heritage and artistic excellence to sporting prowess and lifesaving heroism. It includes milestone anniversaries like the National Gallery's 200th birthday, Winston Churchill's 150th birthday, and the RNLI's 200 years of service.

How many coins are in the 2024 commemorative set?

The standard Brilliant Uncirculated set includes 5 commemorative coins: one �5 coin, two �2 coins, and two 50p coins. The complete 13-coin annual set also includes the 8 definitive coins from 2024.

What is the significance of each 2024 commemorative coin?

• Buckingham Palace £5: Celebrates the official London residence of British monarchs, a symbol of the monarchy and British heritage.
• Winston Churchill £2: Marks 150 years since the birth of Britain's legendary wartime Prime Minister in 1874.
• National Gallery £2: Commemorates 200 years since the gallery opened in 1824, making art accessible to everyone.
• RNLI 50p: Honors 200 years of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's lifesaving work at sea since 1824.
• Team GB/ParalympicsGB 50p: Celebrates British athletes competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Who designed these commemorative coins?

Each coin features unique reverse designs by talented artists:

• Henry Gray - Buckingham Palace £5
• Natasha Seaward - Winston Churchill £2
• Edwina Ellis - National Gallery £2
• John Bergdahl - RNLI 50p
• Charis Tsevis - Team GB/ParalympicsGB 50p

All coins feature the obverse portrait of King Charles III by Martin Jennings.

What do the edge inscriptions on the £2 coins mean?

The Winston Churchill £2 features "PAVE THE WAY FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM" - a powerful reminder of Churchill's leadership during World War II.

The National Gallery £2 carries "MAIORVM GLORIA POSTERIS LVMEN EST" - a Latin phrase meaning "The glory of ancestors is a light to posterity," reflecting the gallery's mission to preserve and share artistic heritage.

Can these coins be used as legal tender?

Yes, all coins in this set are official UK legal tender at their face values (£5, £2, and 50p). However, due to their commemorative nature and collectible value, they are typically kept in pristine condition rather than spent.

Does purchasing this set support any charities?

Yes! The Royal Mint makes charitable contributions from each annual set sold:

• £0.36 (excluding VAT) per set to British Paralympic Enterprises Limited (affiliated with the British Paralympic Association, registered charity 802385 England/Wales)
• £0.46 per set to RNLI (Sales) Ltd, which pays all taxable profits to the RNLI charity

What is the significance of the Buckingham Palace coin?

Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of British monarchs since Queen Victoria first took up residence in 1837. Originally known as Buckingham House, the building was purchased by George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte, before George IV commissioned its conversion into a palace in 1826. The palace features 19 State Rooms used for ceremonial and official occasions, most notably the Ballroom and the White Drawing Room. It has hosted countless historic moments, from royal weddings to jubilee celebrations, and continues to serve as the administrative headquarters of the monarchy under King Charles III, who holds weekly meetings with the Prime Minister there.

What is the significance of the Winston Churchill coin?

The 2024 Winston Churchill £2 coin marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of one of Britain's most iconic leaders. Born on 14 November 1874 at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, Churchill led Britain to victory in the Second World War and served as Prime Minister from 1940-1945 and again from 1951-1955. His remarkable career spanned military service, journalism, and politics, representing five constituencies and serving under 13 prime ministers. In 1953, he was awarded both the Order of the Garter and the Nobel Prize for Literature. The coin's edge inscription, "PAVE THE WAY FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM," reflects his enduring legacy as a champion of liberty and democracy.

What is the significance of the National Gallery coin?

The 2024 National Gallery £2 coin celebrates 200 years since the gallery first opened its doors in 1824. Founded after the House of Commons purchased banker John Julius Angerstein's collection of 38 paintings, the gallery was established with the revolutionary mission of making art accessible to everyone, regardless of wealth or social standing. Originally housed at 100 Pall Mall, the gallery moved to its iconic Trafalgar Square location in 1838, chosen specifically because it would be accessible to both rich and poor. Today, the National Gallery holds more than 2,300 paintings spanning from the mid-13th to early 20th century, including masterpieces by Turner, Constable, Van Gogh, and Monet. The coin's Latin edge inscription, "MAIORVM GLORIA POSTERIS LVMEN EST" (The glory of ancestors is a light to posterity), perfectly captures the gallery's mission to preserve artistic heritage for future generations.

What is the significance of the RNLI coin?

The 2024 RNLI 50p coin honors 200 years of courage and lifesaving at sea. Founded in 1824 by Sir William Hillary after witnessing several shipwrecks along the Manx coast while living on the Isle of Man, the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (later renamed the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in 1854) has saved more than 144,000 lives. Operating entirely as a charity relying on donations, the RNLI's volunteer crews are available 24/7, with 97% of frontline lifesavers being volunteers who heroically give up their free time to save lives at sea, regardless of weather conditions. In 2001, the RNLI expanded its services to include beach patrols, promoting beach safety and preventing accidents. The coin's design features the RNLI flag circled by a lifebuoy, symbolizing two centuries of unwavering dedication to saving lives.

What is the significance of the Team GB and ParalympicsGB coin?

The 2024 Team GB and ParalympicsGB 50p coin celebrates British athletes competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Olympics returned to Paris for the third time, exactly 100 years after the city last hosted in 1924, marking the first time France has hosted the summer Paralympic Games. Team GB aims to unite the nation through the power of Olympic sport, with British athletes competing in 319 events across 32 sports. ParalympicsGB represents a sporting revolution that began with Sir Ludwig Guttmann at Stoke Mandeville Hospital over 70 years ago, and today stands as a world-leading team winning medals across a record-breaking range of sports. The coin's dynamic design features two runners in motion against the Union Jack flag with the Eiffel Tower, symbolizing British athletic excellence on the world stage and the power of sport to inspire and unite the nation.

What are the MJ initials on the coins?

Each coin features the definitive coinage portrait of His Majesty The King designed by Martin Jennings, signified by his initials "MJ" on the obverse.