Liverpool coining it in for year of culture

Oct 26 2007 by Alex Bell, Liverpool Daily Post

A COMMEMORATIVE coin and a series of 20 collectors’ coins are being released in celebration of Liverpool’s 800th anniversary and Capital of Culture year.

Issued by the London Mint Office, the coins mark the city’s magnificent architecture, illustrious musicians, world famous football clubs and pivotal landmarks.

A single 800th anniversary coin, which features a series of overlapping motifs on one side with two Liver Birds displayed on the reverse, will be released on Monday.

It is designed to capture Liverpool’s origins and includes lettering from the original charter of King John in 1207.

The London Mint Office managing director Simon Mellinger said: “The commemoratives are designed to be collectable pieces reflecting on the many great things about Liverpool.

“Hopefully people who collect them can pass them down to their children and grandchildren so they can appreciate the city in years to come.”

Liverpool’s most distinctive landmark, the Royal Liver Building, will be the first commemorative released with 10,000 copies to be minted as part of a sterling silver collection.

One coin each month will then be released which will feature spectacular landmarks such as St George’s Hall, and the Mersey ferries.

The coins, which are not legal tender and are strictly memorabilia, will be available for £5 each on a first-come first-served basis as of next month.

Details are available on www londonmintoffice.org.uk/liverpool

Customers who collect the whole series of commemoratives will be sent a 500-page book free, entitled Liverpool 800, which has been endorsed by the University of Liverpool.

Earlier this year, the Royal Mint refused to produce a £2 coin for circulation in the Capital of Culture year. A commemorative coin has since been produced by artist Stephen Broadbent and distributed to every Liverpool school pupil in advance of the 800th anniversary celebrations.