Chancellor Sajid Javid has unveiled the new commemorative 50p to mark Brexit next week – and has faced an angry and mocking backlash from Remainers, with some suggesting they will refuse to use the newly-minted coin.
Javid originally ordered production of the celebratory coins in advance of the original departure date from the EU of October 31.
But the Brexit delay meant about a million coins had to be melted down and the metal put aside until a new exit date was confirmed.
The chancellor, who is Master of the Mint, has now unveiled coins bearing the inscription “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” and the date of January 31.
About three million Brexit coins will enter circulation around the UK from Friday, with a further seven million to be added later in the year.
But the launch was met with derision from those who campaigned to stay in the bloc.
Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former spin doctor, he said he will ask shops for alternatives to the coin if he is handed one in the futur
Former Labour Cabinet minister and peer Andrew Adonis went one further.
Others suggested donating the coins as they could “only serve to divide further”.
Some proposed alternatives to the Treasury’s inscription.
Meanwhile, Dark Materials author Philip Pullman proof read the piece.
Others were more philosophical.
And Brexiteers seemed relaxed about the complaints.