Coins with Churchill and the RNLI revealed by Royal Mint

Rebecca Morgan from the Royal Mint is surprised her binoculars are sub-par

Commemorative coins celebrating Sir Winston Churchill, Buckingham Palace and the RNLI lifeboat charity have been unveiled by the Royal Mint.

They are among five new designs to appear in 2024, which will "celebrate some key events and anniversaries".

The 2024 annual set also includes a 200th anniversary of the National Gallery £2 coin and a Team GB and Paralympics GB 50p coin.

The Royal Mint has been issuing annual sets since 1971.

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coins at the Royal Mint said: "The annual sets have become highly collectable as works of art.

"They are also gifted to people celebrating special occasions in the upcoming year, as they serve as a keepsake of that memorable time."

The coins

Buckingham Palace and the RNLI are acknowledged in the 2024 set

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will have its 200th anniversary in 2024, and the Royal Mint produced an official UK 50p to mark this. Created by John Bergdahl, the design displays the RNLI flag surrounded by a life ring.

The Buckingham Palace £5 coin was designed by artist Henry Gray and features the architecture of Buckingham Palace front and centre of the coin.

The National Gallery and a young Winston Churchill each have a £2 coin

The £2 coin struck to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Winston Churchill depicts a portrait of him as a young man in 1895, in the uniform of the 4th Queen's Own Hussars.

The edge inscription: "Pave the way for peace and freedom," is taken from a remark he made in late 1953, while serving his second term as prime minister. The design was created by Natasha Seaward, a graphic designer at the Royal Mint.

Created by designer, engraver and printmaker Edwina Ellis, the design appearing on the UK £2 features the National Gallery building at the centre of the coin.

As well as marking past events, the annual set recognises the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic games

The Royal Mint said it produced an official UK 50p to celebrate and wish Team GB and Paralympics GB athletes the best of luck at the Paris 2024 Games.

Designed by Charis Tsevis, the 50p depicts two athletes representing the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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