2026 UK Annual Coin Sets
2026 annual sets are a celebration of British craftsmanship and culture.
The Royal Mint have been releasing official UK coin sets annually since the 1970s, showcasing the best of the year's commemorative and definitive coinage. Annual sets are popular with collectors as limited edition pieces, and for the preview they offer of coins that will receive an individual release later in the year.
The 2026 annual set range features five new collector's coins, inspired by the people, events, anniversaries, and institutions that shape British life and history, from a £2 marking 200 years of the London Zoological Society to a 50p celebrating the British Grand Prix. These are accompanied by eight definitive issues, from the Two Pound to the Penny, featuring nature-inspired designs paired with a portrait of King Charles III by Martin Jennings.
The coins featured in annual sets are not always issued individually - that's true of both the commemorative and definitive coins. If you want to get hold of the most important UK coins from 2026, then an annual set is a key purchase.
What Coins Will Be Released In 2026?
The five commemorative coins included in the 2026 Annual Sets represent some of the most significant collector issues released by The Royal Mint during the following calendar year.
•100th Anniversary Of The Birth Of Queen Elizabeth II £5
Marking a century since the birth of Queen Elizabeth II, this commemorative £5 reflects the extraordinary legacy of Britain's longest-reigning monarch. During her historic reign, Elizabeth II appeared on more UK coins than any other British monarch, making this centenary issue a landmark piece. The reverse design is by heraldic artist Timothy Noad and incorporates Her Majesty's ER cypher. The edge inscription reads 'A LIFE WELL LIVED, A PROMISE WITH DESTINY KEPT'. Coins from precious metal sets feature a special Lily of the Valley privy mark.
• 200 Years Of The Zoological Society Of London £2
Celebrating two centuries of global conservation work, this £2 coin honours the enduring impact of the Zoological Society of London. Founded in 1826, the ZSL has played a vital role in protecting wildlife and restoring habitats across more than 70 countries worldwide. This commemorative issue features a design by Jonathan Olliffe, showing a lion, bird and snail, paired with an edge inscription that reads ‘RESTORING WILDLIFE TOGETHER', reflecting the organisation's enduring conservation mission.
• 200th Anniversary Of The HMS Beagle £2
Few ships have left a greater mark on scientific discovery than HMS Beagle, whose voyages helped reshape humanity's understanding of the natural world. First commissioned in 1826, the vessel is best known for its second voyage, during which naturalist Charles Darwin gathered the observations that led to his theory of evolution. This anniversary £2 coin features a reverse by William Webb that depicts the ship in full sail. The edge inscription on this 2026 coin reads ‘THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE'
• 100 Years Of The Grand Prix In Britain 50p
A century of speed, skill and spectacle is celebrated with this landmark 50p marking 100 years of the British Grand Prix. First held at Brooklands, Surrey, in 1926, the event has become a cornerstone of international motorsport, with Silverstone hosting some of the sport's most unforgettable moments and legendary champions. This coin, designed by Interstate, represents the first time the British Grand Prix has been commemorated on a UK coin, recognising its lasting influence on racing history.
• 50 Years Of The King's Trust 50p
This 50p coin commemorates five decades of transformative support provided by The King's Trust (formerly the Prince's Trust), an organisation that has helped more than one million young people build brighter futures. Established in 1976 and renamed in 2024 to reflect the monarch's continued patronage, the Trust has empowered generations through education, employment and enterprise. The reverse design, created by Jessica Gregorio, a former beneficiary, adds a deeply personal dimension, representing the lasting impact of the Trust's work.
What 2026 Annual Sets Are Available?
The Royal Mint has released a wide range of 2026 annual coin sets, offering collectors multiple finishes and formats to suit different interests and budgets.
The selection includes brilliant uncirculated packs alongside standard and premium base metal proof sets. For collectors seeking precious metal issues, the range also features silver proof, piedfort silver proof and gold proof annual sets. Notably, the 2026 gold proof set is struck in recycled gold for the first time, reflecting The Royal Mint's ongoing commitment to sustainability.
- 2026 Definitive BU Annual Set
- 2026 BU Annual Set
- 2026 Proof Annual Set
- 2026 Premium Proof Annual Set
- 2026 Silver Proof Annual Set
- 2026 Piedfort Silver Proof Annual Set
- 2026 Gold Proof Annual Set
Some 2026 annual sets include a mix of commemorative and definitive coins, while others focus on a single type. Commemorative coins feature one-year-only designs, whereas definitive coins carry the standard designs used on circulating UK coinage.