• The Royal Mint launches a collectable 50p coin marking 100 years of Grand Prix racing in Britain
• Coin unveiled at Brooklands Museum, the birthplace of British motorsport
• Design features an historic 1926 racing car alongside a modern 2026 Formula 1 car
• Brooklands celebrates the milestone with its new Britain’s Grand Prix Story exhibition and Summer of Speed activities
The Royal Mint has today taken pole position with the unveiling of a brand-new 50p coin celebrating 100 years of Grand Prix racing 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 Museum in Weybridge, Surrey – the world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit and the legendary venue that hosted Britain's very first Grand Prix on 7 August 1926. Adding to the occasion, the coin was photographed alongside the iconic Delage, sister team car to the one that claimed victory at the ground-breaking Royal Automobile Club Grand Prix in 1926.
The Grand Prix in Britain 50p has been designed in collaboration with Interstate, the award-winning London-based agency that has worked with the FIA and Formula 1 for more than 25 years. The reverse of the coin captures the full sweep of Grand Prix history in a single striking design, featuring a historic racing car from the original 1926 Brooklands race 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 brought vividly to life as a proud tribute to the race's British home.
"For one hundred years, Grand Prix racing in Britain has captured the nation's imagination, from the thundering engines at Brooklands to the wheel-to-wheel battles at Silverstone,” said Rebecca Morgan, Director at The Royal Mint. “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."
"We are thrilled that The Royal Mint has chosen to celebrate this very special centenary with Brooklands Museum,” confirmed Alex Patterson, Chief Executive of 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 at Brooklands in Surrey in 1926, Britain's Grand Prix moved to Silverstone in 1948, just two years before becoming an annual fixture on the FIA Formula 1™ World Championship calendar. Located in the heart of England, Silverstone has hosted some of the most memorable moments in British motor racing history, from Nigel Mansell's dramatic victory in 1987 to Lewis Hamilton's remarkable three-wheeled finish in 2020.
The gold edition of the Grand Prix in Britain 50p is the latest coin to be produced using recycled gold sourced from old jewellery and coins. The Royal Mint is aiming to manufacture all collectable gold coins from recycled gold by the end of the year.
With an undeniable legacy and unrivalled atmosphere, the British Grand Prix remains one of the highlights of the FIA Formula 1™ World Championship calendar.
The coin will go on sale at 9.00am on 29 June 2026 and will be available to purchase from www.royalmint.com, with prices starting from £15. Collectors will also have the opportunity to strike their own Grand Prix in Britain 50p at The Royal Mint Experience from 7 July to 2 August.
Brooklands Museum will be marking this significant milestone in British motor racing history with an extraordinary gathering of more than 100 Grand Prix cars on Saturday 8 August. The display will span the full history of Grand Prix racing, from the pioneering machines of the early years through to today's sophisticated Formula 1 cars.
Although tickets for the anniversary event have already sold out, a limited number of tickets to the exclusive Premier Evening have been released to general sale today (Monday) to mark the British Grand Prix week. All visitors to the Museum during the coming months can enjoy the Summer of Speed, including the newly opened Britain’s Grand Prix Story exhibition – featuring a remarkable collection of iconic Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars from across the decades – and Get Set Go the family summer science show.
Alongside the legendary racing machines in Britain's Grand Prix Story, visitors can explore fascinating artefacts, immersive audio experiences and hands-on interactive displays. Together, they tell the story not only of the sport's technological evolution, but also of the people, ingenuity and determination that have driven top-level motor racing for generations.
Summer opening hours are between 10am and 5pm with admission tickets, when purchased in advance, priced at £25.70 for adults and £10.70 for children aged 4-17 years old. Membership priced from £68 offers unlimited entry and also the chance to buy tickets for an exclusive Grand Prix Centenary Celebration evening on Friday 7 August.
