The King’s Trust Joins The Royal Mint’s 2026 Coin Set

Stuart Mitchell

The King’s Trust is honoured to feature among the eight coins in The Royal Mint’s 2026 annual coin set, marking its 50th anniversary. This commemorative 50p coin, designed by Jessica Gregorio, a graphic designer and former Trust beneficiary, celebrates the charity’s five decades of empowering young people across the UK.

A design that tells a story: The King’s Trust 50th anniversary coin
When His Majesty King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, founded The King’s Trust in 1976 using his Navy severance pay of £7,400, he set in motion a legacy that has transformed over 1.3 million young lives across the UK. For 50 years, the charity has helped young people build confidence, develop skills, and create opportunities to thrive.
 
This year, that legacy is captured in a truly meaningful way – a commemorative 50p coin designed by someone who knows the impact of The King’s Trust firsthand. Jessica Gregorio, a graphic designer and former beneficiary of the Trust’s Enterprise programme, was chosen to create the coin’s reverse design. Her artwork reflects the hopes, ambitions, and journeys of young people supported by the charity.
 
Jessica’s design is rich with symbolism:
  • A flowing stream pays tribute to the Royal Navy origins of The King’s Trust.
  • The sun represents optimism and the light the charity brings to young lives.
  • Clouds symbolise dreams and aspirations – expressions of hope and possibility.
Speaking about her experience designing this coin, Jessica said:
Having the chance to work with The Royal Mint is an honour and an experience I will forever treasure.
It was such a unique experience, and I’m very excited to see the 50p coin we have designed launch.
Jessica joined The King’s Trust in 2024 through the Enterprise programme, which equips young people with the confidence and skills to start and grow their own businesses.
 
Today, she co-owns ‘Take the Cannoli’ with her sister- a business selling traditional Italian cannoli.
Talking about her experience on the Enterprise programme, Jessica said:
I designed the logo for our business, but we didn’t know where to start with writing a business plan, how to launch and the legalities.
We hadn’t really got very far, and we weren’t sure what to do or where to go to make the business flourish.
The course gave us the confidence, knowledge and support to actually try our idea and take the risk.
Since completing the programme, Jessica’s business has flourished. She and her sister now attend popular food markets and have even been asked to cater at weddings. Her journey from beneficiary to designer of The King’s Trust 50th anniversary coin makes this milestone celebration even more special- a true symbol of opportunity and transformation.

Own a piece of history

As The King’s Trust celebrates 50 years of empowering young people, this commemorative 50p coin is more than a collector’s item- it’s a symbol of opportunity and transformation. Purchase your coin as part of The Royal Mint’s 2026 annual coin set and own a piece of King’s Trust history.

5% of the net proceeds of the sale of this product shall be donated by The Royal Mint to The King’s Trust to help young people develop the confidence and skills to build a better future for themselves. The King’s Trust is a registered charity incorporated by Royal Charter (RC000772) in England and Wales (1079675) and Scotland (SC041198). The total estimated donation for the campaign is expected to be around £20,000.

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