Platinum Jubilee
The world’s longest reigning living monarch — celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday
Marking her Platinum Jubilee in 2022, today she also celebrates her 96th birthday.
Her Majesty ascended to the throne on 6th February 1952 and has since reigned as a constitutional monarch through years of significant change. She sees public and voluntary service as one of the most important elements of her work, having links with over 600 charities, military associations, professional bodies and public service organisations.
During her lifetime many coins have been issued in celebration of her birthday, of which she has two — her actual birthday on 21st April and her official birthday on (usually) the second Saturday in June.
Let’s take a look at some of the different coins released over the years in celebration of Her Majesty’s birthdays below.
2021 UK Queen Elizabeth II 95th Birthday BU £5
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 95th birthday in 2021. This major event, making her the first ever ruling monarch in British history to reach this milestone, was commemorated on a UK £5 coin.
The extraordinary 95th anniversary year is highlighted on this detailed £5 coin, designed by heraldic artist Timothy Noad. It features the date of the Queen’s birth and the year 2021 visible on the reverse. The Royal Cypher takes centre stage, with the quote “MY HEART AND MY DEVOTION” surrounding it along the edge. Ninety-five mills are found on this coin’s ‘waved’ milled edge, celebrating one for each year of the Queen’s life.
Traditionally, UK £5 coins are reserved for the most important Royal and Historical anniversaries, and there are few Royal events which are as important as Her Majesty’s birthday.
QEII 95th Birthday BU 50p
In 2021, 10,000 of these 95th Birthday 50ps were released into circulation on the Isle of Man. Fully approved by Buckingham Palace, this design features specially commissioned artwork by sculptor Luigi Badia.
Badia has impressively created over twenty-five portraits of the Queen and this QEII 95th Birthday Brilliant Uncirculated 50p features a recently designed portrait of Her Majesty. His process of sketching a new portrait of the Queen starts with collecting lots of reliable references, combining them to make a unique portrait.
When Badia sketches a portrait to feature specifically on a coin, he usually chooses a profile portrait for a more traditional design. He uses the sketch just as a guide for then producing the plaster model, which he crafts himself over a few weeks to ensure the final coins depict his version exactly.
British Isles 50p coins like this rarely turn up in your change in the UK, making these 50p coins some of the most sought-after circulating coins around.
UK 2021 Queen Elizabeth II’s Official Birthday Silver
DateStamp™ Issue
This special DateStamp™ issue features JUST 500 hand-selected UK 2021 Royal Coat of Arms 1oz Silver Coins, protectively encapsulated and stamped with the official Royal Mail one-day-only postmark of 12th June 2021 – the official date of Her Majesty’s 95th birthday.
This 1oz coin is impeccably struck from 99.9% Pure Silver to The Royal Mint’s Bullion finish. The reverse design by Timothy Noad depicts the official Coat of Arms of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, with the historic design celebrating centuries of British Royal lineage — The Royal Arms is the official coat of Arms of the ruling monarch.
The UK Royal Coat of Arms 1oz Silver Coin has a maximum mintage of 100,000 coins but considering JUST 500 of these limited DateStamp™ issues were available upon initial release, it makes this particular presentation incredibly sought-after.
Visible within the reverse design are the national flowers for each country within the UK: the Tudor rose of England, the Leek for Wales, the Shamrock for Northern Ireland, and the Thistle for Scotland. Featuring on the obverse is Jody Clark’s definitive coinage portrait of Her Majesty the Queen.
2006 UK 80th Birthday £5 Coin
In 2006 a special £5 coin was released, which has since been announced as the fourth rarest £5 coin issued (as of the latest mintage update in 2013)! This £5 coin celebrates the Queen’s 80th birthday, with the dates 1926 and 2006 inscribed as Her Majesty was born in 1926.
