May 23, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint
Thomas Docherty Studio Shots for Prince Williams 40th – 12
Designed by Thomas T. Docherty, designer and engraver at The Royal Mint, the coin features Prince William’s portrait, depicted at a three-quarter angle to present a dynamic quality, and set amid his Royal Cypher and the number ‘40’ to reflect the stature and maturity of the future King.
Available in a range of base and precious metals finishes, the commemorative design has been struck on the opposite side of his grandmother’s effigy, the fifth definitive portrait of Her Majesty The Queen by Jody Clark. On the £5 coin struck in silver and gold, the edge inscription: ‘HRH THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE’ complements the theme with an original numismatic feature.
The new range also includes a limited-edition two-coin set featuring a quarter ounce gold celebration coin and a 1982 Sovereign, marking the year the Prince was born. The collection will also include a limited-edition coin made of 5oz of fine gold and minted to the highest quality to mark the special occasion. Combining traditional craftsmanship and innovative laser technology, the high relief finish gives the portrait an enhanced three-dimensional appearance.
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The 40th Birthday of HRH The Duke of Cambridge 2022 UK 1-4oz Gold Proof Coin obverse edge
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The 40th Birthday of HRH The Duke of Cambridge 2022 UK 1-4oz Gold Proof Coin reverse edge
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The 40th Birthday of HRH The Duke of Cambridge 2022 UK £5 Silver Proof Coin obverse
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The 40th Birthday of HRH The Duke of Cambridge 2022 UK £5 Silver Proof Coin reverse edge
The original maker of coins has been trusted to tell the story of monarchs for centuries and the new release is the first UK coin featuring an individual portrait of HRH available at The Royal Mint.
Clare Maclennan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, said: “As the trusted maker of coins for the monarchs, we are celebrating His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge’s landmark 40th Birthday with a commemorative coin fit for a future King. The elegant design features a portrait of HRH alongside his Royal Cypher and the number ‘40’, which pays homage to the maturity and grace of the Prince who has become a senior member of the Royal Family, a devoted husband and a loving father of three, through the eyes of the world. Marking this extra special occasion, we have also struck a limited-edition gold coin made with 5oz of fine gold and struck in high relief to elevate the artistry of the design. Our limited-edition precious metal coins combine fine craftsmanship and rarity, making them an attractive keepsake for collectors and investors.”
Speaking of the design, Royal Mint designer Thomas T. Docherty said: “The design strikes a balance between the fresh energy of His Royal Highness being a young dad with the ceremonial nature of his Royal position. A three-quarter angle of the portrait creates a more dynamic portrait rather than a traditional side-on profile. I used certain clay sculpting techniques on a digital platform to achieve the style needed for the design, to translate effectively from two to three dimensions. Using technology, we can now produce designs and sculptures with better efficiency compared to when I began my career 17 years ago. There’s a high level of skills and craftsmanship needed to sculpt designs – the tools are different but the principles remain the same.”
The project has been a labour of love for the 40-year-old father-of-two from Glasgow who moved to South Wales to study at Cardiff Metropolitan University twenty years ago. The experienced coin designer joined The Royal Mint in 2005 and his works include the 2008 £2 coin commemorating the centenary of the 1908 London Olympics, the Remembrance Day 2016 Alderney £5 coin and the 2018 Bicentenery of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein £2 coin.
Thomas added: “Even though our lives are a million miles apart, I understand how it feels to have just turned 40 and to have a young family of my own, so I wanted to ensure I captured His Royal Highness accurately at this stage in his life. I am incredibly proud to have designed and sculpted this coin, it will forever stand as a major achievement and highlight in my career.”
The HRH The Duke of Cambridge range is available from today at The Royal Mint.
May 20, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint
The Royal Mint has unveiled a new jewellery division – ‘886 by The Royal Mint’ – which combines its’ 1,100 years of British craftsmanship with the latest technology, using high quality gold recovered from electronic waste.
