THE new commemorative 50p coin to mark Britain’s departure from the EU this week has been unveiled by the Chancellor.

Sajid Javid originally ordered production of the celebratory coins in advance of the original departure date 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 has now unveiled coins bearing the inscription “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” and the date of January 31.

He said: “Leaving the European Union is a turning point in our history and this coin marks the beginning of this new chapter.”

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.

Mr Javid, who is Master of the Mint, was given the first batch of coins, and will present one to Prime Minister 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 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.

The new coin hasn't been welcomed by everybody.

Author Sir Philip Pullman has called for the commemorative Brexit 50p to be boycotted for not having an Oxford comma.

An Oxford comma is used after the penultimate item in a list of three or more items, so would be placed after the word "prosperity" on the new coin.

His Dark Materials author Sir Philip wrote on Twitter that the omission meant the coin should "be boycotted by all literate people".

Stig Abell, the editor of the Times Literary Supplement, also condemned the coin's punctuation.

He tweeted: "Not perhaps the only objection, but the lack of a comma after 'prosperity' is killing me."

However user @TychoNestoris1 replied: "Be gone with your American serial comma nonsense!"