The Brexit 50p coin has been the subject of controversy ever since it was first announced to the public, with many questioning it or making jokes about it. Now, however, it seems the Royal Mint have something to say on the matter, as the wording that will appear on the coin has been revealed.
Royal Mint spokesperson Manny May-Kerr told the assembled press this morning:
“The wording for the Brexit 50p coin has been decided on, and we have settled on a very apt quote for the subject – ‘never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups’ will be engraved around the edges of the coins.”
At this revelation, half the assembled press met the announcement with a stony silence while the other half burst out laughing.
However, the nature of the quote is not the main source of controversy.
Traditionally, British money shows off the wit and wisdom of historical Britons, but this quote was uttered by American comedian George Carlin.
Manny May-Kerr just shrugged at this, and said:
“If Brexit happens and Trump has his way, we’ll be pretty much an American colony soon anyway so we might as well get used to it.”
Another suggestion has been mooted, to instead use the old adage, “out of the frying pan, into the fire”, an expression that has been in the English language for five hundred years, and whose first English usage has been attributed to Sir Thomas More, the adviser to Henry VIII who opposed the tyrant ruler’s splitting England off from the Catholic church.
More was immortalised in the play A Man For All Seasons, and never has that description of him been more apt.