The jewellery and homeware division takes its name from the period The Royal Mint was founded, circa 886, and the inaugural collection features classic hoop earrings, T-bar chains, simple studs and elegant cuffs. Each piece is crafted from solid gold or silver, using ancient techniques more commonly used in coin and medal-making. The precious metals are struck and pulled rather than cast, increasing the density of the metal.
The expansion into luxury jewellery and homeware will help preserve the rare skills of The Royal Mint’s craftspeople, while promoting sustainable design and manufacturing. Around 70% of the collection is currently produced in-house at The Royal Mint.
With 7% of the world’s gold estimated to be contained in electronic waste, The Royal Mint has announced plans to build a plant in South Wales to recover precious metals from mobile phones and laptops. It is using patented new chemistry – created by Canadian clean tech start-up Excir – to recover over 99% of the precious metals contained within circuit boards.
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A Royal Mint employee with new technology
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The Royal Mint announce partnership with Canadian tech start up Excir
Construction of the plant is underway, and will be located within The Royal Mint’s highly secure site to provide a stream of precious metals directly into the business. When fully operational in 2023, The Royal Mint expects to process up to 90 tonnes of UK-sourced circuit boards per week – generating hundreds of kilograms of gold per year.
Royal Mint’s Chief Engraver Gordon Summers working on a cufflink, part of the new 886 collection
Sean Millard, Chief Growth Officer for The Royal Mint, said: “886 by The Royal Mint combines the best of our craftsmanship and heritage with innovation – ushering in an exciting new chapter for both The Royal Mint and wider industry. We are here to challenge perceptions around precious metals and help to secure the future of British craftsmanship.”
“Working with our partners Excir, we have introduced world first technology to the UK capable of recovering precious metals from electronic waste in minutes. We estimate that 99% of the UK’s circuit boards are currently shipped overseas to be processed at high temperatures. When fully operational our plant will process tonnes of electronic waste each week, providing a new source of high quality gold direct to The Royal Mint.”
May 18, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint
Asad Shaykh with 50th Anniversary of Pride 50p
The coin has been designed by Dominque Holmes, an east London artist, writer, and LGBTQ+ activist with a varied artistic background that includes tattoo artistry. The coin design features Pride in London’s values of Protest, Visibility, Unity, and Equality in rainbows. With state-of-the-art colour printing technology, the iconic colours of the Pride progression flag are recreated with special-edition colour versions of the silver and BU coins.
Since the first official Pride UK event in 1972, the Pride UK movement has been one of significant political and cultural importance. Now in its 50th year, Pride UK is more popular than ever and continues to fight against societal oppression and stand up for rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
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50 Years of Pride 2022 UK 50p Silver Proof Coloured Coin Obverse – UK22PSPC
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50 Years of Pride 2022 UK 50p Silver Proof Coloured Coin Reverse – UK22PSPC
Asad Shaykh, Director of Marketing and Communications at Pride in London said, “It was a privilege to visit The Royal Mint as part of our partnership and see our coin being made.
“It humbles me greatly that the words that I coined for the brand, PROTEST, VISIBILITY, UNITY & EQUALITY – will be on an actual coin, opposite the Queen. This queer brown immigrant has come a long way, powered by hope, love and this city. Nowhere in the world had this been possible, except the UK. Pride in London feels very proud today.”
Clare Maclennan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said, “The 50th Anniversary of Pride UK is a milestone celebration, and it is a privilege to mark 50 years of progress with this 50p coin. This is the first ever UK coin dedicated to Britain’s LGBTQ+ community, with colour printing technology capturing the spirit of Pride UK with its iconic rainbow colours.
“It was an honour to host representatives from Pride in London at The Royal Mint recently to strike their own coins as part of the launch and discuss with them our commitment to diversity and inclusion within the business and show how we are reinventing for the future.”
As part of the launch, The Royal Mint will make a financial contribution to London LGBT Community Pride C.I.C. The 50p will not enter circulation but will be available to purchase via The Royal Mint website this summer. The range includes gold, silver, and brilliant uncirculated versions.
The launch of the new LGBTQ+ coin forms part of The Royal Mint’s wider commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Alongside D&I training for all employees, a network of D&I Champions has been established to support The Royal Mint’s wider vision of celebrating differences for an inclusive future.
