Rare centenary 50p coin worth thousands is a British first | UK | News

The Royal Mint has launched a brand new 50p coin marking a century of Grand Prix racing on British soil. The coin marks the first time motorsport has appeared on an official UK coin.

The British Grand Prix 50p was produced in collaboration with London-based agency Interstate. The “tail” side of the coin reflects the full scope of Grand Prix heritage and technological advancement and depicts a vintage racing car from the first Brooklands race in 1926, positioned next to the 2026 Formula 1 car. Rebecca Morgan, director of The Royal Mint, said: “For 100 years the British Grand Prix has captured the nation’s imagination, from roaring engines at Brooklands to wheel-to-wheel duels at Silverstone.” Liverpool Echo.

“This coin is a real milestone for us. It is the first time in the Royal Mint’s history that motorsport has been celebrated on a UK coin and we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate such an important centenary in this way.

“Whether you are a dedicated collector or a Formula 1 fan counting down the days until the weekend race, this coin is a must-have piece of history that you can hold in your hand.”

Alex Patterson, managing director of Brooklands Museum, said: “We are thrilled that the Royal Mint has chosen to celebrate this very special centenary celebration with Brooklands Museum.

“The 1926 race was a defining moment not only for Brooklands but also for the development of international motor racing in the UK and it is fitting that this is commemorated with this very special coin.”

The British Grand Prix has been held at Silverstone since 1948. The gold version of the British Grand Prix 50p is made from recycled gold from old jewelery and coins.

The Royal Mint has announced that it aims to produce all collectible gold coins from recycled gold by the end of the year. The coin is currently available to buy, with prices starting from £15 and rising to £2,420 for the gold-proof version.

The British Grand Prix 50p is available to purchase from The Royal Mint Experience until 2 August.