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Inverness schoolgirl coining it in thanks to generous donation


By Neil MacPhail

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Isla MacDonald
Isla MacDonald

AN Inverness schoolgirl’s coin collecting hobby has received a boost after she was given a bag of assorted coins by a well-wisher.

The man, who insisted on remaining anonymous, came to the Inverness Courier office with the money after we ran a story about Isla MacDonald becoming online coin club Change Checker’s award-winning junior member of 2018.

Isla’s interest in specially minted coins was sparked by the finding of a Girl Guides centenary 50p and now the Cradlehall Primary pupil has 40 special 50p coins and 30 differently designed £2 coins.

Her father Simon helped her to research the first coin and she began keeping an eye out for other coins which are unusual and collectable.

Her mother Luisa said: “It is a shame this man has asked to remain anonymous because we would love to write a thank you letter to him. It was really kind of him. Isla is delighted and fascinated by the selection of coins that was in the bag.”

Isla’s coin collection includes several rare items, including coins marking the Commonwealth Games in England, London Underground and Paddington Bear.

Like her fellow collectors, she is keeping a sharp eye out for Kew Gardens which remains the most scarce 50p coin currently in circulation.

Among the gifted coins is a 1989 £2 coin issued to mark 300 years since the Declaration of Rights being enacted which effectively shifted the balance of power from the Crown to parliament and changed the course of British political history.

Another is a £5 coin which was minted in 2004 to mark the centenary of Entente Cordiale, agreements made between the UK and French governments.

Two Cornish halfpennies, and a £1 and 50p from the Isle of Man are also included, as well as a square coin marking the bicentenary of the Battle of Jersey.

Although not a coin, the bag included a highly nostalgic “Official Licensed Medallion” marking that Scotland had qualified for the 1998 World Cup in France. Five World Cups have come and gone since without Scotland managing to qualify.


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