This £5 coin is very popular with collectors, which is not surprising when you see its beautiful design. Three trumpets with trumpet banners display on the reverse, accompanied by the inscription “VIVAT REGINA”, the Latin phrase for ‘long live the Queen’. Danuta Solowiej-Wedderburn designed the reverse whilst the obverse features Ian Rank-Broadley’s (FRBS) portrait of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
One such event that took place for Her Majesty’s 80th birthday included an informal walkabout in which the Queen spent roughly forty-five minutes interacting with more than 20,000 well-wishers who lined the streets outside Windsor Castle. She was accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh and crowds waved Union flags, as well as carried colourful celebratory bouquets.
Did you know that due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Trooping the Colour ceremony which traditionally marks Her Majesty’s official birthday, could not follow its long-established format in 2021.
Coins that have an interesting back-story, such as these, can be particularly sought-after with collectors!
Explore our range of coins in celebration of the Queen’s previous birthday’s by clicking here >>
How women have been celebrated on Royal Mint coins – International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievement, raise awareness against bias, and take action for equality.
To mark this annual event, The Royal Mint launched a new Britannia coin, depicting three images of the Allegorical figure.
She is one of Britain’s longest-standing and most enduring feminine icons, who first appeared on coins back in the Roman era.
The new design is inspired by Gustav Klimt’s classic 1905 painting ‘The Three ages of Woman’ and features Britannia moving from girlhood to maturity.
The design, created by Italian artist and sculptor Sandra Deiana, the coin sees Britannia appear three times on one coin, a UK first!
However, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen remarkable women commemorated on a UK coin…
2022 UK Platinum Jubilee Coins
In 2022, to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, The Royal Mint issued TWO new coins.
Platinum Jubilee 50p and £5 have both been designed to reflect the significance of this important anniversary.
The Platinum Jubilee 50p features a reverse design by agency Osborne Ross celebrating the Queen’s 70 years of service. But, what’s particularly special about this coin is that TWO versions have actually been created…
One includes an obverse design by John Bergdahl featuring the Queen on horseback – reminiscent of Her Majesty’s very first Coronation Crown – and the other includes Jody Clark’s obverse of the Queen’s portrait.
Not only do we see this difference on the new 50p coin, but the obverse design has also been replicated on the Platinum Jubilee £5 coin, along with a reverse design by John Bergdahl featuring the Queen’s garter robes.
This coin was so popular that the ENTIRE limited edition range sold-out completely at The Royal Mint within a day.
Browse the Platinum Jubilee coin range on our website by clicking here!
2020 UK Rosalind Franklin 50p
Rosalind Franklin is one of Britain’s best scientific minds. Without her ground-breaking research we would not understand the complexities of DNA as we do today.
To mark the 100th anniversary of her birth, and to celebrate her legacy, The Royal Mint authorised for a UK 50p to be issued – the second coin in the Innovation in Science series.
It features a striking design by David Knapton, that puts Rosalind Franklin at the heart of the DNA story.
It depicts the infamous Photograph 51 that led Franklin to her discovery that DNA has a double helix structure – the same picture that was used by Watson and Crick, robbing Franklin of the accolades that were rightly hers.
Browse our Rosalind Franklin coin range here!
2022 Dame Vera Lynn £2
Known for boosting the morale of the troops and the nation throughout the Second World War, Vera Lynn was voted the ‘Forces Sweetheart’.
Later after the war, in 1975, she was awarded Dame Commander of the British Empire as recognition for her dedication to charity work.
This stunning £2 BU Pack has been issued by The Royal Mint to celebrate the life and the legacy of Dame Vera Lynn.
As one of Britain’s most iconic entertainers, she captured the hearts of thousands as she sang to the nation during a time of turmoil.
To avoid missing out on this 2022 issue commemorating one of Britain’s most beloved entertainers and war-time figures, make sure to secure yours now by clicking here.
Of course, these are just a handful of UK coins which have been issued to commemorate influential women. Who would you like to see commemorated on a UK coin? Let us know in the comments below!
