King Henry VIII and Queen Victoria have been immortalised – on a set of chocolate coins. The historical monarchs feature on giant, 20cm wide coins as well as more traditionally sized ones. Chocolatier Jen Lindsey-Clark was enlisted to create the festive coins using a total of 15kg of chocolate and more than 10g of metallic dust and spray.
To accurately re-create each coin, 3D moulds were made and filled with hand poured chocolate ahead of being set and embellished. Taking a total of 80 hours to create, the collection of coins were made to celebrate the opening of Cash Access UK’s 200th banking hub in Billericay, Essex.
The tasty masterpieces made an appearance alongside pre-Roman slaters, a Roman Denarius, Medieval Henry VI Noble and modern day two-shilling coin, all of which would have been used as legal tender in Billericay.
A limited number of standard sized festive chocolate coins will be given out to members of the public at the banking hub in the Essex town today (December 18) so they can get a taste of coinage throughout Britain’s history.
It comes after a poll of 2,000 adults found 47% said ‘nothing compares’ to the excitement of getting cash in a card at Christmas.
Alex Conaway, from Cash Access UK, a not for profit which provide cash and banking services to communities in the UK, said: “This research shows that while digital payments play a huge part in modern life, the emotional value of giving and receiving cash, especially at Christmas, remains incredibly strong.
“Over half of those we polled said that cash at Christmas makes them feel nostalgic, a third even remember receiving a card with coins taped inside.
“We’re here to make sure that access to cash remains a choice for everyone and we’re proud to celebrate this Christmas tradition with the launch of our 200th banking hub in Billericay.”
The research also found 37% feel more connected to a loved one when being given a physical gift, such as cash, with 34% labelling bank transfers at Christmas the ‘ultimate Grinch move’.
However, 24% are increasingly being sent money this way instead of receiving an actual present – with this ringing true to 36% of millennials and half of Gen Zs.
Exactly four in 10 of all those polled said they are more likely to save the money they are gifted – rather than spend it.
What’s more, 44% save this festive money as part of their emergency fund – with Gen Z’s doing this the most (58%).
The research also found 46% feel more in control of their festive spending when using cash, highlighting the continued need for accessible, community-based banking services.
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