The Royal Mint has launched a new commemorative 50p coin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Pride movement in the UK.
The coin features five rainbows and the colours of the Pride flag on its reverse side. The other side has the traditional image of the Queen.
It is available to purchase now through The Royal Mint website and includes gold, silver, and brilliant uncirculated versions.
The starting price for a brilliant uncirculated version is £10, rising to £2,185 for a gold proof piedfort coin.
Five million coins will enter general circulation later this year - it’s at this point where you’re more likely to find one in your spare change.
The design of the coin was the creation of Dominique Holmes, an east London artist, writer, and LGBTQ+ activist.
She said: “Working to the scale of a 50 pence piece was interesting for me as I’m used to working on a larger scale.
“The main challenge was ensuring that the important messages of protest and visibility could be clearly understood on the coin.
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“I had to keep a 50p next to me at all times as I worked to keep my sketches in check! Seeing the design and the message of Protest and Pride on the coin itself was quite moving.
“Growing up in the 80s and 90s in the UK, I never saw this sort of positive LGBTQ+ representation, and I feel very proud to have worked on something that celebrates and commemorates such an historic moment for the LGBTQ+ community and the Pride movement so publicly.
“This is a significant milestone in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and equality.
"Pride means so much to me and to so many people across the UK and beyond, and it’s important that we take time to celebrate the progress made over the last 50 years, whilst continuing the important work for our community."
Nicola Howell, Chief Commercial Officer at The Royal Mint said: “It has been a pleasure working with Dominique on the 50th Anniversary of Pride coin.
“Their design is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Pride UK, and we know how excited collectors will be to find one in their change.
“We are always looking to work with talented British artists from a range of backgrounds who are passionate about bringing their own diverse experiences to life on an official UK coin.”
