# Change for good after Brexit? Donating the 50p coin - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/01/31/change-for-good-after-brexit-donating-the-50p-coin/ - Published: 2020-01-31T09:32:02+00:00 - Author: Howard Lake **The introduction into circulation today of a new 50p to commemorate the UK’s departure from the European Union has produced another example of ‘rage fundraising’, or donating to charity in response to a polarising political act or decision.** The cupro-nickel coin is the only one being created to mark the country’s departure after 47 years of membership of the EU and its predecessors. > On 31 January 2020, a new 50p coin marking the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from > the European Union will be released. More >> [https://t.co/N5VlnEy2ho](https://t.co/N5VlnEy2ho) > [pic.twitter.com/pkDtqfzLGd](https://t.co/pkDtqfzLGd) > > ## Advertisement > > [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) > — The Royal Mint (@RoyalMintUK) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/RoyalMintUK/status/1221311891303227392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ## Peace, prosperity and [honest] friendship with all nations On the reverse of the coin is the phrase “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations”, together with, unusually for a UK coin, the date, 31 January 2020. The phrase, according to the Royal Mint, is inspired by a quotation from the first inaugural address by Thomas Jefferson, third president of the USA. The original phrase was “peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations” which he presented as an essential principle for his administration. The Brexit coin notably omits “honest” from the qualities it extols. This is the Conservative government’s second attempt to produce a commemorative coin to mark leaving the European Union. One million coins were produced in October, in anticipation of the UK leaving the EU on 31 October. When that could not be secured, the coins were melted down and the metal saved until another leave date could be confirmed. * **SEE ALSO: [$24m in a weekend: what the ACLU did next](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/02/27/24m-weekend-what-aclu-did-next/)( 27 February 2017)** About three million of the 50p coins enter circulation today, with a further seven million to follow. The 1973 50p marking the UK’s entry to the EEC had a circulating mintage of 89,755,000.   ## Individuals donating their 50p coins to charities > Let's try to do something good with these 50p coins and donate every one of them > to charity. > — David Evans (@dave161256) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/dave161256/status/1221401053863776258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > I can see lots of donations of these to good causes hopefully. Any I get will > certainly be going that way. A black day in our lives not something to celebrate. > — Anne-Marie Mackin (@ammackin) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/ammackin/status/1221400635922374656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   > I will be donating every single [#Brexicoin](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexicoin?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > I get to [@Childrens_Trust](https://twitter.com/Childrens_Trust?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)– > anyone going to join me? [#Reigate](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reigate?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#Earlswood](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Earlswood?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#Redhill](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Redhill?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/DiJBTm5naa](https://t.co/DiJBTm5naa) > Please [#RT](https://twitter.com/hashtag/RT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) twitter > friends > — Angie (@AngiecarterUK) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/AngiecarterUK/status/1221409180655013888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   Some of those who object to Brexit and/or to the commemoration of the event (or beginning of the process) with a coin have publicly mused on how to respond to the coin. Suggestions have included: * donating the coin to charity * selling the coin at inflated prices to Brexit supporters keen to own a keepsake and then donating the money to charity * taking the coin out of circulation by storing it at home * defacing or damaging the coin (you might want to check Section 10 of the 1971 Coinage Act beforehand) https://twitter.com/burnthoseplans/status/1221771244430876673?s=12   Some have been declaring that they would donate any such 50p coins that they came across to charities. Often they have specified charities who causes they suggest are particularly appropriate in that they appear to represent opposite concerns and priorities to those who have focused on Brexit. https://twitter.com/argentologist/status/1221366097779228672?s=12 Some simply took the coin as a glass (or collecting tin) half-full opportunity to do some good with the situation: > A coin just to drop in a charity box. At least something good can come of this > nonsense > — Peter Keen (@PK054) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/PK054/status/1221373338498600961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   https://twitter.com/reddiesel/status/1221373739448913920?s=12 In other cases they have chosen charities that they see as needing support to protect people and issues that will likely suffer as a result of Britain leaving the EU, or which have already suffered while the government devoted extensive time and money to the Brexit process.   > Thank you. That is what I intend to do. Either [@RefugeesAtHome](https://twitter.com/RefugeesAtHome?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > small charity matching hosts with a spare room, with refugees who need a temporary > home. Or [@credit4refugees](https://twitter.com/credit4refugees?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > so refugees can call their families. If my family needed either, I want them to > find this help. > — Hazel Wright (@HKW1981) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/HKW1981/status/1221390472964460544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   https://twitter.com/danielleyorks/status/1221367440623525888?s=12   > Going to put every single one I receive in a jar, to take them out of circulation > and donate the total of the money saved to foodbanks and refugee charities. 💙 > 🇪🇺💛 > — Smells Like White Spirit💙🦊🇪🇺 🐝🌈 (@_LadyDecorator) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/_LadyDecorator/status/1221393566846607360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   https://twitter.com/anitasethi/status/1221399893824233473?s=12   https://twitter.com/lucycaldicott/status/1221821089464115202?s=12   > My first thought was to drop such coins down a drain to remove them from circulation > but on reflection I will pass them to homeless people living on the streets – > many of them from other nations. > — John Holland (@peanutsholland) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/peanutsholland/status/1221342469826260992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   > If you get one give it to the homeless the food banks and hospitals!!!!! > — Colin Maher (@ColinMaher10) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/ColinMaher10/status/1221225586397470720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   Others simply commented that the notion of a commemorative coin was looking dated to some, given the rapid rise in cashless payments: https://twitter.com/euknowit2/status/1221373178855010305?s=12   https://twitter.com/ukweaver/status/1221234533556785152?s=12   ## Starting a movement Some have suggested ‘starting a movement’ to harness the discussions and help encourage more people to donate their 50ps. > We have decided that we will donate any that we receive to a local charity. Can > we start a movement to get something good out of this? > — Alison Holder (@alisonmalvern) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/alisonmalvern/status/1221411273541373952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Fundraising consultant John Thompson has a distinguished track record in this area. For several years he has taken it upon himself to turn the introduction of new currency and coins into opportunities for mass public donations of everyone’s first and last such banknotes or coins in their possession. His voluntary #FirstFiver campaign in 2016 is credited by CAF with [raising over £12.5 million](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/11/14/firstfiver-campaign-may-raised-12-5m-says-caf-research/). He describes this kind of fundraising with the hashtag #Tenderaising.   > My [#PledgeAnEdge](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PledgeAnEdge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > poll found that 67% of people would donate a [#ShiftyFifty](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShiftyFifty?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > to charity. The [#Brexit50p](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit50p?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > is our first opportunity to do some good in 2020 through [#Tenderaising](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tenderaising?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > EU know what to do.[#TinItDontBinIt](https://twitter.com/hashtag/TinItDontBinIt?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#FirstFiver](https://twitter.com/hashtag/FirstFiver?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [https://t.co/bCwHRzftPd](https://t.co/bCwHRzftPd) > — John Thompson, aka Johnny Five (@JTCHANGINGBIZ) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/JTCHANGINGBIZ/status/1221390781044396032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Some have suggested making the most of such donations, including the idea of **rounding up** the gift to a £1, thereby doubling the value of the original gift: > Let’s take this symbol of the idiocy of [#Brexit](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > and turn it into something positive. For every 50p coin we get let’s round it > up and donate to [@jcwi_uk](https://twitter.com/JCWI_UK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) or > similar cause and keep letting them know that we are neither going away nor giving > up. > — Miles Flint (@MilesFlint) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/MilesFlint/status/1221398638045417472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   There is certainly a large target for such a campaign: https://twitter.com/notfactchecker/status/1221352377258795010?s=12   ## Groups inviting 50p donations Some voluntary groups or campaign organisations have started encouraging those donating their 50p coins to consider their organisation. > We’ve even set up a page to help people do that! Suggest 1) stash [#Brexit50p](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit50p?