Unlock the Secrets of Coin Collecting: The Ultimate Guide to Commemorative Coins

Do you have a passion for history? Perhaps you have a love for the Royal Family? If you pair these interests with the enjoyment of collecting coins, then what better way to add commemorative coins into the mix! Commemorative coins are essentially what their name suggests – coins which commemorate significant moments or events in history. They have been issued in the United Kingdom since 1935, although back then they were only used to mark certain events which held great interest.

Commemorative coins are typically put into three different categories, however, you will often find that these categories cross over. Firstly, you have the everyday currency, which are common circulating coins such as the 50p and two pound coins. Next, you have the non-circulating legal tender coins, such as crowns or 25p coins. Finally, you have tokens or souvenirs which are not legal tender, but are struck by private mints and usually made up of precious metals.

Coins of commemorative value can often be incredibly desirable and sought-after, and usually the significance of the event that they commemorate makes them very desirable on the secondary market. Because of this, and coupled with the fact that they typically have low mintage limitations, they are favoured by avid collectors worldwide. Crowns, five pound coins and two pounds coins are the most popular denominations used for commemorative issues.

How do you start collecting commemorative coins?

Although some numismatists prefer to collect coins based on the metal or denomination alone, commemorative coins signify historic moments and events, so are therefore the best way to increase your collecting game, especially if your interests lie with history or royalty.

When embarking on your commemorative coin collecting journey, you must first decide what specific themes spark your interest. It will make your collecting journey much more enjoyable if you stick to a certain theme, with examples such as royalty or military. The likelihood of you being able to complete your collection is much higher when you stick to a specific theme, and there will be a wide range of options available out there for you.

There are various distributors that you can purchase commemorative coins from, and it is fairly easy for you to find a wide range of websites online. When searching for the best companies to purchase your coins from, you must ensure that they are trustworthy. We would advise you to check the company’s reviews from a site engine such as ‘Trustpilot’, and to look out for any product satisfaction arrangements that they can offer to you, as this can put your mind at ease and reduce the risk of any potential scams.

Specialising in precious metals

So you’ve chosen your favoured theme? That’s a great start! Now it is time to choose which metal you would prefer to collect. Firstly, you need to look at your financial position. This will help you to identify if your budget would be more suited to collecting silver coins as opposed to gold coins, as they are much more affordable and also highly accessible. Silver coins have become popular with collectors not only because of their affordability, but also because silver coins are more often valued as collectable issues. Of course, there is no reason for you not to collect both types of precious metals, we would just advise that you keep separate collections to prevent any inconsistency.

Did you know that silver has been used for monetary purposes since around 700 BC? This precious metal has been used in coinage and other forms of money all over the world.  Sterling Mint has a fantastic variety of exclusive and sought-after silver coins and medals, mostly with very limited mintages, so is the best place to buy silver coins and expand your collection.

If you are a fan of military history, then a good option for you to consider is the Queen Elizabeth II 2015 Silver Crown, which is the only official UK coin to mark the bicentenary of Waterloo, released to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. Alternatively, we also have available another Queen Elizabeth 2015 Silver Crown, this time designed to celebrate Her Majesty becoming the longest reigning monarch in British history. This is the first time a commemorative coin has been minted for such an occasion. 

With such a wide spectrum of silver coins to choose from, there has never been a better time for collecting silver. Sometimes, numismatists will simply just favour silver coins over others, or have started their collecting journey with silver coins, and prefer to follow that route rather than have a slightly mismatched collection. Whichever metal you choose, you will find that there are plenty of commemorative editions to get your hands on, and you are more than likely to build a collection that your fellow collectors will be envious of!

Collecting commemorative coins

Commemorative coins are extremely popular in the numismatic world, and whether they have been issued to celebrate a historic event or anniversary, or to commemorate a first, their significance in history and the memories they hold make them a timeless piece in any collection.

At present, the most in-demand commemorative coins are royal themed. After all, this past year has been a pivotal moment in British history; we saw the sad passing of our longest and oldest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, and the accession and coronation of our new monarch, King Charles III. To mark these milestones, we have seen the release of some incredible silver crown coins and five pound coins, with tiny mintages too!

A world-first silver coin that you should consider including in your collection is the 2023 King Charles III Accession Silver One Crown. This is the first of its kind ever to be issued for the accession of a British monarch and is limited to just 999 coins worldwide. Also limited to just 999 coins worldwide is the 2023 King Charles III Coronation Silver One Crown; a coin that is seeped in history and one that is definitely worthy of a place in your collection! Released to commemorate one of the biggest events in history, this is the first of its kind to feature the official Coronation Emblem, designed specifically for our new king.

Our must-have silver commemorative coin recommendation has to be The 2023 King Charles III Double Portrait Silver Five Pound. It is the first of its kind to feature our new king alongside his wife and queen, Camilla. What is even more appealing to coin collection is it’s tiny limitation of just 250 coins worldwide. This ultra-rare example of a double portrait, alongside the fact that it is celebrating the coronation of our king, sets itself apart from all others. These commemorative silver coins will undoubtedly become prized possessions for collectors worldwide, holding immense historical and sentimental value.

Collecting by coin or medal type

If you are not keen on the idea of basing your coin collection on a specific theme, then the best option for you will be to base this on coin or medal type. Examples of this will include a specific coin or denomination i.e. silver crown coins. In the world of numismatics, there are a wide range of denominations for you to choose from. Currently, the crown, the sovereign, and the 50p coin are amongst the most popular options.

We have seen a huge increase in our clients kickstarting their collection with either a five pound coin or a crown coin. The crown itself has a long history, but is now mainly struck as a commemorative coin, celebrating a wide variety of events and anniversaries. Crowns were the highest denomination available before decimalisation, so were primarily used for commemorative editions. Therefore, this denomination is especially popular amongst the royalists out there, as you can build your collection based on the history of British royalty. We have a wide range of different silver crown coins available to suit all preferences, making these the perfect option for your collection.

The most notable silver commemorative coin issued in the UK that we currently have available, and what would make your collection stand out amongst all others, is the King George V 1935 Silver Crown. Not only is this the first commemorative crown coin ever struck, but it was also only ever minted for one year, issued to mark the Silver Jubilee of George V. This crown is now regarded as a symbol of the influence of Art Deco on the design styles of the 1930’s, so if you are interested in royal history, this one is perfect for you.

Once you have decided what preferences suit you best, you can then focus on which direction you want your collection to go. Most of our customers continue to build their collection with either heritage or new strike coins, whereas others are content with collecting something as simple as a penny, or any other circulating coin that can be found from the change in their pocket!