United Kingdom. The Royal Mint Unveil This Year’s Commemorative Coin Programme

These particular commemorative coins are also included in the 2026 Proof and BU Mint sets.

50 Pence. The 100th anniversary of the Grand Prix in Britain. One of the most popular events in motor racing is the British Grand Prix. Established in 1926 at Brooklands in Surrey, the first purpose-built motor racing venue in the United Kingdom became a fixture on the World Championship calendar in 1950. The first British Grand Prix™ took place at Silverstone in 1948 and although it has been held on other circuits since, Silverstone has produced some of the most exciting moments in Grand Prix history. The design shows how the vehicles used at the British Grand Prix have evolved over the time, featuring a historic racing car that was used in the earlier races alongside a 2026 Formula 1 car.  

50 Pence. 50 years of The King’s Trust. Formerly known as the Prince’s Trust, it was in 1976 that His Majesty King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, used his Navy severance pay of £7,400 to fund several community initiatives that became the foundations of what is today known as The King’s Trust. Over 50 years, the charity has helped more than 1.2 million young people across the UK, supporting them to develop the confidence and skills they need to get ready for work, secure a job or start a business. The coin's reverse features a design by Jessica Gregorio, a graphic designer and former Trust beneficiary, reflecting the journey and aspirations of young people supported by the charity. A flowing stream subtly references the Royal Navy origin story, the sun represents optimism and the light The Trust brings to young lives, whilst clouds symbolise their dreams and ambitions as expressions of hope and possibility. 

£2. 200 years of the Zoological Society London. ZSL’s mission is to help people and wildlife thrive together. Founded by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1826 for ‘the advancement of zoological science’, the international conservation charity now supports wildlife in more than 70 countries across the world. The UK £2 coin celebrating 200 years features three key animals (Sumatran Tiger, Socorro Dove and Partula Snail) that tell a powerful story about ZSL's conservation impact and the coin’s edge inscription reads ‘RESTORING WILDLIFE TOGETHER’. 

£2. The 200th anniversary of HMS Beagle. Throughout its years of active service, HMS Beagle is one of the most important vessels in the history of global exploration and discovery. HMS Beagle set sail on three voyages, although it is best known for its second voyage, whose passengers included Captain Robert Fitzroy and naturalist Charles Darwin. The design displays the ship and comes with an edge inscription that reads ‘THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE’. 

£5. The 100th birthday of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest reigning monarch. Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor on the 21st April 1926, Queen Elizabeth II was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Elizabeth II has appeared on the coins of the UK and countries of the Commonwealth more than any other British monarch. During her reign, five official effigies of the monarch appeared on the United Kingdom’s circulating coins. At the centre of the design on the reverse side features Elizabeth II’s cypher as well as depicting St Edward’s Crown, surrounded by foliage based on the ironwork of the East Door of St George’s Chapel where Elizabeth II is buried. The design also features the inscription EXALTABITUR IN GLORIA, which translated to She will be exalted in glory, whilst the 100 beads surround the design represents the centenary anniversary of Elizabeth II’s birth.

Aside from the 2026 commemorative coins included in the proof and BU mint sets, each option includes all eight definitive denominations of the currently circulating coins ranging from £2 to one penny. The commemorative coins will be available to purchase individually throughout the year. The range of proof and mint sets are available from the 2^nd January, for additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Royal Mint.