The British Grand Prix marks a century of competitive motorsport with a new fifty pence proof coin from The Royal Mint

Yet another 50p coin has dropped at the Royal Mint, but fortunately it isn’t another in the endless run of literature, and pop culture themed issues, but something hardly ever seen on UK coinage – motorsport. It’s been a century since Brooklands hosted the first Grand Prix, and this nice coin juxtaposes new and old to show just how far the sport has come. Silver is available in the usual 8g format, and there’s a piedfort 16.0g variant. A 1/2oz 22-kt gold coin, without colour, rounds out the precious metal offerings, although there are coloured and uncoloured base metal coins as well. I’ll leave the description to the mints press release as its nearly midnight here.

PRESS RELEASE: The Royal Mint has today taken pole position, unveiling a brand-new 50p coin celebrating 100 years of the Grand Prix in Britain – the first time motorsport has ever been honoured on an official UK coin. In a fitting tribute to where it all began, the coin was officially unveiled at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey; the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit and the legendary venue that hosted Britain’s First Grand Prix on 7 August 1926. Adding to the occasion, the coin was pictured alongside the iconic Delage, a car from the team that secured first, second and third places in the inaugural race at Britain’s First Grand Prix in 1926, organised by the Royal Automobile Club (RAC), and the only car to attend both the 1926 and 1927 races.

The Grand Prix in Britain 50p has been designed in collaboration with Interstate, the London-based, award-winning agency that has worked with the FIA and Formula 1 for over 25 years. The tails side of the coin captures the full sweep of Grand Prix history in a single, striking image featuring a historic racing car from the original 1926 Brooklands race, sitting alongside a cutting-edge Formula 1 car from 2026, showcasing a century of breathtaking technological evolution. A selection of the coins will also feature colour, with the Union Jack flag brought vividly to life as a proud nod to the race’s British home.

Rebecca Morgan, Director at The Royal Mint, said, “For one hundred years, the Grand Prix in Britain has captured the nation’s imagination, from the thundering engines at Brooklands to the wheel-to-wheel battles at Silverstone. This coin is a true landmark for us. It is the first time in The Royal Mint’s history that motorsport has been celebrated on a UK coin, and we couldn’t be prouder to mark such a momentous centenary in this way. Whether you’re a dedicated collector or a Formula 1 fan counting down the days to race weekend, this coin is an absolute must-have piece of history you can hold in your hand.”

Alex Patterson, Chief Executive of Brooklands Museum said, “We are thrilled that The Royal Mint has chosen to celebrate this very special centenary celebration with Brooklands Museum. The 1926 race was a defining moment not just for Brooklands but for the development of international motor racing in the UK, and it is fitting that it is commemorated by this very special coin.” Established in 1926 at Brooklands in Surrey, the British Grand Prix has taken place at Silverstone since 1948, just two years before it became an annual event in the FIA Formula 1™ World Championship calendar. Found in the heart of England, Silverstone has played host to some of the most exciting moments in the history of British motor racing, from Nigel Mansell’s dramatic win in 1987, to Lewis Hamilton’s three-wheeled finish in 2020.