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > in jam jar/deposit at bank. 2) Make equivalent donation at [https://t.co/2XYArf50JX](https://t.co/2XYArf50JX)( > adding [#giftaid](https://twitter.com/hashtag/giftaid?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > for extra effect) > — Refugees at Home🧡 (@RefugeesAtHome) [January 27, 2020](https://twitter.com/RefugeesAtHome/status/1221785910037176320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) And Refugees At Home are reporting early successes: > Thanks Howard! The [#Brexit50p](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit50p?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > campaign has been quite successful for [@RefugeesAtHome](https://twitter.com/RefugeesAtHome?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), > we’ve grown our Twitterbase and won some new friends too. Hoping to see some cash > donations in due course, we’ve set up a [@JustGiving](https://twitter.com/JustGiving?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > page. > — Sian Mexsom (@sianmexsom) [January 31, 2020](https://twitter.com/sianmexsom/status/1223194580818046976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Overwhelmed by people offering to donate their [#Brexit50p](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit50p?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > coins to us 💚 > We've spent 25 years working to make Berkshire a place of peace, prosperity, and > friendship for all Refugees. > Donate your [#FiftyPeesForRefugees](https://twitter.com/hashtag/FiftyPeesForRefugees?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > to help us be here for another 25: [https://t.co/zwhBpsePd2](https://t.co/zwhBpsePd2) > [pic.twitter.com/1TDTZSo94z](https://t.co/1TDTZSo94z) > — Refugee Support Group 🧡 (@ReadingRefugees) [January 27, 2020](https://twitter.com/ReadingRefugees/status/1221833384927924225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   > We'd love to you consider donating your [#Brexit50p](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit50p?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > to Boaz. We're providing welcome and sanctuary for [#refugees](https://twitter.com/hashtag/refugees?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > who, in their search for the peace mentioned on these coins, have fallen into > destitution. Please help us and give [#50psForRefugees](https://twitter.com/hashtag/50psForRefugees?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [https://t.co/xRBL8v9rL9](https://t.co/xRBL8v9rL9) [pic.twitter.com/uO80PjY6QD](https://t.co/uO80PjY6QD) > — The Boaz Trust🧡 (@boaztrust) [January 30, 2020](https://twitter.com/boaztrust/status/1222934499123580934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   > Donating your [#brexit50p](https://twitter.com/hashtag/brexit50p?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > to [@Care4Calais](https://twitter.com/Care4Calais?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) couldn’t > be easier – just pop down to your local co op bank and pay into the care4calais > account. Every penny will go to help desperate refugees in Northern France. [#brexitcoin](https://twitter.com/hashtag/brexitcoin?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#Brexit50pCharityBox](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit50pCharityBox?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > — Care4Calais (@Care4Calais) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/Care4Calais/status/1221472842853777412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   ## Oxford comma What to do with the Brexit 50p coins is not the only controversy that the coin has evoked. The lack of a comma between “prosperity” and “and”, an Oxford comma, has been criticised by Sir Philip Pullman amongst others. He called on “all literate people” to boycott it for that reason. > The 'Brexit' 50p coin is missing an Oxford comma, and should be boycotted by all > literate people. > — Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/PhilipPullman/status/1221365577157087232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   ## My precious humour Fortunately, amid this rage fundraising, some can still make light of it. > Ah yes. The new 50p. Or as we called it before the referendum, a pound > — Quizzimodo (@quizzimodo) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/quizzimodo/status/1221227567807705089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   > They cannot be unaware of the similarities of these two images. [pic.twitter.com/OZ8r6PdiBO](https://t.co/OZ8r6PdiBO) > — Lee Harvey (@valleyguitarist) [January 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/valleyguitarist/status/1221366134965927938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   _Top image: [The Royal Mint](http://www.royalmint.com)_ ![Loading](https://fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/page-views-count/ajax-loader- 2x.gif)