This commitment also extends to an LGBTQ+ society for employees at The Royal Mint; established last year. Named ‘Enfys’, the Welsh word for Rainbow, the group has hosted Q+A sessions, shared their personal stories and encouraged visibility and allyship amongst employees.
To find out more information about the 50th Anniversary of Pride 50p and to register for updates please visit The Royal Mint website.
May 10, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint
CHANCELLOR Rishi Sunak has named Kenyan-born British artist Michael Armitage as the designer of a new £1 coin which will enter circulation in 2023, marking the 40th anniversary of the modern £1 coin.
The new £1 coin design will be minted at The Royal Mint, who will also release a special collector’s edition to coincide with the launch in early 2023. The new design will celebrate the culture, creativity, heritage and history of the UK in the 21st century.
It is the first change to the £1 since 2017, when a new 12 sided coin replaced the former ‘round pound’ and introduced a range of anti-counterfeit features. The new £1 design will retain these safety measures and feature the fifth effigy of Her Majesty the Queen on the obverse.
The son of a Yorkshireman and Kikuyu mother, Michael Armitage was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1984 and now lives works between London and Nairobi. He trained at the Slade School of Fine Art, London and the Royal Academy Schools. In January 2022, the Royal Academy of Arts, London, elected him a Royal Academician in the category of painting.
Speaking at the official opening of the RCA’s Rausing Research and Innovation Centre, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “I am delighted that Michael will lend his vision to the creation of this new £1 coin design in its 40th anniversary year. This coin will symbolise the rich tapestry of modern Britain and honour our deep heritage and history.”
Coin artist Michael Armitage said: “It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to collaborate with The Royal Mint on the design of the new £1 coin. It is an honour to be part of the lineage of coin-making in the United Kingdom and I am grateful to the Chancellor and the selection panel for the opportunity to contribute to this history in considering what it is to be part of Great Britain today.”
Chief Executive of the Royal Mint, Anne Jessopp said: “The £1 coin is a symbol of Britain that is recognised around the world. As such we are delighted to work with Michael Armitage to create a new design that celebrates the people of Britain and our diverse culture. It is the first new £1 design since 2017 and will combine our 1,100 years of craftsmanship, with cutting edge design to champion modern Britain.”
Michael Armitage was chosen by an independent panel with expertise in coin design and art. The panel was established to advise the Chancellor on the artistic merits and ideas behind proposals put forward by selected candidates.
Further information on the history and previous designs of the £1 can be found here: £1 Coin | The Royal Mint.
May 6, 2022 | News, Royal Mint
May 6, Goldsmiths’ Hall, City of London: Today at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London, the Queen’s Remembrancer, Senior Master Barbara Fontaine, pronounced the verdict on the 7,968 coins submitted at the Trial of the Pyx in January, including the 10Kg “Queens’ Beasts” gold proof – the largest coin ever created by the Royal Mint.
Along with this one-of-a-kind masterwork, created using a combination of traditional skills and innovative technology, 2,700 pieces of the nation’s currency and a further 5,267 commemorative coins were submitted, tested and passed for quality and accuracy in one of the nation’s longest-established judicial ceremonies, dating back to the 12th Century.
Today’s verdict marks the end of a three-stage process, which started in January, when a jury of goldsmiths carefully counted and weighed a selection of new coins (legal tender and commemorative coins) taken at random from the Royal Mint’s 2021 production line. After adjourning for three months to allow the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office time to thoroughly test the coins, the Queen’s Remembrancer then delivers the verdict at Goldsmiths’ Hall, where both the Trial and the Verdict have taken place annually since 1871.
The Trial fulfils a legal requirement imposed by an Act of Parliament (Coinage Act 1971) to conduct an examination by jury to ascertain that the coins of the realm, produced by the Royal Mint, are of the correct weight, size, and composition.
Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company, Dame Lynne Brindley, commenting on the verdict today said: “Today’s verdict is important for the future of coins: both the everyday pieces found in the nation’s pockets and purses, and the beautiful commemorative pieces that have found renewed popularity with both collectors and investors. It shows an enduring commitment from the Royal Mint to uphold the highest standards of quality and provides an assurance that the Goldsmiths’ Company continues to protect consumers by assessing and testing the nation’s coinage with the same vigour today as it has done for almost 700 years.”
Anne Jessopp, Chief Executive of The Royal Mint said: “As Britain’s oldest company, we have an incredible 1,100-year heritage which includes the ancient Trial of the Pyx ceremony. As our business continues to evolve, the coins we submit vary in size, metal, and design but they all remain of the highest standard of British craftsmanship. We are delighted to have that standard affirmed through today’s verdict.”
The Trial of the Pyx today
- The purpose of the annual Trial is to check that UK coins produced at The Royal Mint are within the statutory limits for metallic composition, weight, and size.
- Officials from The Royal Mint bring chests (Pyx) to Goldsmiths’ Hall, hence the name ‘Trial of the Pyx’
- These coins represent one coin from every batch of each denomination minted.
- During the opening proceedings, the coins are counted and weighed, and a selection are put aside for testing by the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office.
- The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office has three months to test the coins.
- The benchmark against which the coins are tested is called a Trial Plate.
- The trial jury, which must consist of at least six members of the Goldsmiths’ Company, is a formal court of law, summoned to Goldsmiths’ Hall by the Queen’s Remembrancer, the oldest judicial post in England and Wales.
History of the Trial of the Pyx
- Origins of the Trial of the Pyx go back as far as circa 1180, when some form of trial may have been ordered by Henry II who instigated various control initiatives.
- The first record of a public trial dates from 1248. Twelve citizens of London and twelve goldsmiths of the City were selected to examine the money.
- In 1279, Edward I published an ordinance called ‘The Form of the New Money’ which described how a sample of the work produced each day at the mint in the Tower of London should be placed in a box, or ‘Pyx’.
- Up until the reign of Elizabeth I the juries of the Trial of the Pyx were composed of a mixture of goldsmiths and other citizens of the City of London. Elizabeth I gave the Goldsmiths’ Company full responsibility for the Trial in 1580, and all jurors were nominated from its members from then on.
- 1707 also saw the production of new trial plates following the Act of Union between England and Scotland, to bring the Edinburgh Mint into line with the Tower of London
- Although previous Trials had occasionally been held at Goldsmiths’ Hall, it became the permanent venue by law after the Coinage Act of 1870.
- The first Trial in Goldsmiths’ Hall, as the permanent venue, was held in 1871 and it has been held there every year since.
- The Master of the Mint – a role held by the Chancellor today – went to prison for six weeks in 1318 after poor tests.
More information on the Trial can be found here.
Apr 28, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint
The Royal Mint has released a new City Views London collection of gold and silver coins with a design which features the iconic Tower of London, the ancestral home of the original maker of UK coins.
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City Views London 2022 UK 1oz Gold Proof Coin Edge
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City Views London 2022 UK 1oz Silver Proof Coin Edge
The coin is the first of new City Views series which celebrates iconic urban landmarks on official UK coin. Based on a long-held numismatic tradition, artists have skilfully rendered intricate details of civic buildings and sprawling suburbs for hundreds of years. Featuring views of landmarks that characterise the world’s greatest cities, they serve as an historical record for future generations.
The inaugural release celebrates the architectural beauty of the London skyline, with the imposing stone fortress built by William the Conqueror at the heart of the reverse design. Inspired by a panoramic scene by the Bohemian artist Wenceslaus Hollar (1607–77), the breath-taking horizon has been skilfully remastered by designers at The Royal Mint. The intricate detail of the original illustrations is achieved combining traditional craftsmanship and innovative laser cutting technology.
The commemorative City Views London coins are available in 1kg, 5 oz, 2oz and 1oz gold and silver, with limited mintages, at The Royal Mint.
