The Royal Mint launches Through the Looking-Glass commemorative coin

Aug 2, 2021 | Announcements, Royal Mint

The Royal Mint reveals commemorative Alices Adventures in Wonderland coin with Sir John Tenniels original illustrations

Following the popularity of the first coin in the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland series, collectors can now purchase a commemorative £5 crown which features Tweedledum and Tweedledee, based on the original illustrations of Sir John Tenniel in the much-loved Through the Looking-Glass book.

Available in gold, silver and brilliant uncirculated, and special colour edition, the keepsake is part of a two-coin collectors’ series by The Royal Mint designer Ffion Gwillim and Sculptor Emma Noble.

The first coin launched earlier this summer featuring Alice and the Cheshire Cat – the £5 crown provides an ideal canvas to recreate the iconic illustrations in vivid colour and detail, using traditional minting techniques and innovative design technology.

More information about the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland commemorative coin collection – which was created in collaboration with the V&A – is available at The Royal Mint website.

Royal Mint Release Commemorative Coin to Mark Anniversary of Gold Standard

Jul 29, 2021 | Announcements, Royal Mint

The Gold Standard Set (2021 Gold Standard Proof coin and 1931 Sov in case left – HISGS31

First written into law in 1821, the gold standard was a concept linked to the mind of Sir Isaac Newton, former Master of the Mint. Sir Isaac Newton issued a report in 1717 that led to the gold guinea being assigned a fixed value. Following the Coinage Act of 1816, Britain’s gold standard was adopted and it was the first system of its type in the world. Several countries with large economies followed the British lead, including Canada, the United States and Germany. Backed by the newly revived Sovereign, it became a global monetary system that remained until the outbreak of the First World War drove gold coins out of circulation. As Chancellor of the Exchequer, Winston Churchill returned Britain to a gold standard in 1925 but it was abandoned altogether in 1931 as economic pressures mounted.

The anniversary is celebrated on a Proof coin for the first time, following a bullion range that has been released previously by The Royal Mint, with the same reverse design. The reverse design, depicting scales to reflect the balance and precision of the standard, comes from senior designer Dominique Evans. A designer at The Royal Mint for nearly 18 years, Dominique has also created designs for coins celebrating Jane Austen, the Sapphire Coronation of Her Majesty The Queen and the Diversity Build Britain 50p released as both circulating and commemorative, last year.

Dominique comments: “My grandfather was a bank manager who had a large set of scales from the bank, which I have inherited. They naturally became the integral part of the design and I am delighted that they have become part of a coin design of which my grandad would have been so very proud.

“The Gold Standard is such an important piece of financial history, it feels wonderful to have my design used on a Proof version of the coin, especially one with such a limited mintage, it feels like a real collector’s item.”

For more information please visit The Royal Mint’s website – https://www.royalmint.com/our-coins/events/gold-standard/.

The Royal Mint celebrates the 250th Anniversary of Sir Walter Scott on official UK coin

Jul 22, 2021 | Announcements, Royal Mint

Abbotsford House, The Home of Sir Walter Scott.
Scottish Borders, Scotland.
The Royal Mint unveiled a commemorative £2 coin to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth. The coin is pictured with Matthew Maxwell Scott, a direct descendent and Trustee at Abbottsford – home of 19th century novelist and poet. (Photo Phil Wilkinson)

One of the most influential Scots in history, Sir Walter Scott is renowned for his contribution to literature with his novels and poems, many of which remain literary classics to this day.

Marking the 250th anniversary since his birth, Scott’s legacy has been celebrated for the first time on official UK coin. Available in gold, silver and brilliant uncirculated, the commemorative keepsake was first unveiled in the 2021 Annual Set and today launches as an individual collectors’ item at The Royal Mint.

Designed by textual artist Stephen Raw, the coin was inspired by the artist’s visit to Abbotsford, the famous home of Sir Walter Scott. On the canvas of a £2 coin, the words Sir Walter Scott and Novelist, Historian and Poet are inscribed in the same calligraphy seen at Abbotsford’s grand entrance and chapel. The design also includes Scott’s portrait modelled on the Scott Monument – one of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks.

To celebrate the launch, the Original Maker collaborated with Scott’s Abbotsford home and Trustee and direct descendant, Matthew Maxwell Scott – the great, great, great, great grandson of the famous writer.

