Brexit 50p coin sparks huge queues with Brits paying £945 for special edition version
The coins, ranging from a £945 gold proof coin to a 'Brilliant Uncirculated' 50p being sold at £10, went on sale to mark the day the UK leaves the European Union
by Brett Gibbons, https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/authors/brett-gibbons/Collectors are rushing to snap up the new Brexit 50p coin with long queues forming on the Royal Mint website.
The controversial coin is available to purchase from today and Brexiteers have logged on in their thousands to buy limited edition versions of the special 50p piece.
The Royal Mint site has a queuing page for the coins, with more than 6,000 people waiting up to 20 minutes for access to the online store.
The coins, ranging from a £945 gold proof coin to a 'Brilliant Uncirculated' 50p being sold at £10 went on sale to mark the day the UK leaves the European Union and thousands have joined the queue to get their hands on one.
A note on the page says: "The wait is almost over, you’ll be able to enter our website very soon. In the meantime you have been placed in a queue. Please do not hit refresh or reload this page as it will increase your wait time. Thank you for your patience."
The Brexit 50p pieces were unveiled by the Royal Mint last year as a 'permanent record of notable events'. The design on the coins features the words: "Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” along with the date January 31.
Clare Maclennan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint said: “The Royal Mint has been marking significant events in British history for over 1,000 years, and has a history of commemorating the UK's relationship with the EU through coinage.”
The coin will be available as gold and silver Proof editions, as well as a Brilliant Uncirculated edition and as part of a two-coin historic set.
In addition, a number of gold Sovereigns will be struck on the day and these particular coins will feature a portcullis privy mark.
The Royal Mint is also selling a two-coin pack that includes the original 1973 coin to celebrate the UK joining the European Economic Community.