Clare Maclennan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, said:
“The first of our new City Views collection celebrates the beautiful London skyline with an iconic design which also features The Tower of London, The Royal Mint’s original home. Combining unique craftsmanship and innovative laser cutting technology, the intricate City Views coin designs are as breath-taking as the views themselves and, based on numismatic tradition, are expected to be popular with architectural coin collectors all over the world.”
Apr 12, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint
An estimated $8million worth of rare and beautiful coins have been revealed for an upcoming auction held by The Royal Mint, the original maker of UK coins, and Taisei Coins, Japan’s largest numismatic firm. The numismatic giants have joined forces to offer the global coin collecting community the opportunity to bid on the impressive range in the upcoming international auction, taking place at the Tokyo International Coin Convention 2022.
The Royal Mint and Taisei Coins have now opened online registration for the auction allowing potential bidders the opportunity to browse the full catalogue ahead of the live auction to be held in Tokyo on 29th April. Of the 800 plus lots on offer, three particularly rare items that will feature in the auction include a Japanese rare Oban, a Henry VII (1485-1509), fine gold Sovereign of Twenty Shillings, and a 1817 Three Graces Crown.
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Japanese rare Oban
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Henry VII (1485-1509) gold Sovereign of Twenty Shillings
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1817 Three Graces Crown
Rebecca Morgan, Director of Collector Services at The Royal Mint, comments “We announced the partnership and auction with Taisei Coins last September and we are delighted to finally reveal the full catalogue of coins that will be on offer. Bringing together the best of rare British, Japanese and international coins, we feel this is the pinnacle of coin auctions and we’re delighted to partner with Taisei Coins on this.
“As The Royal Mint expands globally, partnerships such as this allow us the opportunity to reach new customers as we strive towards numismatic excellence in every part of our business.”
Masahiro Oka, President of Taisei Coins, comments: “Taisei Coins’ relationship with The Royal Mint has lasted for over 50 years and this joint auction is a testament to the mutual trust. We want to thank The Royal Mint and the Japan Numismatic Dealers Association, the organizer of TICC, for the permission and effort to make this possible.
“I think this joint auction has a particularly special meaning since it will be the first time for TICC to be held in two years. Taisei and JNDA acknowledges the significance of this joint auction and is making the necessary arrangements to make it a memorable event like exhibitions centered around The Royal Mint in 2022.”
Taking place on 29th April 2022 at Royal Park Hotel, Tokyo, people wishing to register their interest, or bid online, can now do so on The Royal Mint’s website.
To view the catalogue or to register for the auction, visit Taisei Auction (taiseicoins.com)
Mar 31, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint
The Royal Mint, inspired by Disney, has launched the latest 50p coin in the much-loved Winnie the Pooh and Friends coin collection, featuring Eeyore on an official UK 50p coin.
Also joining the adventure in 2022 are Kanga and Roo and a final gathering of Pooh and his closest friends from Hundred Acre Wood represented on a 50p, concluding the popular nine-coin collection.
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Eeyore 2022 UK 50p Gold Proof Coin obverse
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Eeyore 2022 UK 50p Gold Proof Coin reverse
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Eeyore 2022 UK 50p Brilliant Uncirculated obverse
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Eeyore 2022 UK 50p Brilliant Uncirculated reverse
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Eeyore 2022 UK 50p Brilliant Uncirculated reverse edge
In collaboration with Disney, the childhood character coin designs have been inspired by the original illustrations of E. H. Shepard from A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh stories published in 1926.
Combining traditional craftsmanship and innovation, the classic watercolour effect of the original 1926 manuscript has been remastered with colour printing across the special-edition silver and BU coins.
The new characters follow Winnie the Pooh, Owl, Tigger, Christopher Robin and Piglet, who have each been miniaturised on a 50p since the Winnie the Pooh and Friends coins first launched in 2020.
Designed by The Royal Mint designer Daniel Thorne, the timeless characters have been brought to life in miniature on a gold, silver colour edition and brilliant uncirculated, also available with colour printing.
Adding an original twist, Thorne’s signature bee motif continues to feature alongside the classic design across the 2022 coins, as well as the entire Winnie the Pooh and Friends range.
