British History
A Timeless Tribute to Britain’s Longest-Serving Monarch
If you’re a history enthusiast or a coin collector, there’s a unique opportunity you won’t want to miss: the chance to secure a complete collection of British Crown coins, each representing a significant moment from every decade of Queen Elizabeth II’s unparalleled 70-year reign. This collection isn’t just a series of coins; it’s a meticulously curated timeline that honours the life and legacy of a monarch who reigned through some of the most transformative times in British history.
Why the Elizabeth II Decades Crown Collection is a Must-Have
This remarkable collection begins with the very first commemorative Crown issued during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign—the 1953 Coronation Crown. From there, your collection will take you through seven decades of British history, with each Crown coin marking a pivotal event during the Queen’s reign. The journey concludes with the UK 2022 In Memoriam Brilliant Uncirculated £5 coin, the first to feature King Charles III, symbolising the close of one chapter and the beginning of another in British monarchy history.
A Coin for Every Decade: The Story Behind Each Crown
The Coronation Crown
Elizabeth II’s journey as Queen began in 1952, and her Coronation was celebrated the following year with the release of the first commemorative Crown of her reign. This iconic coin features a distinctive portrait of Her Majesty on horseback, dressed in her uniform as Colonel in Chief of the Grenadier Guards.
The Churchill Commemorative Crown
The 1960s brought the passing of one of Britain’s greatest leaders, Winston Churchill. In 1965, The Royal Mint issued a Crown featuring Churchill’s portrait on the reverse, making history as the first time a non-monarch was depicted on a British coin. The obverse showcases the first official coinage portrait of Elizabeth II by Mary Gillick.
The Silver Jubilee Crown
The 1970s saw Britain joining the European Economic Community and Queen Elizabeth II celebrating her Silver Jubilee in 1977. To mark 25 years on the throne, The Royal Mint issued a Crown reminiscent of the 1953 Coronation Crown, featuring Coronation Regalia on the reverse and the Queen on horseback on the obverse.
The Royal Wedding Crown
In 1981, the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer was a momentous occasion. The Royal Mint commemorated the event with a Crown coin that, for the first time, featured three portraits: Charles, Diana, and the official portrait of Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin.
The 40th Anniversary of the Coronation
The 1990s brought the 40th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation. The Royal Mint issued a special Crown in 1993, featuring Mary Gillick’s original portrait of the Queen, surrounded by a circle of eight mounted trumpeters of the Household Cavalry, with the Crown of St. Edward on the reverse.
The Golden Jubilee Crown
In 2002, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Golden Jubilee. To commemorate this milestone, The Royal Mint released a one-year-only Crown coin, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS, with an equestrian portrait of the Queen that echoed the design of the 1977 Silver Jubilee Crown.
The Prince Philip Crown
The 2010s saw Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, stepping down from public duties in 2017. Known for his service and numerous contributions, The Royal Mint honored him with a £5 coin featuring a portrait designed by Humphrey Paget.
The In Memoriam Crown
The final coin in the collection is a poignant tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s life and legacy. Issued in 2022, this £5 coin features the last portrait of the Queen by Jody Clark, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem Crown. The reverse marks the historic transition with the first official effigy of King Charles III.
Assembled with precision and care, the Elizabeth II Decades Crown Collection is a rare opportunity to own a piece of British history. The collection is housed in a deluxe wooden presentation case and comes with a unique timeline certificate of authenticity, ensuring that your collection is not only preserved but also celebrated for years to come.
>>> Click here to secure your own Decades Crown Collection before it’s too late <<<
Royal Seal of Approval: What is a Great Seal?
What are the Great Seals of the Realm?
Since the reign of Edward the Confessor in the eleventh century, the Great Seals of the Realm have been used in Britain to symbolise the official will and authority of the monarch.
Referred to as the ‘clavis regni,’ or ‘key of government,’ they are such critical tools of state that historically, counterfeiting them was deemed high treason, punishable by death.
Their role has remained virtually unchanged for the past 1,000 years – still used in the twenty-first century as they were in the eleventh. All important state documents have to include a seal as the physical mark of royal ratification.
Every monarch has had their own unique seal – with some even having multiple if they ruled for many years. This is because of the composition of a Great Seal.
And The Royal Mint have brought this historic tradition to life with a brand-new recreation of Henry VIII’s seal. You can secure it now in Proof or Silver quality by clicking here, or read on to learn more…
How a Great Seal is Made
Consisting of a pair of silver moulds, or matrices, into which the monarch’s design has been engraved. Cakes of softened wax or more recently of a plastic compound are placed alongside a set of ribbon or cord in between the matrices and when pressure is applied, an impression of the design is made on both sides. The Great Seal can then be attached to the important state document using the loose end of the ribbons or cord. You can see this in the image below.
Warwickshire County Record Office reference CR341/2
So, from this process you can imagine that during a long reign the silver matrices would become worn until they could no longer be used. Only one Great Seal is to be in use at a time, therefore the old one is ceremonially defaced and presented by the monarch to the Lord Chancellor.
Interesting Fact
During the 63-year reign of Queen Victoria, four Great Seals were created.
What was the Lord Chancellor’s role?
