Royal Mint issues first ever £20 coin

Limited edition £20 coin expected to sell out fast

The first £20 coin has been made in a limited production of only 250,000.

The Benedetto Pistrucci-designed silver coin is embossed with a picture of St George and the Dragon. Following the success of the £5 coin, which sold out in five days, the new £20 coin is expected to become a similar collector’s item.

The coin will be available to UK residents only via the Royal Mint website.

Shane Bissett, director of commemorative coins at the Royal Mint, said: "The Royal Mint has celebrated moments of national and cultural significance for over 1,000 years and, as a result, our commemorative coins are deemed very collectible.

"It is a beautiful work of art and at a price more people can afford." He added.

"We hope this new £20 coin will spark a future love of coin collecting amongst young and old alike and a greater number of people get to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into producing all of our nation's coins."

The coin will be the first in a series of £20 coins which will be issued periodically by the Royal Mint to celebrate significant events and figures from British culture.