With the deadline for the U.K.’s planned exit from the European Union (EU) recently extended from Oct. 31 until Jan. 31, 2020, the production of thousands of commemorative “Brexit” coins featuring the former departure date has been stalled.
While about a million Brexit coins were being prepared for the Oct. 31 deadline, they have since been melted down according to a statement from a Royal Mint representative.
Britain’s Royal Mint was ordered to produce 50-pence coins with the Oct. 31 date alongside a message of “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations.”
Approved by the Queen this October, the production of three Brexit coins – struck in gold, silver and cupronickel – was later “paused,” according to a statement issued by Her Majesty’s Treasury.
Despite U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s repeated promises to finalize Brexit by Oct. 31, British Parliament voted for more time to scrutinize the legislation required to implement Johnson’s “new deal” with the EU.