Which Royal coins should I own? A collector’s guide.
Births, deaths, weddings, christenings, jubilees, anniversaries and birthdays – The Royal Family have had commemorative coins issued to mark them all.
But which Royal coins are really worth adding to your collection? With so many out there it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to nine of my favourite coins, each representing a member of the modern Royal family. Without further ado, in no particular order…
United Kingdom 1999 £5 Princess Diana Memorial Coin
1. Princess Diana
No royal collection would be complete without a Princess Diana coin.
The most poignant issue was struck by The Royal Mint in 1999 following the tragic death of ‘the people’s princess’. Diana touched the hearts and lives of thousands across the globe and this coin commemorates her life – with a beautifully engraved portrait by David Cornell. Such an important member of the Royal family should forever be remembered and this is the perfect way in which to pay tribute to her life.
United Kingdom 1998 £5 Prince Charles 50th Birthday Coin
2. Prince Charles
The Prince Charles 50th Birthday coin holds the distinction of being the rarest UK Gold £5 coin to be issued. Just 773 were struck and it also features the most words of any British coin within its design.
Prince Charles founded the Princes Trust in 1976 – a charity which was created in order to help the lives of disadvantaged young people. The coin was issued to celebrate his 50th birthday and honour his charity. As the longest serving heir in British history, Prince Charles is certainly a Royal figure that is certainly deserving of a commemorative coin.
Cook Islands 2011 $1 Royal Wedding Photographic Coin
3. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
The Royal Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was viewed by an estimated 2 billion people around the world.
The most iconic photograph of the whole ceremony was undoubtedly The Balcony Kiss – and this was captured perfectly on this Cook Islands $1 coin. Plated in 24 carat gold the Royal Wedding Photographic coin had an edition limit of just 24,500 – which isn’t many considering the number of people who tuned in to watch the ceremony. In years to come when William is King, those who have this coin will own a lasting memory of the day he married his Queen.
Australia 2013 $1 The Birth of HRH Prince George of Cambridge Coin
4. Prince George
Born 22nd July, 2013, the arrival of the young Prince George stirred global interest – especially from the USA. As the first son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George became third in line to the throne and is our future King.
The Perth Mint issued a Royal commemorative coin which really stood out. Depicting William and Kate with the new-born Prince this was the first official coin from a major nation to feature an engraving of Prince George.
Guernsey 2015 £5 HRH Princess Charlotte Silver Proof Coin
5. Princess Charlotte
On 2nd May this year, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed their second child into the world – Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. The Royal christening took place on 5th July at St Mary Magdalene church on the Sandringham estate.
With a design inspired by the stunning Lily Font which is used for Royal christenings, the Silver Proof £5 Coin issued by Guernsey captured the moment perfectly. The elaborate one-off design makes this one of the premier commemoratives celebrating the young Princess.
United Kingdom 2012 £5 Diamond Jubilee Coin
6. Queen Elizabeth II
In 2012 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. It was a multinational celebration that marked the 60th anniversary of the her accession in 1952.
To celebrate, an exceptional ‘double obverse’ coin was issued. The coin is the first ever UK crown to feature the Queen’s full profile on both sides. With such a rare design, the Diamond Jubilee coin is certainly one which adds another dimension to any Royal collection.
United Kingdom 2011 £5 90th Birthday Coin
7. Prince Philip
Prince Philip’s life of Royal service began at Queen Elizabeth II’s accession in 1952 when he was promoted to Commander after a distinguished career in the Royal Navy.
To mark his 90th birthday in 2011, a specially commissioned portrait was struck on a £5 coin issued by the Royal Mint. This was the first coin in British history to feature both a Monarch and a Consort on opposite sides.
United Kingdom 1980 25p The 80th Birthday of the Queen Mother
8. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
The 1980 UK 25p Coin was issued in celebration of the Queen Mother’s 80th birthday. The design features the effigy of the Queen Mother surrounded by bows and lions – which is a pun on her family name ‘Bowes-Lyon’
This was the penultimate 25p crown issued in the UK and was the first ever British coin to feature a living person other than the reigning monarch.
Canada 2014 $20 ‘Royal Generations’ Silver Proof Coin
Special mention…
A special mention goes to the Canada 2014 $20 ‘Royal Generations’ Silver Proof Coin. This coin was issued to commemorate the birth of Prince George and pictures three generations of heirs.