How Elizabeth II became our Queen overnight: 8 facts you may not know about Her Majesty
Today marks Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, commemorating 70 years on the throne. Ruling for longer than any other British Monarch, Her Majesty becomes the first ever Sovereign to reach this incredible milestone.
She has become a constant and reassuring figure for the UK and Commonwealth, and her devotion to the throne is something we can all commend.
On the 6th February 1952, the Queen’s father, King George VI, sadly passed away. He became King unexpectedly in December 1936, after his brother’s abdication.
He served 16 years on the throne before his weakening health and failure to recover from a lung operation saw his passing at the age of 56.
At the time of his death, the Queen was in Kenya on a tour of the Commonwealth. Her trip was cut short and she returned to Britain with husband, Philip. Overnight, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, aged 25, became the first Sovereign in more than 200 years to accede to the throne whilst abroad. Since then, Her Majesty has ruled for an inspirational 70 years.
In recognition of this poignant anniversary year, I have gathered some fascinating facts about Her Majesty which I am excited to share with you.
Continue reading to discover more…
1. Her Majesty has the final say over new bills made in the Act of Parliament.
By royal assent, the Queen formally agrees to make a bill into an Act of Parliament once it has completed all the necessary parliamentary stages. Since her accession in 1952, over 3000 Acts of Parliament have been given Royal assent by the Queen.
2. Queen Elizabeth II owns the rarest Pink Diamond in the world.
Given to her as a wedding present in the 1950’s, the Williamson Pink Diamond weighs a mighty 54.50 Carats. The diamond was set into a flower brooch by Cartier jewellers and was completed the same year that Her Majesty became Queen.
3. Doesn’t need a passport or driving licence.
All driving licences and passports in the UK are issued in the name of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, meaning that she doesn’t actually need either one herself. When she worked within the Auxiliary Territorial Service in World War Two, the Queen learnt to drive but never needed to take a test legally!
4. The Queen cannot be prosecuted!
The Queen, as the Sovereign, is free from all and any legal proceedings taken against her. Having said this, Her Majesty still follows the law carefully.
5. The Queen always pours her tea before her milk
It is known that the Queen has a cup of tea every morning before her breakfast. But did you know that it’s believed she pours her boiling hot water into the cup before her milk?
Historically, it was believed that only teacups made from fine bone China could sustain the heat of boiling water without cracking. For teacups made from arguably cheaper material, it was recommended that you pour milk in first, to reduce the temperature.
Therefore, the type of teacup you owned, would determine the method in which you made your cup of tea!
Do you pour the brewed water or milk first? Let us know in the comments!
6. Her Majesty is believed to have owned over 30 Corgi dogs!
Over the years, The Queen is believed to have owned over 30 dogs of the Corgi breed. Her first puppy, Susan, was considered to have kick-started Her Majesty’s love for dogs.
As of today, she remains the patron of the Dogs Trust Dog Welfare organisation!
7. The Queen has visited over 265 overseas territories during her reign!
Although Queen Victoria ruled over 70 territories, she never left Europe! In contrast, Queen Elizabeth II owns the title of the most-well travelled monarch in history.
Having travelled to over 265 official overseas territories during her reign, it’s fair to describe Her Majesty as a bit of a jetsetter!
8. The Queen ‘owns’ a Marks & Spencer’s (M&S) and a McDonalds?
In 2015, the Banbury Gateway Shopping Park opened, built on a piece of land belonging to the Crown Estate.
For the duration of the reigning monarch, ownership of the Crown Estate falls to them, meaning Queen Elizabeth II technically owns all that is built on the land. Which means the M&S and McDonalds, amongst other buildings in the park, is technically owned by her.
Have you learnt anything new today? I certainly have!
From a young girl who didn’t expect to become Queen, Her Majesty’s 70-year reign is very impressive, and she is an awe-inspiring figure across the world.
If you’re interested…
To mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, we are giving three lucky collectors the chance to win one of the BRAND NEW British Isles Platinum Jubilee BU 50p Sets.
Watch the video below to find out how to enter!