Clare Maclennan The Royal Mint’s Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin said: “Sir Walter Scott’s status as one of Great Britain’s greatest writers endures 250 years after his birth and the anniversary celebration is a wonderful occasion to commemorate his legacy on a £2 coin.

“The exquisite design, with the inscription Novelist, Historian and Poet, reminds us of the wide-reaching influence of his work. What a treat is has been to reveal this collectable piece of art in collaboration with his great, great, great, great grandson Matthew Maxwell Scott and the fantastic team at Abbotsford, the famous home of Walter Scott, as part of their Anniversary celebrations.”

Matthew Maxwell Scott, Trustee at Abbotsford, said: “I’m extremely proud to see my ancestor recognised on a very special coin from The Royal Mint – a fitting tribute during a year of 250th birthday celebrations. It is a beautiful coin. Sir Walter was a collector of beautiful things and I think he would have loved to have this coin in his collection among the many treasures at Abbotsford.”

Giles Ingram, CEO at Abbotsford, said: “This year we are commemorating the 250th Anniversary of Sir Walter Scott, which is a great occasion to look at Scott’s work and legacy. At Abbotsford, we were delighted to be approached by The Royal Mint to collaborate with them on this beautiful coin. Recognising Scott as Novelist, Historian and Poet, 250 years after his birth on, such a beautiful coin and packaging, truly marks Scott as one of the world’s most famous writer’s and one of Scotland’s most influential sons.”

Speaking of the design, Stephen Raw, who also designed the Sherlock Holmes coin in 2019 and the First World War Armistice coin in 2018, said:

“Sir Walter Scott was such a fascinating character, there were so many routes that you could explore. Being a textual artist, I’m fascinated by lettering and I chose a combination of distinctive Gothic lettering from the chapel at Abbotsford alongside some lettering used by Scott in the magnificent entrance to his home.

“As for the portrait, I used the wonderful sculpture of Scott that sits within his monument on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. I hope that collectors enjoy the design and that when people see the coin, they might be encouraged to visit Abbotsford and the Scott Monument – the second largest such memorial to a writer in the world they say.”

More information about the coin, in a range of precious metals, can be found at The Royal Mint.

The life and works of H.G Wells commemorative £2

Jul 12, 2021 | Announcements, Royal Mint

The Royal Mint, the Original Maker of UK coins, will launch the life and works of H.G Wells commemorative £2 coin as an individual piece for collectors to own from Monday (12 July).

The coin was first unveiled to collectors in The Royal Mint’s 2021 Annual Set, alongside the commemorative 50p for the life and works of John Logie Baird, the 50th Anniversary of Decimal Day 50p and the 95th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen on a £5 crown, as well as the 250th Anniversary of Sir Walter Scott.

The £2 coin will be available in gold, silver and Brilliant Uncirculated from The Royal Mint.

The Royal Mint celebrates the ever-popular Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland on official UK coin for the first time

Jul 5, 2021 | Announcements, Royal Mint

The Royal Mint has today unveiled the first official Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland coin collection inspired by the much-loved illustrations of the original book.

In collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum, the special £5 crown featuring Alice and the Cheshire Cat will be available from today. The coin was revealed alongside the original illustrations by Sir John Tenniel at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance.

Made by the Original Maker of UK coins, the £5 crown provides an ideal canvas to immortalise the iconic illustrations in vivid detail and colour, using traditional minting techniques and innovative design technology. Featuring the edge inscription ‘Curiouser and Curiouser’, the intricate design is one of the most detailed coins produced by the 1,100-year-old Makers.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 2021 UK £5 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin reverse in pack – Standard – UK21AWBU

Much like the popularity of coin collecting, the treasured tales have passed the test of time – currently the second most searched children’s book in the UK on Google.

Clare Maclennan Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said: “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a true classic that has been cherished by generations of adults and children of all ages and is still as popular today. In collaboration with the V&A, we have commemorated this treasured tale for the first time on an official UK coin.

“Inspired by Sir John Tenniel’s original illustrations, the beautiful £5 crown has been crafted to the finest quality, combining traditional minting skills with innovation in design technology. I’m sure the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland range will become a popular choice for collectors, capturing the imagination of people of all ages, and to launch at the awe-inspiring Victoria and Albert Museum during the 150th anniversary of Through the Looking-Glass is a fitting celebration.”

