Two of Britain's most iconic monarchs, King Henry VIII and Queen Victoria, have been given a deliciously unconventional tribute: their faces now adorn a special collection of festive chocolate coins.
A Sweet Slice of History
The project was commissioned to mark the opening of Cash Access UK's 200th banking hub in Billericay, Essex. To create the unique centrepieces, the organisation enlisted the skills of professional chocolatier Jen Lindsey-Clark. The resulting collection features the historical figures on both giant, 20cm wide coins and more traditionally sized versions.
The crafting process was a meticulous labour of love. 3D moulds were first created to ensure an accurate likeness of each monarch. These were then filled with hand-poured chocolate, using a total of 15kg of chocolate and over 10g of metallic dust and spray for a realistic, gilded finish. The entire collection, which took 80 hours to complete, was displayed alongside real currency from Billericay's past, including a Roman Denarius and a Medieval Henry VI Noble.
Public Taste of the Past
To share the celebration with the community, a limited number of the standard-sized chocolate coins were distributed to the public at the new banking hub on December 18. The initiative was designed to give locals a literal taste of coinage throughout British history.
The launch coincides with new research highlighting the enduring emotional power of physical cash, especially during the festive season. A poll of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Cash Access UK, found that 47 per cent believe 'nothing compares' to the excitement of receiving cash in a card at Christmas. Over half associated the gesture with feelings of nostalgia.
The Emotional Value of Cash
Alex Conaway, from Cash Access UK, commented on the findings, stating: “This research shows that while digital payments play a huge part in modern life, the emotional value of giving and receiving cash, especially at Christmas, remains incredibly strong.” He added that the not-for-profit's role is to ensure access to cash remains a choice for everyone.
The study revealed further insights into modern gifting habits:
- 37 per cent feel more connected to a loved one when given a physical gift like cash.
- 34 per cent labelled bank transfers at Christmas the 'ultimate Grinch move'.
- Despite this, 24 per cent are increasingly sent money digitally instead of a physical present, a trend more common among younger generations.
- Importantly, 46 per cent feel more in control of their festive spending when using cash, underscoring the continued need for accessible banking services.
The fusion of edible art, British history, and a celebration of community banking has created a uniquely sweet landmark for the Essex town of Billericay.
