A special 50p coin to help commemorate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee is set to enter circulation next month.
It is the first coin issued to celebrate a royal event as Her Majesty marks 70 years on the thrown.
Released through post offices this February, the 50p piece features the number 70 engraved on the tails side to mark the special, unprecedented occasion.
Designed by artists Osborne Ross, the coin is one of two limited edition 50ps to be released as part of the Royal Mint collection.
However, the second coin by artist John Bergdahl will not enter circulation.
Coin number two is engraved with an image of the Queen on horseback on its heads side.
The Platinum Jubilee is the first royal event to be commemorated by a 50p coin, the Royal Mint said.
It said the coins were likely to become highly sought after as collector’s items to be “cherished for generations to come”.
They will only be available to customers making transactions at UK post offices and cannot be swapped for other 50p coins.
Director of UK currency, Mark Loveridge, said: “Coins tell the story of our nation and we are delighted to be working with the Post Office to mark this special royal occasion.”
He added: “This special 50 pence features an elegant and bold number 70 in celebration of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee year, and we expect it to become one of the nation’s most collectable coins.
“We are delighted that 1.3 million coins bearing this unique design will be accessible at post offices across the UK.”
Nick Read, chief executive at the Post Office, said: “We are thrilled to be part of the celebrations for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee year and that our 11,500 post offices across the whole of the United Kingdom will exclusively start the circulation of this special 50p coin.”
He added: “Postmasters are at the heart of their local communities and have been throughout our 360-year history. I have no doubt that this will be a real honour and privilege for postmasters and their teams."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