Amelia Calver, Research and Development Manager, V&A Brand Licensing, commented: “We’re delighted to be celebrating the global phenomenon beloved by all ages, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, with the 2021 commemorative coins. The designs masterfully capture the charm of Tenniel’s original illustrations and pay homage to some of the Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass characters that Alice meets along the way. The 2021 coins are set to give fans the chance to add to their existing collections and inspire new readers of the book to discover the magic of Carroll’s stories and embark on wondrous journeys of their own.”

More information about the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland commemorative coin collection is available at The Royal Mint website.

The Royal Mint reunites all ten of The Queen’s Beasts as part of a Ten Coin Set

Jun 29, 2021 | Announcements, Royal Mint

As the original maker of UK coins, The Royal Mint has unveiled a ten-coin set, reuniting all of The Queen’s Beasts in one collection – marking the end of the series.

Each coin design that forms part of the Queen’s Beasts collection is a combination of heraldic symbolism and dynamic realism. Using this skilful blend ensures the design of each coin is in keeping with the other beasts that form part of the collection.

Starting with the Lion of England in 2017, The Queen’s Beasts Collection has showcased and celebrated the history and symbolism of each creature in turn. The ten designs that make up The Queen’s Beasts Collection will now be presented together for the first time with the following Beasts featuring on their very own 2021 date collectable coin.

Queens Beasts 2021 UK Quarter-Ounce Reverse Frosted Ten-Coin Set

• Lion of England
• Red Dragon of Wales
• Griffin of Edward III
• Unicorn of Scotland
• Black Bull of Clarence
• Falcon of the Plantagenets
• Yale of Beaufort
• White Lion of Mortimer
• White Horse of Hanover
• White Greyhound of Richmond

Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of the Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said, “The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts coin collection has grown in popularity and become a firm favourite amongst collectors across the globe, since the first beast, The Lion of England, was introduced onto coins in 2017. We are delighted to be reintroducing all ten of these heraldic creatures as part of a ten-coin set, with each beast featuring on their very own 2021 dated coin. The collection combines a skilful blend of design and craftsmanship with symbolism and dynamic realism. Together they bring to life the ten ancestral beasts that lined the entrance to Westminster Abbey at Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation.”

In June 1953, Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation took place at Westminster Abbey. The entrance to Westminster Abbey and greeting The Queen upon her arrival were ten statues of heraldic creatures, each of which represented the ancestry of the young woman about to be crowned. Each beast represents a royal ancestor that had gone before her and symbolised noble characteristics desirable in a monarch.

Finished to Proof standard, the set is available as a gold and silver quarter-ounce edition – whose coins feature a reverse frosted finish – and a silver two-ounce edition. Visit The Royal Mint website to view the full range www.royalmint.co.uk.

The Royal Mint introduces the Five-Sovereign Piece as the final coin in the 2021 Sovereign Collection celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s 95th Birthday

Jun 28, 2021 | Announcements, Royal Mint

As the original maker of UK coins, The Royal Mint has launched the Five-Sovereign Piece as the final coin in its popular 2021 Sovereign Collection marking and celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s 95th Birthday. Reborn in 1817, the consistent use of Pistrucci’s design has made The Sovereign accepted and trusted worldwide. Whilst also being an instantly recognisable coin, it has come to be a favourite amongst coin collectors across the globe.

The largest and rarest of the coins in the 2021 Sovereign Collection, the Five-Sovereign Piece allows collectors to admire the stunning detail of Benedetto Pistrucci’s acclaimed St George and the dragon design. The design has been digitally remastered from the original Pistrucci tooling, to ensure an accurate interpretation of his 200-year-old St George and the dragon design. This particular coin also contains five times the weight of gold as the standard Sovereign and will this year feature a special element in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s 95th birthday – a unique privy mark – a Royal Crown with 95 entwined.

Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of the Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said, “As the Original Maker of UK coins, The Sovereign has been long associated with The Royal Mint’s 1,100-year history. The launch of the Mint’s annual Sovereign Collection has become eagerly anticipated by collectors across the globe, and we are delighted to be introducing the Five Sovereign Piece as the final coin in this year’s collection – the largest and rarest coin in The Sovereign 2021 Collection.

“This year marks a truly extraordinary and special moment in British royal history – Her Majesty The Queen’s 95th birthday. To celebrate this remarkable milestone, the 2021 Five-Sovereign Piece will have an additional special element – a unique privy mark. The unique privy mark represents the royal cypher crown with the number ‘95’ to mark the celebration of Her Majesty’s 95th birthday – a fitting tribute to this wonderful milestone.”

