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Two new coins designed in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee were unveiled by the Royal Mint today.
The release of the 50p and a £5 crown is the first chance for collectors to own a keepsake from the Platinum Jubilee collection.
The 50p is the first of its kind to celebrate a royal event while the £5 coin follows the tradition of marking previous Jubilees on crown pieces.
Each of the coins features a new and unique design by a commissioned artist and the obverse portrait of Her Majesty, designed by Jody Clark.
The Royal Mint has unveiled two coins (pictured) to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is on February 6, 2022 and will mark 70 years since Her Majesty started her reign
Each of the coins features a new and unique design by a commissioned artist and the obverse portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, designed by Jody Clark
While £5 coins usually commemorate royal events it is the first time a 50p coin has been used
The coin has the Queen’s cypher within the zero of the 70 that celebrates the number of years Her Majesty will have been on the throne
In addition to the Jubilee coins, there will be £2 coins recognising the life and legacy of Dame Vera Lynn and Alexander Graham Bell.
There will also be a 50p coin marking next year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Clare Maclennan, from The Royal Mint, said: ‘Each year, the Royal Mint unveils a series of commemorative coins to celebrate key milestones that helped shape Britain and this year’s Annual Set is particularly special with a new 50 pence, £5 crown and special platinum set in celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953 at Westminster Abbey in London. Her Majesty acceded to the throne when her father, George VI, died on February 6, 1952
The Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in February next year as the country pays tribute to the monarch of 70 years
Each year the Royal Mint releases a series of coins marking key milestones that helped shape Great Britain
As well as the two Platinum Jubilee coins the Royal Mint has unveiled a £2 coin embossed with the face of Dame Vera Lynn, a 50p coin celebrating the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and a £2 coin honouring Alexander Graham Bell
‘As the Original Maker of UK coins, the Royal Mint has been trusted to strike coins for Her Majesty throughout an historic 70 years on the throne and celebrated royal milestones such as previous Jubilees on commemorative crown pieces.
‘The Platinum Jubilee celebration is a spectacular first for the British monarchy and for UK coins, and it is fitting that this historic anniversary has been celebrated on 50 pence – which is Britain’s most loved, collectable coin.’
The Platinum Jubilee 50p was designed by Osborne Ross and features a clean reverse design that comprises the number 70, The Queen’s cypher and the years that span her reign.
Dame Vera Lynn became a symbol of freedom during the Second World War for men often thousands of miles from home. She sang songs such as ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’, which gave people hope in their darkest hours that they would one day return to their loved-ones in Britain
The special coin features a portrait of the World War Two forces’ sweetheart at the height of her fame
Dame Vera Lynn aged 30 in December 1947. The wartime singer died last year at the age of 103
The £5 crown was designed by John Bergdahl and features a regal design centralised by the quartered shield of the Royal Arms.
The precious metals versions also include the edge inscription ‘SERVE YOU ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE’ in reference to The Queen’s longevity as monarch.
The £2 Dame Vera Lynn coin features a portrait of the World War Two forces’ sweetheart at the height of her fame.
Best known for the first practical telephone, Alexander Graham Bell was born in Edinburgh and was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator
The £2 coin celebrating his groundbreaking invention is emblazoned with a telephone keypad with the phrase ‘Pioneer Of The Telephone’ written across the numbers
Edinburgh-born Alexander Graham Bell (pictured) invented the telephone in the nineteenth century
A 50p coin to highlight the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has also been revealed by the Royal Mint
The coin features a unique design by Jody Clark of multiple circles as well as a portrait of the Queen on its other side
Meanwhile, the centenary of the death of Alexander Graham Bell has been recognised with a £2 coin designed by Henry Gray.
The reverse of the coin shows the dial of a push-button phone, along with the words ‘Pioneer Of The Telephone’ inscribed on the buttons.
Finally, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games 50p was designed by The Royal Mint’s Natasha Preece.
What is a £5 crown coin?
£5 crown coins are created to mark significant occasions of national importance, most of which are royal celebrations.
Crowns used to have a face value of 25p (5 shillings before decimalisation in 1971).
The face value rose to £5 in 1990 to give the coin a value that was more akin to its weight and size compared to other coins.
A special edition £5 coin released in 2021 to celebrate the life of the Duke of Edinburgh
Each crown issue receives the go-ahead by Royal Proclamation, which means technically it is legal tender, although most people keep a crown piece.
Some banks allow it to be deposited, although they are not obliged to.
Crowns can be swapped for goods at post office branches around the UK.
| First Issued | August 4, 1990 (previously crowns had a face value of 25p) |
| Diameter | 38.61mm |
| Weight | 28.28g |
| Composition | Cupro-nickel ( 75% copper, 25% nickel) Collector versions struck in precious metals |
| Edge | Milled |
| Obverse design | Portrait of Her Majesty the Queen |
Source: The Royal Mint
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