Brexit 50p: Millions of commemorative coins thrown into doubt as delay looms

Chancellor had pledged a tranche of new 50p pieces to mark the UK's anticipated departure from the EU on 31 October

Plans for millions of 50p coins to commemorate Brexit day have been thrown into doubt after MPs derailed Boris Johnson's chances of fast-tracking his deal through parliament by Halloween.

Sajid Javid, the chancellor, announced plans for new coins to mark Brexit earlier this year – shortly before Mr Johnson won the Conservative leadership contest – following enthusiastic calls from Conservative MPs.

But with the prime minister’s Brexit timetable in doubt, and the UK awaiting a verdict from the EU on the length of a third extension, the Treasury refused to confirm whether production had begun on the first tranche of coins.

The confusion came after it emerged that three million of the coins were to be imprinted with the Brexit date of 31 October and ready to spend by the end of the month.

Treasury sources told the Daily Telegraph that the coins had to be approved at the privy council so the coins had "legal tender status for when it is introduced on the day we leave".

One source said: "Three million will be ready for exit day and 10 million will be struck within the first year."

The new 50p pieces were due to be emblazoned with the words “peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” and the 31 October date of the UK's anticipated departure from the EU.

A further seven million were then due to be minted over the course of year – considerably more than the 10,000 commemorative coins planned by Mr Javid’s predecessor, Philip Hammond.

The Royal Mint regularly issues commemorative currency, with notable coins minted in honour of the 2012 London Olympics.

The coin was expected to join a line of EU-inspired coinage in the UK, including one when the nation joined the European Economic Community in 1973, and another when the UK held the presidency of the EU Council in 1998.

The Treasury declined to comment when approached by The Independent.

It comes as parliament was plunged into fresh uncertainty after MPs rejected Mr Johnson's plan to rush his Brexit deal through the Commons in just three days - despite having given their approval, in principle, to his Brexit deal minutes earlier.

Mr Johnson vowed to "pause" the legislation in the wake of the result, leaving Brexit in limbo, as the prime minister is now effectively at the mercy of EU leaders who will decide whether to grant Britain a further extension.