Born on 21 April 1926, Her Majesty The Queen celebrates her 95th birthday in 2021. Currently the world’s longest reigning head of state and the longest reigning monarch in British history, she has overseen a period of extraordinary change. Throughout, The Sovereign has remained a symbol of quality and stability.

During the 19th century The Sovereign was known as ‘the chief coin of the world’, while its role has changed over the years that followed, it maintains a global reputation for accuracy, reliability and quality.

The 2021 Five Sovereign Piece will be available as a Brilliant Uncirculated edition. To view the coin visit www.royalmint.com/Sovereign.

The Royal Mint unveils official commemorative coin celebrating the life and legacy of Prince Philip

Jun 27, 2021 | Announcements, Royal Mint

The Royal Mint, the Original Maker of UK coins, has unveiled the official commemorative coin to celebrate the life and legacy of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The £5 coin features an original new portrait that was personally approved by The Duke of Edinburgh in 2008.

The Duke of Edinburgh was the longest serving consort in British history, and for decades provided steadfast support to Her Majesty The Queen and The Royal Family. The memorial coin bears the inscription “HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021” and was designed by the acclaimed artist Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS.

In keeping with Royal tradition, the denomination of the memorial coin is a £5 Crown – typically used to mark significant moments such as Coronations and Jubilees. To honour Prince Philip’s philanthropic legacy, The Royal Mint will donate £50,000 from the sale of the coins, to be split between The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the UK and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation. The donation will help the charities continue to support young people in the UK and overseas. The Royal Mint has also unveiled a temporary new exhibition honouring the legacy of the Prince at its tourist attraction, The Royal Mint Experience.

Prince Philip had a keen interest in coins, and was President of The Royal Mint Advisory Committee (RMAC) from 1952 until 1999. As President he oversaw the design of coins, medals and seals for the UK. His appointment coincided with the death of George VI, and the need for a new suite of coins bearing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. In total he oversaw four new definitive coin portraits of The Queen during his tenure as President, as well as the new coins needed for decimalisation.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “This coin is a fitting tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh, who moved and inspired so many people around the world with his decades of service both to the nation and Her Majesty The Queen. I’m proud to unveil the coin on Armed Forces Day, considering his distinguished naval career and unwavering dedication to our Monarch and to his Royal duties, and it is only right that he and the Queen are depicted together on both sides of it.”

Anne Jessopp, Chief Executive of The Royal Mint, said: “Since the passing of The Duke of Edinburgh in April, many have commented that he led a life well lived. He was the longest serving consort in British history, and patron or president to over 750 organisations – including The Royal Mint Advisory Committee.

“The Royal Mint has marked significant Royal events for centuries, and is honoured to unveil an original new coin which celebrates the life and legacy of a remarkable man. It feels fitting that this coin – which was personally approved by the Prince – will also support the work of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. The Awards have benefited millions of young people since they were formed in 1956, and are perhaps Prince Philip’s greatest legacy.”

Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS, designer of the coin, recalls meeting Prince Philip to share the design: “The portrait sitting took place in Prince Philip’s library and you could tell he was a widely read and thoughtful person. It was a great privilege to spend some time with him and, as with other members of The Royal Family, I found he was very generous with his time. I hope the design captures Prince Philip – an impressive, highly intelligent and humorous man.”

Ruth Marvel, CEO of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards said: “This wonderful tribute will help us build on The Duke of Edinburgh’s legacy so more young people can start their DofE Award journey and develop the skills, resilience and self-belief they will need to successfully navigate the challenges of adult life.”

John May, Secretary General of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation said: “The Royal Mint’s Commemorative Coins are a piece of British history and we are honoured to be involved. Prince Philip was a champion of the infinite potential of young people and his Award is even more relevant now than when it started. This support will ensure that more young people worldwide can use the Award to discover their resilience, adaptability, confidence and leadership skills and be ready to face the world of today and tomorrow.”

The Royal Mint and Team GB capture the spirit of the nation with a Commemorative 50p for this year’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Jun 21, 2021 | Announcements, Royal Mint

The Royal Mint, the Original Maker of UK coins, has unveiled the official Team GB commemorative 50p to honour Britain’s shining stars competing on the world stage at this year’s Olympic Games.

