2023 UK Annual BU Coin Set

The 2023 United Kingdom Brilliant Uncirculated Annual Coin Set

The 2023 Annual Sets contain specially selected commemorative coins that celebrate icons, events and anniversaries of British cultural and historic significance. Serving as a physical representation of The Royal Mint’s dedication to its craft, innovation and quality, these sets are a highly anticipated release that marks another chapter in numismatic history each year. This year’s Annual Sets notably feature Martin Jennings’ definitive effigy of His Majesty The King for the first time.

Curated exclusively for the 2023 Annual Sets, this set comprises five commemorative coins that celebrate anniversaries, events and icons of British cultural and historical significance. These include the 75th birthday of His Majesty King Charles III, 75 years of the Windrush generation, 75 years of the NHS, the life and legacy of JRR Tolkien, and the centenary of Flying Scotsman. Packaging that delves into the story behind each theme complements the coins.

The 75th Birthday of His Majesty King Charles III
Just six months after his coronation, His Majesty The King will celebrate his 75th birthday on 14 November 2023. Having previously served as the United Kingdom’s longest-serving heir apparent in history, King Charles III now embarks on a new journey where he has pledged his ‘lifelong service’ to the people of the UK and the Commonwealth. We proudly pay tribute to this newly crowned monarch on this personal milestone with a £5 crown featuring a heraldic design by The Royal Mint’s Dan Thorne, featuring artwork personally approved by His Majesty.

Celebrating the Life and Work of JRR Tolkien
As the maker of Middle-earth, the father of modern fantasy fiction and an accomplished scholar and philologist, JRR Tolkien is best known for creating the seminal fantasy novel The Hobbit in 1937 and the immensely popular The Lord of the Rings in 1954–55. In honour of Tolkien’s intellect and imagination, this UK £2 coin features a design by the artist David Lawrence, which features Tolkien’s unique monogram encircled by a skilfully designed runic band. ‘NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST’, a quote taken from the poem ‘The Riddle of Strider’, which features in Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring, serves as the coin’s edge inscription.

Celebrating the Centenary of Flying Scotsman
Currently the oldest working locomotive on the United Kingdom’s mainline railways, Flying Scotsman is no stranger to breaking railway records. Revered by both rail enthusiasts and members of the British public, the most famous locomotive in the world celebrates its centenary in 2023, and endures as a symbol of the great age of steam. Featuring a design by the experienced coinage artist John Bergdahl, this UK £2 coin features a fitting edge inscription: ‘LIVE FOR THE JOURNEY’.

75 Years of the National Health Service
Since 5 July 1948, the National Health Service (NHS) has provided vital care for millions of people throughout the United Kingdom. Admired by the nation particularly for its efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic, the NHS celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2023 which we are commemorating with the release of a UK 50p coin. Featuring a reverse design by The Royal Mint’s Alice Lediard, the coin represents a numismatic tribute to the incredible dedication of NHS workers, past and present.

75 Years of the Windrush Generation
On 21 June 1948, a ship called HMT Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury in Essex after arriving from Jamaica. The ship has become symbolic of its passengers and their subsequent generations who have played a pivotal role in shaping the United Kingdom since the Second World War. This UK 50p coin commemorates 75 years since the ship’s arrival and features a design by the artist Valda Jackson, which depicts two of the ship’s passengers set against a backdrop of the Union flag.

THE OBVERSE
Uniting the aesthetic appeal of the specially selected coins for this year’s sets is the historic first definitive coinage portrait of His Majesty The King, created by British sculptor Martin Jennings. This marks the first time a new monarch has appeared on the obverse of a UK coin in almost 70 years and the 2023 Annual Sets is consequently the first Annual Sets release to feature the left-facing King Charles III effigy.