2026 looks set to be another big year for UK coin collectors.
While some Royal Mint releases have already been confirmed, such as the £2 coin for the Royal Zoological Society and the £5 coin celebrating the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II, much of what we will see remains under wraps.
That hasn't stopped collectors from speculating. Drawing on Royal Proclamations, Royal Mint traditions and the timing of previous launches, we've put together this preview of likely 2026 UK coins. Think of it as informed guesswork rather than a definitive list: a way for enthusiasts to get a sense of what to watch for as the year unfolds.
The 2026 Sovereign Family
One of the headline releases for the coming year is the 2026 Sovereign.
It has already been announced that the 2026 Sovereigns will feature a return to the popular yellow-gold colour of historic issues. The Royal Mint's move away from the redder, rose-toned alloy used in recent years has been welcomed by collectors.
While the colour change is confirmed, the reverse design has not yet been unveiled, and there is always a chance that the Mint will deviate from the classic Saint George design. Otherwise, we can likely expect an extensive range, including gold bullion coins, limited-edition proof pieces, and premium Sovereign sets, plus the possibility of a second silver Sovereign, following the release of the first such coin in 2025.
In 2026, The Royal Mint will once again strike their Sovereigns in 22-carat yellow gold, similar to these historic coins.
2026 Britannia Collection
Like Sovereigns, the Britannia series has become a reliable annual highlight since these coins were first issued in 1987, so there was always little doubt of a new Britannia range for 2026.
2026 bullion Britannias have already been released in silver and gold formats. You can buy new investment coins through our bullion partners at Gold Traders UK, with pre-owned coins available on our website.
However, it's the proof Britannias, usually released in the new year, that have the team here at The Britannia Coin Company excited. These coins generally carry a one-year-only reverse, designed by a talented British artist, tasked with reinterpreting the classic Britannia motif. Once the design is revealed, we will also learn the mintage figures for 2026 proof Britannias and sets, which are expected to be available in a range of gold and silver formats.
Browse the range: 2026 Britannias From The Royal Mint
New Portraits Of A Queen Releases
One of the most highly anticipated Royal Mint launches of 2025 was the Portraits of a Queen collection, which celebrated the various official effigies of Queen Elizabeth II that appeared on UK coins throughout her long reign. The first issue, featuring Mary Gillick's first bust, was released in September, with further portraits by Arnold Machin, Raphael Maklouf, Ian Rank-Broadley, and Jody Clark scheduled for release through early 2026.
We already know what these coins will look like, but the exact mintage figures and release dates are still under wraps. If demand for 2026 issues is anything like the 2025 Mary Gillick coin range, then we can expect these coins to be snapped up fast.
Read more: The Portraits Of A Queen Collection
The remaining effigies in the Portraits of a Queen collection will be released monthly until February 2026.
Zoological Society Of London £2
Among the confirmed standalone releases for 2026 is a £2 coin celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Zoological Society of London, founded in 1826.
We know that this 2026 coin is coming thanks to a Royal Proclamation, published in The London Gazette on 11 July 2025. The proclamation describes a range of collectable Two Pounds, featuring a dove, a snail and a tiger, plus an inscription that reads '1826 · ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON · 2026'. The edge inscription is set to read '· RESTORING WILDLIFE TOGETHER'.
Exactly when these coins will be released is still a matter of debate, as is the exact design, but it seems we can expect this Zoological Society £2 to be struck in BU, silver proof, piedfort silver proof and gold proof formats.
Elizabeth II 100th Birthday Range
Another release confirmed by Royal Proclamation is a range of ounce coins that appear to mark the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's birth.
The late Queen was born in 1926, and these coins are said to include the dates '1926 2026', plus a legend that reads ‘QUEEN ELIZABETH II EXALTABITUR IN GLORIA'. The design will feature a depiction of Her Majesty's Royal Cypher, St Edward's crown and 'decorative elements'. The description of some of the larger coins refers to 'a garter belt surrounded by oak tree branches'. Some coins will feature an edge inscription that reads '· A LIFE WELL LIVED, A PROMISE WITH DESTINY KEPT'.
