We’re five days out from the UK’s departure from the EU (for real this time), and preparations for the celebration are well underway. 

On Brexit day itself, January 31, millions of commemorative 50p coins bearing the inscription “peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” will be put into general circulation in the UK. 

Chancellor Sajid Javid officially unveiled the new coin on Sunday, stating: “Leaving the European Union is a turning point in our history and this coin marks the beginning of this new chapter.” 

As with the withdrawal agreement negotiations themselves, the process of actually producing the coins hasn’t exactly been plain sailing. 

Javid originally ordered production of the 50p coins in advance of the original departure date of October 31, but that didn’t exactly go to plan. 

The eleventh-hour delay meant that around a million coins, which had already been produced and stamped with the October date, had to be melted down and the metal put aside until a new exit day had been confirmed. 

The new coins now bear the January 31 date, and this time it’s pretty unlikely they’ll have to be melted down once again. 

About three million of the coins will enter circulation around the UK from Friday, with a further seven million to be added later in the year.

Javid, who is Master of the Mint, was given the first batch of coins, and will present one to Boris Johnson this week.

As part of the launch of the coin, the Royal Mint will open its doors for 24 hours to let people strike their own commemorative Brexit coins.

The official reveal of the join hasn’t exactly been met with universal celebration – with many stating online that they’ll refuse to use them, save them to spend on European holidays, or donate them to charity. 

The European Parliament is expected to vote to approve the Withdrawal Agreement on Wednesday, after the PM signed the treaty paving the way for the UK to leave on January 31.