Traditionally, the Lord Chancellor has been the custodian of the Great Seal. This is because the office originated as secretary to the Monarch, responsible for supervising, preparing and dispatching the Monarchs letters. This meant that they had the use of the Sovereign’s seal, which soon became the symbol of the office.
Each Great Seal is kept in a richly decorated purse, and it was customary to present a new purse each year.
Interesting Fact
Lord Eldon, during the early nineteenth century, received so many of the elaborately decorated purses that his wife was able to turn them into bed hangings.
How the Great Seal has adapted to modern times
Due to the expansion of the UK government’s dealings over time, the amount of wax used to make the Great Seals each month reached a peak of 50 kilogrammes. This resulted in The Crown Office Act of 1887. The act declared that many of the documents once passed under the seal would now be ratified with a new device called the Wafer Seal.
This device has the obverse design of the Great Seal and makes an impression on paper, which can be on the document itself or on a separate wafer. The traditional version of the Great Seal made of wax or plastic compound is now reserved for documents deemed to be of the utmost importance such as treaties with foreign governments.
Interesting Fact
Queen Elizabeth II had two seals during her reign – the first came into service in 1953 and lasted all the way to 2001, when the new seal was produced.
Royal Mint Release
The Great Seals fascinating history is incredibly tied with our monarchy and democracy – a true representation of our constitutional monarchy.
The brand-new Royal Mint release is a stunning embodiment of this century old tradition.
Remastered from specimens held in The Royal Mint Museum’s collection, you have the opportunity to own a high-quality recreation of Henry VIII’s Great Seal. One of the most notorious monarchs in British history.
The official Royal Mint packaging ties in perfectly, with the ‘cords’ featured that are involved in the production and attaching of the Great Seal to the state document – as well as exploring Henry VIII’s unique royal seal and its historical significance.
Click here to explore the range today >>
Bringing Aviation History Home – The Concorde Signed Frames
Imagine soaring through the skies aboard Concorde, where speed meets history. On October 1st, 1969, Concorde exceeded Mach 1 for the first time, marking a monumental moment in aviation history. This marvel of engineering didn’t just redefine air travel, it created legends. Now, you can bring a piece of that legendary flight into your own home with this exclusive Concorde Signed Frame.
Each frame has been graced with the authentic signatures of ten distinguished Concorde pilots, including Captain Colin Morris, whose remarkable 28-year tenure in the cockpit exemplifies dedication and expertise.
Meet the Legends Behind the Signatures
Captain Jock Lowe
Origin: Scotland
Concorde Career: Over 25 years
Interesting Fact: Captain Jock Lowe was a prominent figure in British Airways’ Concorde operations, significantly boosting the airline’s profitability during his tenure as Director of Flight Operations. He also famously flew the Concorde in formation with a Spitfire over The White Cliffs of Dover to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Captain David Rowland
Origin: UK
Concorde Career: Over 15 years
Interesting Fact: Renowned for his engaging in-flight briefings, Captain David Rowland provided passengers with fascinating insights into the workings and history of Concorde, making each flight a memorable experience.
Captain David Studd
Origin: UK
Concorde Career: More than a decade
Interesting Fact: Captain David Studd was one of the select pilots trusted to fly the British royal family, showcasing his exceptional skill and reliability as a Concorde pilot.
Captain Dave Leney
Origin: UK
Concorde Career: Approximately 12 years
Interesting Fact: Playing a pivotal role in the final flight preparations for Concorde, Captain Dave Leney ensured the aircraft’s last journeys were executed with precision and care.
Captain Jeremy Randall
Origin: UK
Concorde Career: Over 10 years
Interesting Fact: Participating in several aviation documentaries, Captain Jeremy Randall shared his extensive knowledge and passion for Concorde with a broader audience.
Captain Roger Mills
Origin: UK
Concorde Career: More than a decade
Interesting Fact: Instrumental in developing new flight procedures and training programs for Concorde pilots, Captain Roger Mills enhanced the safety and efficiency of Concorde operations.
Captain Tim Orchard
Origin: UK
Concorde Career: Nearly 15 years
Interesting Fact: Captain Tim Orchard was Senior First Officer on the record-breaking Concorde flight between New York and London, achieving a flight time of 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds.
Captain Les Brodie
Origin: Scotland
Concorde Career: Over a decade
Interesting Fact: On August 30, 2003, Captain Les Brodie piloted G-BOAC on the last scheduled supersonic service from Barbados, marking a historic moment as the Concorde bid farewell to the Caribbean.
Captain Colin Morris
Origin: UK
Concorde Career: Around 28 years
Interesting Fact: Actively involved in air shows and aviation events, Captain Colin Morris often flew Concorde for special demonstrations. He flew the Concorde to Athens to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Greek association.
Captain Norman Britton
Origin: UK
Concorde Career: Over a decade
Interesting Fact: Captain Norman Britton was a mentor to many aspiring Concorde pilots. On April 14, 1990, he set a New York to London record with a flight time of 2 hours, 54 minutes, and 30 seconds.
The Concorde Signed Frame isn’t just a collectables, it’s a tribute to the pilots who made aviation history. Each signature tells a story of dedication, precision, and passion for flight. Bring the legacy of Concorde into your home, and relive an era when the skies echoed with the roar of supersonic travel.