I think it’s particularly special as Prince George’s birth marks only the second time in history that Britain has had three living male heirs to the throne from separate generations – and this coin captures them all.
So if you’re looking to put together a Royal collection, these coins are my personal recommendations, each with a story to tell. If you own some already, let me know in the comments…
Hi
I have 1. 2. 6. 7 & 8 in circulated ,uncirculated & proof in fact I have
All of them upto 2016.
Also a message for Mr Terrylee Warren if he wants to send me an email
Kent@lesandbarbara.plus.com I will be happy to help.
If this is allowed?.
Regards
Les.
I mainly save £2, £1, and 50p . I have every British 50p from 1969 up to 2021 most in proof the rest mint . I also have most of the Isle of Man and Gibraltar ones but not all . I have every £1 coin since 1983 up to 2021 all in proof condition, and I have all the British £2 coins some proof some mint only 1999 coin I have not got in proof or mint but I have got one from circulation
Hi I wonder if you can help me, I have purchased a coin on one side it has Queen Elizabeth II Diamond jubilee 2012, in the middle is 2 heads of the Queen one old one young.
On the flip side it says Diana queen of Hearts, in the middle a shield with a rose on it with 2 crowns on either side and at the bottom Diana Frances Spencer 1961-1997
Hi there, I’m afraid to say you’ve got me stumped there, I do not know of that coin at all. However it sounds like a good piece to keep in your collection! Thanks, Robin.
Many Thanks Robin i will keep hold of the coin.
I have memorial coins of princess diana and the coin but i don’t know how to find out if they are worth anything
Hi Whykiea, thanks for the comment. Unfortunately we aren’t able to offer valuations on coins. But I do suggest you have a look on secondary market selling sites such as EBay to see how much your coin or coins have sold for. Just make sure you sort by ‘sold items’ only, to get a reliable estimate. Hope that helps 🙂
Thank you so much
I have the coin mentioned in no 8,queen elizabeth queen mother 1980. I intend to sell it if I am offered a good price.
Hi there, I removed your phone number form your comment as thought you probably didn’t want it displayed in public! We sometimes buy coins and our list always changes – take a look here: http://www.westminstercollection.com/sellers-portal Thanks, Robin.
Could someone please help me I live in the US and I am having a heck of a time trying to buy these coins. I can’t even call a phone number. Please help me
Hi Terrylee
Try our international shopping site – http://www.westminsterinternationalshop.com
Hope this helps!
Charlotte
Hi Terrylee
If you want to email me on kent@lesandbarbara.plus.com
I would be happy to help, I am a collector and NOT a dealer
Kind regards
Les.
gold coins under £300
could you send me a up date of all the coins in the collection and whats coming out in the near future
Hi Richard
One of our Customer Services team will be more than happy to look into this for you. You can give them a call on 0333 0032 777
Thanks
Just started…how much will it b 4 complete collection
Hi Paul.
You can purchase the Princess Charlotte coin by clicking here, although the others may be a little more tricky to find.
Due to the popularity of these issues, many of them have reached a sell-out. I’d recommend keeping an eye out on collector’s forums to see if you can find them.
Good luck!
Charlotte
In 2012 Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Diamond Jubilee.
How can anyone employed by The Westminster Collection not immediately see what is wrong with this sentence? Is there no-one there who proof reads copy before it is posted on-line – there certainly should be [as indeed, judging from recent experience, there should also be at The Royal Mint and the Philatelic Bureau].
Hi Richard
Yes you are correct – we should know much better. Now edited to read “Her Majesty”.
Many thanks
Ian Glen, Managing Director
Can you please stop referring to the Queen as a “Royal Highness”. The Queen has not been a Royal Highness since the moment her late father died. She is simply “Her Majesty”. You let yourselves down badly by making this fundamental mistake! Other members of the Royal Family who have been so designated by the Queen are “Royal Highnesses”
Hi Mark
Thanks for pointing this out.
You are absolutely correct – we should know better!
Ian Glen
Managing DIrector
Could you please provide me with an updated list of coins in my current collection that I have purchased
Many thanks
Eric Dockerill
Hi Eric,
If you give us a call on 0333 0032 777 one of our customer service team will be happy to look into this for you.
Thanks
Charlotte