£5 Coins
The six-sided Diamond Jubilee coin that never was…
Did you know that a special six-sided coin was very nearly released to commemorate one of the most significant celebrations in British history – the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee?
In fact, the coin was so close to being produced that the design was nearly sent off for Royal approval before the proposal was eventually rejected by senior staff at the Royal Mint.
But what could this coin have looked like? Stay tuned as we explore more in this blog…
What the UK’s first 60p could have looked like
A document from Kevin Clancy, secretary to the Royal Mint Advisory Committee, and addressed to the Master of the Mint at the time – Chancellor George Osborne, stated “The proposed coin would be a six-sided bi-colour coin with round of nickel-brass and a shaped outer of cupro-nickel.”
The document also stated: “It is recommended that an entirely new denomination coin – a 60p piece – should be produced to commemorate the 60 years of Her Majesty’s reign”.
Whilst the coin was proposed to be a commemorative-only issue and wouldn’t enter circulation, the idea for the coin was abandoned all together, as papers from the Royal Mint Advisory Committee revealed the commemorative coin programme was already ‘sufficiently comprehensive’.
This programme in question of course ended up bringing us the stunning 2012 Diamond Jubilee £5 Coin.
2012 Diamond Jubilee £5 Coin
This was the first coin ever to be struck to commemorate a Diamond Jubilee – there were no special coins for Queen Victoria’s in 1897!
The obverse featured a new portrait of Her Majesty crowned and wearing the robes of the Order of the Garter, created especially for the Diamond Jubilee by Ian Rank-Broadley.
Also designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, the obverse features a portrait of the young Queen Elizabeth just as she appeared in her first portrait with the Latin words DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS (May God Guide My Steps).
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This £5 isn’t the only remarkable issue we’ve seen commemorating Her Majesty’s Jubilees…
1993 Coronation 40th Anniversary £5
This £5 coin was issued to mark 40 years since the Queen’s coronation in 1953 – her Ruby Jubilee.
The obverse features the original portrait by Mary Gillick placed in a circle surrounded by eight mounted trumpeters of the Household Cavalry separated by swords and sceptres.
The reverse features the Crown of St Edward which was used at the Coronation, set within 40 radiating trumpets.
The words FAITH AND TRUTH I WILL BEAR UNTO YOU, from the Coronation oath, are inscribed at the top, with the double dates 1953 and 1993 appearing at the foot.
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2002 Golden Jubilee £5
In 2002, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne, the Royal Mint produced this £5 coin.
On one side appears an unusual bust portrait of the Queen wearing the robes of state. The dramatic impact of this motif are heightened by the absence of any inscription other than the value in small lettering around the foot.
The reverse design, as with the original Coronation crown of 1953 features the Queen on horseback. The Latin motto AMOR POPULI PRAESIDIUM REG(inae) meaning ‘The love of the people is the Queen’s protection’ was last used on the coinage of Charles I.
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The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022
In 2022, Her Majesty will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, after a magnificent 70 years of service to the throne.
According to the Government website, plans are already in place to mark this anniversary, including collaborations with “some of the UK’s leading creative minds, event organisers and world class digital design companies”.
In keeping with tradition, a Platinum Jubilee medal is said to be awarded to people “who work in public service including representatives of the Armed Forces, the emergency services and the prison services.
This tradition stretches back to the reign of Queen Victoria when an official medal was designed to mark her 50th anniversary on the throne”.
Whilst there has been no official confirmation of a Platinum Jubilee commemorative coin in the works, we’re certainly going to keep our fingers crossed that this magnificent anniversary will be celebrated on our UK coinage.
Would you have liked to have seen a six-sided 60p issued to commemorate Her Majesty’s Jubilee anniversary? Let us know in the comments!
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Mod-Rock Legends, The WHO, to be celebrated on UK £5 Coin – What we know so far…
Among the most popular and influential bands of the 1960s and ’70s, The WHO were key to defining the mod genre and originated the ‘rock opera’ both in Britain and worldwide.
Despite having an early influence from the American Rhythm and Blues genre, The WHO’s move towards a new style of British rock allowed them to reject any form of pretension when dealing with teenage frustrations.
