22 May 2013
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New Royal Mint coins celebrate sixtieth anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
The Royal Mint has issued two new coins to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. ...
The Royal Mint has issued two new coins to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
The coins - a limited edition kilo and a 5oz coin, celebrate sixty years of the reign of the Queen, which began with the coronation in 1953 when The Royal Mint issued a shilling, its first coin to feature a portrait of the new queen. Archives at The Royal Mint record the excitement of the Mint's staff at the issue of the shilling, with each member of Royal Mint staff receiving a commemorative coronation crown piece to mark the coronation. The Mint also held a draw which gave fourteen staff members the chance to watch the coronation procession from the unique vantage point of windows overlooking Whitehall.
Coronation kilo coins
The Royal Mint's gold and silver proof kilo coins were designed by John Bergdhal and include floral symbols of the four nations of the British Isles, plus the St Edward's Crown, and an orb and sceptre to symbolise the ancient coronation ceremony. The coins also feature the familiar Ian Rank Broadley FRBS portrait of the Queen.
John Bergdhal said of his design: 'Drawing upon my many years’ experience as an heraldic engraver I chose to base my design on the asymmetric style of the Rococo period, popular in the middle years of the eighteenth century and seemingly appropriate for a ceremony that has remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of years. I set out to make the coin as opulent as possible.'
5oz coronation coins
Designer Jonathan Olliffe chose the splended surroundings of the coronation's venue Westminster Abbey as the inspiration for his gold and silver proof 5oz coins created for The Royal Mint. The reverse of the coins feature Jonathan's portrayal of the central aisle of the Abbey, where coronations have been held for 900 years. An orb, sceptre and coronation robe are arranged in the foreground.
Jonathan said: 'To emphasise the perspective view of the Westminster Abbey interior, it was important that a sense of depth was created within the Abbey setting. This was achieved by placing the ceremonial regalia in the foreground, enhancing the scale and detail of these beautiful objects and allowing the viewer to be led beyond, into the heart of Westminster Abbey.'
To purchase one of the coins, visit The Royal Mint's website.
The coins - a limited edition kilo and a 5oz coin, celebrate sixty years of the reign of the Queen, which began with the coronation in 1953 when The Royal Mint issued a shilling, its first coin to feature a portrait of the new queen. Archives at The Royal Mint record the excitement of the Mint's staff at the issue of the shilling, with each member of Royal Mint staff receiving a commemorative coronation crown piece to mark the coronation. The Mint also held a draw which gave fourteen staff members the chance to watch the coronation procession from the unique vantage point of windows overlooking Whitehall.
Coronation kilo coins
The Royal Mint's gold and silver proof kilo coins were designed by John Bergdhal and include floral symbols of the four nations of the British Isles, plus the St Edward's Crown, and an orb and sceptre to symbolise the ancient coronation ceremony. The coins also feature the familiar Ian Rank Broadley FRBS portrait of the Queen.
John Bergdhal said of his design: 'Drawing upon my many years’ experience as an heraldic engraver I chose to base my design on the asymmetric style of the Rococo period, popular in the middle years of the eighteenth century and seemingly appropriate for a ceremony that has remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of years. I set out to make the coin as opulent as possible.'
5oz coronation coins
Designer Jonathan Olliffe chose the splended surroundings of the coronation's venue Westminster Abbey as the inspiration for his gold and silver proof 5oz coins created for The Royal Mint. The reverse of the coins feature Jonathan's portrayal of the central aisle of the Abbey, where coronations have been held for 900 years. An orb, sceptre and coronation robe are arranged in the foreground.
Jonathan said: 'To emphasise the perspective view of the Westminster Abbey interior, it was important that a sense of depth was created within the Abbey setting. This was achieved by placing the ceremonial regalia in the foreground, enhancing the scale and detail of these beautiful objects and allowing the viewer to be led beyond, into the heart of Westminster Abbey.'
To purchase one of the coins, visit The Royal Mint's website.
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