The Royal Mint has today unveiled the UK’s first-ever LGBTQ+ commemorative coin, boasting celebratory rainbow artwork aptly created in the colours of the LGBTQ+ flag. Designed by Dominique Holmes, an LGBTQ+ activist, artist and writer based in East London, the brand new coin will mark 50 years of Pride in the UK, and the first time the community has been celebrated on official UK coinage.
In addition to the colours of the flag, the coin also features a special nod to Pride in London’s values of Protest, Visibility, Unity, and Equality, each stamped within the five rainbows emblazoned on the coin, alongside white, pink and blue stripes prominently placed to represent the transgender community.
While the coin will unfortunately not enter circulation, it will be available to purchase via the Royal Mint website – with the Royal Mint pledging to make a financial contribution of £40,000 to London LGBT Community Pride as part of the launch. The special launch will boast a variety of metals for the coin, including gold, silver, and brilliant uncirculated versions.
Asad Shaykh, Director of Marketing and Communications at Pride in London said, “It was a privilege to visit The Royal Mint as part of our partnership and see our coin being made.
“It humbles me greatly that the words that I coined for the brand, PROTEST, VISIBILITY, UNITY & EQUALITY – will be on an actual coin, opposite the Queen. This queer brown immigrant has come a long way, powered by hope, love and this city. Nowhere in the world had this been possible, except the UK. Pride in London feels very proud today.”
Clare Maclennan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said, “The 50th Anniversary of Pride UK is a milestone celebration, and it is a privilege to mark 50 years of progress with this 50p coin. This is the first ever UK coin dedicated to Britain’s LGBTQ+ community, with colour printing technology capturing the spirit of Pride UK with its iconic rainbow colours.
“It was an honour to host representatives from Pride in London at The Royal Mint recently to strike their own coins as part of the launch and discuss with them our commitment to diversity and inclusion within the business and show how we are reinventing for the future.”
For those wanting to get their hands on the collectable coin, you can sign up now for updates on the launch – which is expected sometime this summer.