The Royal Mint has unveiled a new 50p coin commemorating a century of Grand Prix racing in Britain, marking the first time motorsport has been featured on an official UK coin. The coin, created in partnership with London-based agency Interstate, depicts a vintage racing car from the inaugural 1926 Brooklands race alongside a 2026 Formula 1 car on its tails side.
Rebecca Morgan, director at The Royal Mint, said: “For 100 years, the Grand Prix in Britain has captured the nation’s imagination, from the thundering engines at Brooklands to the wheel-to-wheel battles at Silverstone. This coin is a true landmark for us. It is the first time in The Royal Mint’s history that motorsport has been celebrated on a UK coin, and we couldn’t be prouder to mark such a momentous centenary in this way.”
Alex Patterson, chief executive of Brooklands Museum, expressed delight that the centenary was being celebrated with the museum. “The 1926 race was a defining moment not just for Brooklands but for the development of international motor racing in the UK, and it is fitting that it is commemorated by this very special coin,” he said.
The British Grand Prix has been held at Silverstone since 1948. The gold edition of the coin is crafted from recycled gold sourced from old jewellery and coins, as The Royal Mint works towards producing all collectible gold coins from recycled gold by the end of the year. The coin is on sale now, with prices starting at £15 and reaching £2,420 for the gold proof edition. It is available until August 2 at The Royal Mint Experience.
