Sofia Soares, Author at Hattons of London

The Threepence – Queen Victoria to Decimalisation

Posted on June 28, 2021February 6, 2025 by Sofia Soares

The Threepence or “Thruppence” or “Thrupenny Bit”, as it has often been referred to, is one of the most recognisable coins in British coinage. It has a long history, with many different monarch’s portraits adorning its obverse, and numerous different designs to its reverse. Here we specifically take a look at the coin from the reign of Queen Victoria through to it ceasing to become legal tender due to Decimalisation in 1971.

Queen Elizabeth II Through The Decades – The Fifties

Posted on June 24, 2021December 11, 2024 by Sofia Soares

The 1950’s began with the world still recovering from the ravages of World War Two. It also saw huge population growth with the “baby boomer” generation, and the “Cold War” between the Soviet Union and the United States of America was heating up. Meanwhile, in Britain, Elizabeth Windsor was about to ascend to the throne.

Diana…The “People’s Princess”

Posted on June 17, 2021August 15, 2024 by Sofia Soares

Princess Diana once famously stated in an interview, that she wished to be “a Queen of people’s hearts”. After her tragic death at the age of just 36, the then Prime Minister Tony Blair in a statement said: “They liked her, they loved her, they regarded her as one of the people. She was the ‘People’s Princess'”. And that’s how she will stay, how she will remain, in our hearts and in our memories, forever.”

Here, we take a look back at the life and tireless charity work, that has made her loved by millions all over the world.

The 2021 Diana 60th Birthday Gold Sovereign Range

Posted on June 14, 2021August 9, 2024 by Sofia Soares

Diana 60th birthday one-eighth sovereign Diana, Princess of Wales was a cultural icon and an inspiration to many for her humanitarian and charitable work throughout her life. And while she was only part pf the Royal Family for a relatively short time, she quickly forged a valuable and modern role for herself; with the changes she made still being felt today. This year we reflect on Diana’s life, on what would have been her 60^th birthday…

The 2021 Diana 60th Birthday Gold Sovereign Range, the first ever to feature Diana, Princess of Wales

To commemorate what would have been the 60th birthday of Princess Diana, the ‘People’s Princess’, a brand-new sovereign range has been minted. Introducing the 2021 Diana 60th Birthday Gold Sovereign Range.

To celebrate the life and legacy of Diana, this sovereign range features the portrait of Diana on the reverse side in a demure pose – one that often belied her inner strength and tenacity. This is the very first time that Diana’s portrait has ever appeared on a gold sovereign, making this particular range a significant one for the sovereign itself.

This new sovereign range has been authorised by Ascension Island, and approved by both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Buckingham Palace. The one-eighth is also limited to just 2,999 coins.

You can view the 2021 Diana 60th Birthday Gold Sovereign range here.

What Makes A Coin Collectable?

Posted on June 4, 2021August 9, 2024 by Sofia Soares

Coin collecting, as a hobby, can take many forms. From collecting a few coins in a jar that you store at the back of a cupboard or in the attic, to keeping your coins in transparent sleeves in a folder to keep them in good condition and make viewing them easier. You may even have collections of coins that you keep in their original presentation cases, that you have never opened.

But what makes a coin collectable? Here, we take a look at four things that collectors think about when obtaining new additions to their collections.