The WHO’s undeniable popularity, which spans across generations, has granted them numerous awards and they even reached the Grammy Hall of Fame for their single “My Generation” and the albums Tommy and Who’s Next.
But Change Checker is head-bangingly excited to reveal that as of The Royal Proclamation on 28th April 2021, The WHO can add a brand new UK £5 coin to their impressive collection of accolades.
Whilst the design of the coin remains top secret, we can expect the reverse to show a depiction of a guitar shaped pinball machine accompanied by the inscription “THE WHO”.
Whilst it hasn’t been officially confirmed, we can safely assume this coin will be part of the incredible Music Legends series which brought us the 2020 UK Queen £5, the 2020 Elton John £5, and the 2020 UK David Bowie £5.
We’re so excited for the design of this brand new coin to be revealed – we’re sure it’s going to rock the coin collecting world…
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Queen’s Beasts Series Commemorated with FINAL Celebratory £5!
In 2017, The Royal Mint revealed a series of brand new base metal UK £5 coins featuring an intriguing range of creatures called the ‘Queen’s Beasts’.
The series has been inspired by the ten ancestral and heraldic beasts that have watched over Her Majesty The Queen throughout her unprecedented reign – from her coronation to her Sapphire Jubilee and beyond.
Today, the series as a whole has been commemorated with a BRAND NEW celebratory coin as a fitting finale.
Designed by acclaimed Royal Mint engraver, Jody Clark, the reverse of this coin features not just one, but ALL TEN beasts together on a single coin to celebrate the series as a whole.
The design features each heraldic creature from the series in a striking illustration of Her Majesty’s royal line of descent.
Recognisable as national symbols and representations of the great houses that vied for the throne, the beasts include lions, a bull, a falcon, a horse and a greyhound, as well as creatures of myth and legend.
The Queen’s Beast coins have been some of the most popular releases of recent years and this FINAL celebratory coin is the perfect way to complete the series.
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The History of the Queen’s Beasts
Over 400 years ago Henry VIII commissioned the sculpting of 10 heraldic animal statues. They were produced to represent the ancestry of King Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour. These became known as “The King’s Beasts” and can still be seen to this day, guarding the main entrance to Hampton Court Palace.
In 1952, in preparation for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, sculptor Sir James Woodford was tasked to create ten new statues, similar to “The King’s Beasts” but more suited to the Queen.
He created 10 six-foot tall beasts each representing a different part of her genealogy and thus “The Queen’s Beasts” were born.
The 10 beasts were made up of ‘The Lion of England’, ‘The White Greyhound of Richmond’, ‘The Yale of Beaufort’, ‘The Red Dragon of Wales’, ‘The White Horse of Hanover’, ‘The White Lion of Mortimer’, ‘The Unicorn of Scotland’, ‘The Griffin of Edward III’, ‘The Black Bull of Clarence’ and ‘The Falcon of the Plantagenets’.
The Royal Mint Celebrate the Queen’s Beasts with Their Biggest Coin Ever Made
To mark the conclusion of the Queen’s Beasts commemorative coin collection, The Royal Mint issued a 10kg, 20cm wide coin with the denomination of £10,000.
Taking over 400 hours to produce (including four days of polishing!) this one of a kind original is the latest issue in The Royal Mint’s MasterWorks series.
The production of this coin combined traditional engraving machines to cut the intricate design, followed by a master toolmaker hand-working the coin to remove any marks from the cutting.
One lucky collector is already claimed to be the owner of this masterpiece, having allegedly paying a six-figure amount!
We certainly think it’s an impressive addition to any collection and it’s issue acts as a testament to the popularity and mastery of the Queen’s Beast coins.
Change Checkers have voted for their favourite Queen’s Beasts £5 Coin!
These impressive creatures have each been commemorated on highly sought-after UK £5 coins as a striking illustration of the royal line of descent.
We asked you to vote for your favourite Queen’s Beasts coin and the results are in…
It seems this brand new 2021 UK Queen’s Beasts £5 coin is the favourite amongst Change Checkers, as it takes an impressive 55% of the votes! The 2017 Unicorn of Scotland comes in second, closely followed by the recent 2021 Griffin of Edward III £5.
Will you be securing the brand new 2021 UK Queen’s Beasts £5 for your collection? Let us know in the comments below!
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