The Royal Mint decodes new era of collecting with a code breaker coin, launching The Great British Treasure Hunt
- ‘The Penny Drops’ £5 collectable coin features design that can be used to solve weekly clues that form part of The Great British Treasure Hunt
- Broadcaster and mathematician, Bobby Seagull, is the first official player of the hunt
- The Great British Treasure Hunt is a nationwide mission with The Penny Drops coin playing a key role to solving puzzles released throughout February and March
- The single winner of The Great British Treasure Hunt will receive a grand prize of solid gold bar
- To mark the launch, the coin was unveiled at The Science Museum where Bobby Seagull was gifted the first minted Great British Treasure Hunt coin
Llantrisant, Wales, Thursday 29th January 2026: The Royal Mint today unveiled its ground-breaking, code-breaking coin at London’s Science Museum, where celebrated mathematician Bobby Seagull MBE was gifted the first-ever minted edition of The Penny Drops £5 coin and named ‘Player One’ in The Great British Treasure Hunt, a nationwide code-breaking challenge.
Made by the Original Maker of UK coins, the £5 coin is a unique collectable coin that acts as a physical decipher for the challenge. Featuring a sophisticated design that serves as a physical key to unlock the multi-puzzle challenge, it includes numbers, letters, and symbols that when used correctly, can be used to uncover layers of secrets, riddles and puzzles that form The Great British Treasure Hunt.
Starting today, the nationwide quest is a groundbreaking experience built around a coin unlike any other. Inspired by Sir Isaac Newton, Master of the Mint and one of the greatest minds of all time, this is the first time ever that a UK coin has been used as a key to unlocking a national mission.
Made up of five levels, The Great British Treasure Hunt is open to all to take part, the winner is only eligible if UK based however others can play just for fun, with the first level free (launching on 29th January) to try through the dedicated microsite.
Once the first level has been completed, further stages can be unlocked through the use of The Penny Drops coin and packaging. Each level will be open for completion with tips and hints dropped by The Royal Mint across various dates following the launch.
At the culmination of the hunt awaits a remarkable reward for those still in the game, the chance to win a grand prize of a solid gold bar.
Bobby Seagull, Mathematician and Player One of The Great British Coin Hunt, said: “As a maths-lover, I’m thrilled to be ‘Player One’ for this coin that is truly a cryptographic masterpiece. Its design, inspired by Newton’s genius, is a physical key that turns symbols and numbers into a brilliant puzzle. This isn't just a coin; it’s an invitation to a nationwide intellectual adventure!"
Nicola Mitchell, Chief Commercial Officer at The Royal Mint, said: “The Royal Mint is stepping into a new era of coin collecting. The Great British Treasure Hunt coin is not just a beautiful collector’s item; it’s an interactive device with more than meets the eye. Hidden within its design and packaging are layers of secrets and puzzles to take players on a journey of discovery, perfect for those who love mystery, challenge and the thrill of the chase. Launching at The Science Museum with Bobby Seagull is a fitting way to mark this launch and open The Great British Treasure Hunt.”
The collectible coin has been launched in base metal (Brilliant Uncirculated), as well as silver and gold editions, and won’t be going into general circulation. The Penny Drops £5 coin has been designed by Christian Davies and Matt Dent.
More information about The Penny Drops coin and The Great British Treasure Hunt can be found on The Royal Mint’s website.