The Proclamation lists an extensive range of pieces by denomination, but the weights and measurements allow us to work out that the collection will include releases from a BU £5 through to a 5kg gold proof coin.
Queen Elizabeth II would have turned 100 in 2026, and a new coin from The Royal Mint will celebrate her centenary.
New Great Engravers Issue
The Royal Mint's Great Engravers series has become a flagship programme for numismatic artistry, revisiting historic British coinage masterpieces. A recent Gazette notice suggests a 2026 release that appears to be a new addition to the collection.
The Proclamation describes this coin as follows:
'... a depiction of the crowned shield of the Royal Arms of the House of Hanover, surrounded by the collar Order of the Garter and a crowned robed mantle accompanied by the inscription "INSIGNIA GULIELMI IV BRITANNIAE REGIS".'
This description points to a tribute to the elusive Crown of King William IV. Because no crowns were struck for circulation during that short reign, genuine proof issues are very scarce and much coveted. A Great Engravers re-issue would allow modern collectors to own an homage in a range of premium finishes, up to a huge 5kg gold coin.
2026 Tudor Beasts Coins
It's likely that the longstanding Royal Tudor Beasts series, inspired by the heraldic sculptures at Hampton Court Palace, will reach its conclusion in 2026. At minimum, we'll see a couple more releases, with the Mortimer Lion and Royal Dragon the only Beasts outstanding from the current proof lineup.
If this series parallels the earlier Queen's Beasts collection, then we can also anticipate a Completer coin to tie things together, either in 2026 or 2027.
2026 Music Legends Releases
The Royal Mint's Music Legends series has become one of its most successful contemporary ranges, with appeal that extends well beyond traditional numismatic circles.
Following 2025's tributes to John Lennon and Iron Maiden, speculation continues about which icons will be chosen for 2026. As always, the Mint keeps details secret until close to launch, but the appetite for rock-and-pop themed designs shows no sign of waning.
New Lunar New Year Coins
The 2026 addition to The Royal Mint's annual Lunar series has already dropped. The 2026 Year of the Horse range, released in September, brings us back to the start of the Chinese zodiac, its dynamic equine design an appealing mix of British and Chinese aesthetics.
That means that this time next year, we can expect to see 2027-dated Year of the Snake coins in the standard BU, silver proof and gold proof finishes.
2026 UK Annual Sets
The Royal Mint's Annual Sets, produced in BU, proof, silver and gold, usually appear at the very end of the preceding year or in early January.
These sets give collectors an early opportunity to secure examples of the year's standard coinage along with the first editions of some key commemorative releases. For many buyers, the Annual Set is the cornerstone of each new collecting year.
The exact commemorative coins that will feature in the 2026 sets have not yet been announced, but we do have some ideas in The Britannia Coin Company office.
2026 Anniversaries And Events
From royal centenaries to technological breakthroughs and cultural milestones, here's our pick of anniversaries and events that could inspire a 2026 Royal Mint coin:
- 13 January – 100 years since the birth of Michael Bond, creator of Paddington Bear
- 21 January – 50 years since Concorde's first commercial supersonic flight
- 22 January – 125 years since the death of Queen Victoria
- 30 January – 200 years since the opening of the Menai Straits Bridge
- 5 March – 90 years since the first flight of the Supermarine Spitfire
- 10 March – 150 years since Alexander Graham Bell's first telephone call
- 8 May – 100 years since broadcaster David Attenborough was born
- 24 May – 150 years since the completion of the Challenger expedition
- 11 June – 250 years since the birth of English painter John Constable
- 14 June – 100 years since the publication of the first Winnie-the-Pooh book
- 4 July – 250 years since the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence
- 12 July – 250 years since Captain Cook set off on his third and final voyage
- 23 July-2 August – Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow, Scotland
- 7 August – 100 years since the first-ever British Grand Prix
- 10 August – 200 years since the first Cowes Regatta was held on the Isle of Wight
- 5 September – 80 years since the birth of Queen's Freddie Mercury
- 5-31 October – 90 years since the Jarrow March protest
- 28 October – 300 years since the publication of Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels
- 26 November – 50 years since the release of the Sex Pistols' Anarchy in the UK
- 19 December – 175 years since the death of English painter JMW Turner
What Coins Will Enter Circulation In 2026?
