Chancellor Sajid Javid has unveiled the new commemorative 50p coin to mark Britain’s departure from the EU.
Javid originally ordered production of the celebratory coins in advance of the original departure date of October 31.
But the Brexit delay meant about a million coins had to be melted down and the metal put aside until a new exit date was confirmed.
The Chancellor has now unveiled coins bearing the inscription “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” and the date of January 31.
#Budget2018 also announces a new commemorative Brexit 50p coin. See and share the design below 👀👇 pic.twitter.com/wug3p6BUtq
— HM Treasury (@hmtreasury) October 29, 2018
But many people ridiculed the new coin on social media:
The #Brexit50p coins says "Peace, prosperity & friendship with all nations"
This is from a government whose own analysis says Brexit undermines UK security and economic prosperity and who compared the nations of Europe to the nazis during negotiations. https://t.co/czDBxfTqQm— Femi (@Femi_Sorry) January 26, 2020
This 50p is the equivalent of having ‘live, laugh, love’ on your living room walls #brexit50p https://t.co/nk6a3Fov4E
— Rachel Wallis (@rachelwal1) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/davidschneider/status/1221378546016366593
Others, meanwhile, shared alternative ideas for how to spend the coin:
Retailers: want to speed up the filling of that charity box on your counter? Just keep offering me a #brexit50p in my change. I don't even want to touch one.
— Keith Burge (@carryonkeith) January 26, 2020
🇬🇧Watch out for these, friends!🇬🇧
If you get one:1. Give it straight to a charity
or
2. Bash it up (renders it worthless)
or
3. Save it in a jar as a momento of a really ghastly period in our history#brexit50p #BrexitJohnson #notmygovernment #Nevergoing2GiveEUup pic.twitter.com/GWMWzCWvBV
— ☕Carol Hedges (also at @riotgrandma72) (@carolJhedges) January 26, 2020
About three million Brexit coins will enter circulation around the UK from 31 January with a further seven million to be added later in the year.
As part of the launch of the coin, the Royal Mint will open its doors for 24 hours to let people strike their own commemorative Brexit coins.
The European Parliament is expected to vote to approve the Withdrawal Agreement on 29 January, after Boris Johnson signed the treaty paving the way for the UK to leave on January 31.