The latest Eeyore design is available individually from today at The Royal Mint website. Collectors can also sign up to purchase the three 2022 Winnie the Pooh and Friends coins or the nine-coin collection.
Clare Maclennan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, said: “The Winnie the Pooh and Friends collection, inspired by Disney, has proved popular with coin collectors of all ages, and continues to appeal to new and younger collectors wanting to celebrate their favourite characters with a collectable 50p. In the latest instalment of the timeless Winnie the Pooh range, we are delighted to reveal that Eeyore will be joining the fun in 2022.
“Inspired by the original illustrations from the classic A. A. Milne Winnie-the-Pooh publication, the new Eeyore design showcases the creativity, craftsmanship and innovation of The Royal Mint’s design team – with the added charm of the special-colour-edition coins, which capture the original watercolour illustrations of E. H. Shepard, in a fitting tribute to the much-loved adventures.”
Speaking of the design, The Royal Mint’s designer Dan Thorne said: “Using inspiration from the original decorations of E.H. Shepard has been a fantastic experience but one that has also tested me as a designer. With each design, so much care and attention has been given to remastering the iconic decorations for the canvas of a coin while staying true to the texts people know and love.
“I also wanted to add something extra special for collectors, with the bee motif. Inspired by the original decorations the buzzy bee from the storybooks features on each of the nine coins in the collection. I hope collectors can appreciate the beauty in each design in the range and enjoy the special colour editions.”
Mar 28, 2022 | News, Royal Mint
The Royal Mint has today revealed the second coin in the British Monarchs series with a design dedicated to James I – the Scottish king James VI who succeeded Elizabeth I to become king of England.
The British Monarchs range will feature 21 coins over five years and will span four Royal Houses – Tudor; Stuart; Hanover; Saxe-Coburg, Gotha, and Windsor – remastering iconic designs in high definition for the first time thanks to the latest technology and minting techniques. The reverse of the latest coin features a coinage portrait of James I from circa 1604-1619, while the obverse features Jody Clark’s definitive portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
The seventeenth-century monarch appears on this new coin in the same classic design that would have featured on the coins of the Jacobean era. Whilst the design first appeared on British coinage more than 400 years ago, this coinage portrait has been faithfully recreated as close to the original as possible using state-of-the-art technology.
Much like Tudor coinage, fishtailing is a common defect on Stuart coins, where you get a slight distortion at the bottom of letters created by the pressure of a die on the metal which in turn causes an outward flow. Also characteristic of this period is flatter surface area on the blanks which allow for a more polished finish and showcase and improvement in minting technologies compared to the hammered coins of the earlier period. These characteristics have been faithfully recreated in the new James I portrait design.
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British Monarchs King James I 2022 UK 5oz Gold Proof Coin obverse
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British Monarchs King James I 2022 UK 5oz Gold Proof Coin reverse
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British Monarchs King James I 2022 UK 5oz Silver Proof Coin obverse
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British Monarchs King James I 2022 UK 5oz Silver Proof Coin reverse
Rebecca Morgan, Director of Collector Services at The Royal Mint said: “There is strong appeal for collectors with this coin series. There are very few high-quality examples of coinage from the Stuart period, and they are coveted by collectors for their iconic design and rarity and the effigies have been faithfully recreated in fine detail using state-of-the-art technology and numismatic processes. People love to collect the coins of different monarchs, and this series gives the chance for collectors to add key monarchs to complete their collections.”
The Stuarts were the first kings of the United Kingdom. King James VI of Scotland also became King James I of England, thus combining the two thrones for the first time. The Stuart dynasty reigned in England and Scotland from 1603 to 1714, a period which saw a flourishing Court culture but also much upheaval and instability, of plague, fire and war.
Speaking about the design, Gordon Summers, Chief Engraver at The Royal Mint said: “As you move out of the Tudor period, we start getting coins struck in collars, so they were perfectly round. As a result, there is a marked difference between the quality of Tudor coins and Stuart coins. However, there is still fishtailing on Stuart coins, where you get a slight curve at the bottom of the letter. They would have tried their best at the time, but it wouldn’t have been perfect, so we’ve made a conscious effort to reproduce the coins in this manner.”
