New 50p coins

[hiflier]

Is there any reason why brand-new 50 pence pieces have been put into circulation dated 2011 so early in the year? There do not seem to have been any other coins issued for this year. If the Queen dies before the end of 2011 and new coins have to be struck with the new monarch's head on, would there be two issues of 50 pence pieces in the same year?

[boxtops]

It's not just the 50p, there are always new sets of coins, have a look here http://www.royalmint....ctions/2011coins.aspx

[JonnyBoy12]

Did you hear about the staff at the Royal Mint? They were the only people to go on strike to make less money?

[ABerrant]

2011 dated 50p coins have slowly been released into circulation since October 2010.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11527266

[ladybirder]

Has anybody got one? I put a 50p in a parking machine last week and it didn't register and I had to pay again. On reflection the coin did seem rather light.