In collaboration with Team GB, the official keepsake features the Team GB logo and represents the return of all Olympic sports with dynamic sporting icons etched on the canvas of a 50p piece.

Available in Gold, Silver and Brilliant Uncirculated (also available in colour), the coin launches with just over one month to go until the Olympic Games, reigniting the spirit of a nation behind the sporting heroes ‘going for gold’ in Tokyo.

To celebrate the launch, the Original Maker gifted the coin as a good luck token to Team GB qualified athletes and captured photography of the miniature piece of art outside Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium ahead of the big event.

Created by The Royal Mint’s senior designer David Knapton, the coin first appeared in The Royal Mint’s 2020 Annual Set. The new 2021 coin is available from today as an individual piece for sport and coin lovers to cherish.

Characterising ‘a year like no other’, the contemporary design bares the ‘2020’ graphic, while the obverse of the coin reveals the year of production ‘2021’ with the portrait of Her Majesty the Queen – making it a coveted addition to any collection.

The Royal Mint’s Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin Clare Maclennan said: “We have a rich sporting heritage in Great Britain and, inspired by the stories of the athletes preparing for Tokyo 2020, we want to reignite that spirit of unity for Team GB with the launch of the official commemorative coin.

“The design of the coin, with its contemporary sporting icons, flashes of colour and commemorative date on the surface of a 50p, represent the breadth of British sporting talent coming together as one and gives a nod to the vibrancy of the host nation that will resonate with athletes, sports fans and coin collectors ahead of the greatest sporting show on earth.”

Team GB, Tokyo 2020 Olympics held in 2021 UK 50p Silver Proof Coin carton upright – UK21GBSP

The new Team GB coin for 2021 demonstrates The Royal Mint’s continued association with Team GB which enables sports fans of all generations to share the milestone moments of their greatest sporting heroes, while uniting new and existing coin collectors with a popular family activity.

In 2012, The Royal Mint created a series of sporting coins designed by the public for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. When released into circulation, these Olympic coins are some of the most collectable 50ps. The same year, the Royal Mint won the bid to produce the official Olympic medals, showcasing their world-renowned experience in precious metals to the eyes of the sporting world. Visit the Royal Mint Experience to see the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and to learn more.

For more information about the Team GB commemorative coin, visit The Royal Mint website.

Royal Mint ‘Strike on the Day’ Range for Her Majesty The Queen’s 95th Birthday Celebrations

Jun 3, 2021 | Announcements, Royal Mint

The 95th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen Celebration Sovereign reverse edge

There will be a special edition of The Sovereign, the coin of the monarch, struck on the 12 June, 2021 to mark The Queen’s second, official birthday. Just 1,295 Celebration Sovereigns will be struck on this date and they will feature the exclusive ‘95’ crown privy mark, created for this historic occasion. 1,195 will be available to purchase individually with the additional 100 forming part of a Celebration set. The Strike on the Day Celebration Sovereign will retail at £630.00.

The three-coin Sovereign set celebrating the 95th Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen in 2021 includes the birth year Sovereign of 1926, one of the first Sovereigns of The Queen’s reign from 1957, and a Strike on the Day Celebration Sovereign 2021. The three-coin set has a LEP of 100 and retails at £1,995.

The Sovereign – Her Majesty The Queen’s 95th Birthday Celebration Set

The Queen, who officially reached the age of 95 on April 21, has had her birthday marked by The Royal Mint with an exciting range of commemorative coins, featuring two new designs, for the occasion. The £5 coin features a reverse design created by heraldic artist Timothy Noad. In his design, symbols of the UK nations are represented by a posy filled with thistles, daffodils, roses and shamrocks. The design that features on the reverse of the five-ounce and kilo editions was created by designer and sculptor Gary Breeze. His richly symbolic ‘flourish’ design represents The Queen’s nine decades with nine roses, while 54 leaves signify the countries of the Commonwealth.

In celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable milestone, The Royal Mint has also gifted a celebratory coin to 95 individuals turning 95 year’s old this year.

Five different effigies of the Queen have been created by The Royal Mint documenting her reign, with her face featured on every British coin in circulation. The Royal Mint also marked the milestone birthday by projecting these effigies onto the Tower of London this week, the former home of The Royal Mint.

To view the full range of products available, visit The Royal Mint’s website.