The first coin in the collection launched in January and featured Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty, who reigned from 1485 to 1509. The first coin of the series sold out within hours demonstrating how popular historic monarchs are with collectors.
Rebecca Morgan added: “The remastered James I coin has been produced to the highest modern striking standards but retains features which honour its unique history. In an advancement from the hammered coins of the Tudor period, the coinage of the Stuart era reflects improvements in portrait engraving and the use of master punches to repeat portraits on individual dies. The table surface of the coin is flatter which allows for a polished finish which is reflected in the new coin.”
In addition to these individual coins, The Royal Mint will also be releasing a limited number of sets combining new and historic coins. These limited-edition sets will feature a British Monarchs coin alongside a genuine historical coin from the era of that respective monarch.
To find out more about the British Monarchs series and hear from numismatic experts at The Royal Mint, you can view the ‘British Monarchs – History in the Remaking’ webinar here. For more information about the James I 2022 coins please visit The Royal Mint website.
Mar 9, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint
To celebrate International Women’s Day, The Royal Mint has unveiled a new depiction of Britannia, one of Britain’s oldest and most enduring feminine icons, on a collectable UK coin.
The new design is inspired by Gustav Klimt’s classic 1905 painting ‘The Three ages of Woman’ and features Britannia moving from girlhood to maturity. It is the first time that Britannia has appeared three times on one UK coin, and champions women of all ages as equal. It was created by Italian artist and sculptor, Sandra Deiana and updates a classic theme for modern collectors.
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The Britannia 2022 1oz Silver Brilliant Uncirculated Coin obverse
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The Britannia 2022 1oz Silver Brilliant Uncirculated Coin reverse
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The Britannia 2022 UK 2oz Gold Proof Coin obverse
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The Britannia 2022 UK 2oz Gold Proof Coin
A second design also features in the Britannia range, capturing Britannia’s time-honoured and classical look. Made with pioneering laser technology to incorporate intricate details, this second unique design retains Britannia’s classical appeal, while displaying a modern vision and was developed by Daniel Thorne from The Royal Mint’s Product Design team.
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The Britannia 2022 UK 1oz Silver Proof Coin
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The Britannia 2022 UK 1oz Silver Proof Coin
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The Britannia 2022 UK 2oz Gold Proof Coin obverse
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The Britannia 2022 UK 2oz Gold Proof Coin reverse
Britannia first appeared on UK coins around 2,000 years ago under the rule of Emperor Hadrian. The Romans depicted Britain as a strong female – a symbol that has endured and continues to grace the nation’s coins today on the circulating £2 and commemorative designs.
The Royal Mint has a strong commitment to gender equality, and in 2018 appointed Anne Jessopp as the first female Chief Executive in its 1,100 year history. It has 50-50 representation on its Executive Board, and is one of a number of companies in the UK to have a gender pay gap which is marginally in favour of women.
Britannia remains one of The Royal Mint’s flagship coin ranges, with new designs released each year for collectors. Last year the collection featured the first depiction of Britannia as a woman of colour on a UK coin as part of commitment to reflecting and celebrating Britain’s diversity.
Claire Maclennan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal said: “Britannia has graced Britain’s coins since Roman times, and is one of the most enduring female icons of our nation. On International Women’s Day we are delighted to unveil an original new design which champions women of all ages as equal. This beautiful new design reflects The Royal Mint’s own commitment to diversity and equality, ensuring women can prosper in all areas of our business and see themselves on the nation’s coins.”
Sandra Deiana, Designer of the Britannia 2022 commemorative coin, said: “I particularly love the Britannia theme – it is the most difficult concept I have faced so far and I will always remain connected to it. No one had harmonised three female representations together. I had to find a way to represent the Britannia icon in three different eras, through the three ages of woman.”
The Royal Mint’s 2022 Britannia collection is available in gold Proof, silver Proof and silver Brilliant Uncirculated editions from The Royal Mint’s website: www.royalmint.com/britannia.
