Royal Mint to launch nationwide code breaker problem – with a £28,000 prize

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Your help makes all of the distinction. Learn extra The Royal Mint is about to launch a nationwide code-breaking problem, with the prospect for competitors entrants to win a strong gold bar.

The Nice British Treasure Hunt will characteristic a £5 denomination coin that features numbers, letters, and symbols that can be utilized to uncover layers of secrets and techniques, riddles and puzzles.

The hunt, impressed by Sir Isaac Newton, who was grasp of the Mint, is made up of 5 ranges, and the winner have to be UK-based – though anybody can play for enjoyable, the Mint mentioned.

The primary stage is free to attempt by means of a devoted microsite on the Royal Mint’s web site. As soon as this has been accomplished, additional phases may be unlocked by means of the usage of “the penny drops” £5 coin and packaging.

Every stage shall be open with suggestions and hints dropped by the Royal Mint in waves, ranging from January 29, with numerous phrases and situations making use of.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/01/28/16/42/Coin-code-Royal-Mint-2.jpeg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/01/28/16/42/Coin-code-Royal-Mint-2.jpeg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/01/28/16/42/Coin-code-Royal-Mint-2.jpeg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="The £5 denomination coin includes numbers, letters, and symbols that can be used to uncover layers of secrets, riddles and puzzles that form the Great British Treasure Hunt" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

The £5 denomination coin consists of numbers, letters, and symbols that can be utilized to uncover layers of secrets and techniques, riddles and puzzles that kind the Nice British Treasure Hunt (Royal Mint/PA) Whereas there isn't any buy mandatory to participate in stage one of many hunt, a purchase order of both a penny drops sensible uncirculated or silver proof coin shall be wanted to participate in ranges two to 5, as entrants might want to use the bought coin and/or its packaging to finish the competitors’s puzzles.

Stage one of many treasure hunt doesn't kind a part of the competitors.

The competitors opens on February 3 and closes on March 30. Any entries acquired earlier than or after the competitors is open won't be included and no correspondence shall be entered into. Dates for every stage reveal could shift barely, so folks ought to test the microsite for particulars.

Entrants should efficiently full ranges two to 5 inclusive of the treasure hunt by 11.59pm on March 30.

Individuals have to be aged 18 or over to participate within the competitors, which is restricted to at least one entry per buyer account.

Get a free fractional share price as much as £100.Capital in danger.

Phrases and situations apply.

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Get a free fractional share price as much as £100.Capital in danger.

Phrases and situations apply.

Go to web site ADVERTISEMENT

On the fruits of the hunt, these nonetheless within the recreation could have the prospect to win the grand prize of a strong gold 250g bar.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/08/19/21/30/New-1-Charles-coins.jpeg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/08/19/21/30/New-1-Charles-coins.jpeg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/08/19/21/30/New-1-Charles-coins.jpeg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="The Royal Mint said the coin will not be going into general circulation" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

The Royal Mint mentioned the coin won't be going into basic circulation (Royal Mint) Primarily based on current gold costs, the approximate worth of the bar could possibly be round £28,000 to £29,000, however that is solely an indicative determine of the prize worth, as gold costs are continually altering, relying on market situations.

One winner shall be chosen at random on or shortly after March 31, and shall be notified by e mail.

Broadcaster and mathematician Bobby Seagull, who was gifted the first-ever minted version of the penny drops £5 coin and named “participant one” within the hunt, mentioned: “As a maths-lover, I’m thrilled to be ‘participant one’ for this coin that's really a cryptographic masterpiece.

“Its design, impressed by Newton’s genius, is a bodily key that turns symbols and numbers into a superb puzzle. This isn’t only a coin; it’s an invite to a nationwide mental journey.”

Nicola Mitchell, chief business officer on the Royal Mint, mentioned: “The Royal Mint is entering into a brand new period of coin accumulating.

“The Nice British Treasure Hunt coin is not only a lovely collector’s merchandise; it’s an interactive system with greater than meets the attention. Hidden inside its design and packaging are layers of secrets and techniques and puzzles to take gamers on a journey of discovery, good for individuals who love thriller, problem and the fun of the chase.

“Launching on the Science Museum with Bobby Seagull is a becoming option to mark this launch and open the Nice British Treasure Hunt.”

The sensible uncirculated model of the coin is in the stores for £22.50, with silver proof variations accessible for £149.50 and gold cash accessible to buy for £5,195.