In recent years, relatively few UK commemorative coins have entered general circulation, but we're hoping this trend changes in 2026.
In 2025, the first Bee £1 coins appeared in tills and pockets, sparking a wave of excitement among collectors. Early rumours of a low mintage only fuelled the frenzy, although those figures later proved inaccurate. A similar buzz surrounded the Atlantic Salmon 50p in 2023, with the first finds in everyday change making headlines.
The response to these designs shows there is still a strong public appetite for special circulating coins. If we want to keep coin collecting vibrant and accessible, a few fresh designs in everyday currency could be just what is needed in 2026.
New Bees £1 coins hit the headlines in 2025, demonstrating the continued interest in change checking.
International 2026 Coin Releases
Although our focus here at The Britannia Coin Company is often on British coins, we're also keeping an eye on international releases, including the US Mint's five Semiquincentennial quarters, to be issued in celebration of the United States' 250th anniversary.
We can also rely on a roster of annual bullion releases from world mints, including:
What Coins Are Worth Collecting In 2026?
The projected line-up for 2026 is both diverse and extensive. From the return of yellow-gold Sovereigns to landmark commemoratives like the Queen Elizabeth II centenary range, and a possible new Great Engravers release, there will be no shortage of pieces to tempt collectors.
With so many potential highlights, it makes sense to start setting your priorities now. Choosing the designs or series that matter most to you will help ensure you do not miss out on key releases as they arrive.
It is worth remembering that much of this schedule remains speculative. Royal Mint plans can shift, and there are often surprises along the way. That uncertainty is part of the excitement of collecting, but it also makes early planning and a clear sense of your own interests all the more valuable.
Which 2026 coins are you most excited about, and what new designs would you most like to see in the months ahead?
Frequently Asked Questions
While The Royal Mint's exact release schedule for 2026 is a closely guarded secret, we can expect to see new entries to long-running series like the Sovereign and Britannia, plus Royal Tudor Beasts and Music Legends, as well as a range of stand-alone commemorative issues.
2026 bullion Britannias are available now in 1oz silver, 1oz gold and fractional formats like the popular 1/10oz gold Britannia. These coins have been issued annually by The Royal Mint since 1987 and are sought after by collectors and investors alike.
The UK's Royal Mint has a busy schedule of coin releases for 2026, including old favourites like Sovereigns and Britannias, plus new additions to popular series like Music Legends. Standalone issues include a Queen's 100th Birthday coin and the 2026 Royal Zoological Society £2.
No, the 2026 Sovereign is made of 22-carat (91.67% fine) gold, just like Sovereigns from the past. The difference for 2026 is that the alloy used to make this prestigious British coin will be yellow-toned, replacing the reddish rosy hue used by The Royal Mint since the early 2000s.
Right now, we don't know what UK coins will enter circulation in 2026. In recent years, The Royal Mint has released very few new coins into our change, with the exception of new definitive designs like the Salmon 50p and Bees £1, which have sent collectors into a frenzy.
The Britannia Coin Company offers free delivery on new 2026 coin releases for UK residents, plus cheap international shipping for a flat rate. That makes it cheaper to buy 2026 coins with Britannia, compared to directly from The Royal Mint or via other authorised dealers.
No one can predict future values for 2026 with certainty. Gold and silver coins with low mintages and attractive designs remain sought-after, but so do pieces that appeal to those outside of the world of coin collecting, including pop culture and children's literature-themed releases.
