Royalty
Discover the UK Coronation Coin Designs…
Last week, The Royal Mint and Buckingham Palace revealed the designs of the UK’s Coronation coins.
Since then, collectors have been eagerly eyeing up the coins they want to get their hands on when they are officially available to buy on the 24th April.
Let’s take a look at the designs…
The Portrait
The special portrait of King Charles III that will be used on this Coronation range of coins has been designed by sculptor Martin Jennings (who also designed the standard effigy). In this portrait, King Charles III is depicted wearing the Tudor Crown.
The crown itself was destroyed back in 1649 during the Civil War, but it was personally selected by King Charles III for his portrait to follow suit of previous 20th century kings, including that of his grandfather, King George VI.
The Tudor Crown also features on Charles III’s Royal Cypher – his royal monogram.
Source: The Royal Family royal.uk
The 50p
The 50p coin design will feature the King’s Royal Cypher, alongside a stunning line drawing of the front of Westminster Abbey.
Created by The Royal Mint’s resident designer Natasha Jenkins, it’s a reference to the Coronation Day itself, when Charles and Camilla will arrive at Westminster Abbey to be crowned.
The £5
Timothy Noad is the designer behind the Coronation £5 coin, a man with an already prolific portfolio in coins. Previously, his designs have featured on the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee issues, as well as three rare changes in design of the Sovereign.
The design of the Coronation £5 features the renowned St Edward’s Crown, carefully joined by the two sceptres that King Charles will hold on the day of the Coronation. These crown jewels have been an iconic symbol of the United Kingdom since they were first created for Charles II in 1661.
Source: Royal Collection Trust
The Ounce
The ounce range of coins feature a heraldic design by John Berhdahl – the designer of the special Platinum Jubilee obverse last year.
Fascinatingly, John has said that he imagined the coin by sketching the initial design on tracing paper, then overlaying more tracing paper to manipulate the layers of the design.
The Sovereign
There will be a limited number of Sovereigns struck on the day of the Coronation on 6th May 2023. As the perfect way to commemorate this day, the design will go back to the original Pistrucci St George and the Dragon design. This will be the first opportunity for collectors to own a 2023 Sovereign.
The coin range will be available to purchase on Monday 24th April on the Westminster Collection website, but if you want to be the first to hear more about the coins, sign-up here:
Behind the design: The Coronation Masterpiece that’s already SOLD OUT!
The ‘Masterpiece’ is undoubtedly a flagship specification for Westminster collectors that truly lives up to the name.
Authorised to commemorate King Charles III’s Coronation, the masterpiece coin is struck from 5 ounces of Pure Silver to a pristine proof finish. The exquisite design pays tribute to the Coronation Regalia that will be used when the ceremony takes place on 6th May.
A closer look at the design…
The reverse features a beautiful heraldic design by Quentin Peacock. It takes inspiration from the regalia and Crown Jewels which are integral to the Coronation ceremony. The six windows showing each item represent the stained glass at Westminster Abbey.
The Crown Jewels are undeniably the most complete collection of royal regalia in the world. At the heart of the Crown Jewels is obviously the Coronation Regalia, sacred objects used in the coronation ceremony. So the six treasures featured on the Masterpiece Coin are:
- Sovereign’s Sceptre – This sceptre represents the sovereign’s spiritual role, with the dove symbolising the Holy Ghost. Traditionally it has been known as ‘the Rod of Equity and Mercy’.
- Sword of Offering – one of the objects with which the sovereign is invested during the coronation ceremony.
- St Edwards Crown – the crown used at the moment of coronation. A solid gold frame set with rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, topazes and tourmalines. The crown has a velvet cap with an ermine band.
- Eagle-shaped Ampulla – used to hold the consecrated oil with which a sovereign is anointed during the coronation ceremony. It’s cast in the form of an eagle with outspread wings.
- Sovereign’s Orb – a representation of the sovereign’s power. It symbolises the Christian world with its cross mounted on a globe, and the bands of jewels dividing it up into three sections represent the three continents known in medieval times.
- Ancient Coronation Spoon – The Archbishop pours holy oil from the Ampulla into the spoon, and anoints the sovereign on the hands, breast and head. The anointing is the most sacred part of the coronation ceremony, and takes place before the investiture and crowning.
Meet the designer
Quentin Peacock has been illustrating heraldry for fifteen years. During this time, he has created many seals and medal art works. Quentin began illustrating in 1999, having studied Graphic Design and Illustration at university and has subsequently worked on many heraldic commissions over the years.
Credit: The Society of Heraldic Art
A note from the artist: “It has always been my aim to demonstrate how beautiful heraldry can be created digitally and even to look as if it has been hand painted. Digital heraldry will never (and neither should it) replace hand-created heraldic art, but we are in a digital age and the need for professional digital heraldry is growing. It is my intention to make sure that it is done well and even to serve as an inspiration to other artists.”
Striking the masterpiece
The Masterpiece Coin is struck from 5 ounces of Pure Silver and uses selective 24ct Gold-plating to enhance key elements of the design.
This stunning coin has been struck to a beautiful proof finish, the highest quality finish. Creating the mirror-like finish requires immense craftsmanship. The dies used to strike the coin are painstakingly hand finished to sharpen the design and remove any imperfections.
Additionally, the dies are regularly removed from the press and re-polished during production, ensuring every coin is minted to the highest standard.
Shop the King Charles III Coronation Range
And as I mentioned earlier, the incredible Coronation Masterpiece coin has already completely SOLD OUT. However, you can browse the full coronation range here >>
King Charles III awards Maundy Money for the first time as reigning monarch
Maundy Thursday is an Easter tradition that dates back to 1622 during the reign of Charles II. The tradition involves the monarch gifting members of the public special coins as part of a special ceremony.
His Majesty attends his first Maundy Service as King
Today, King Charles III attended his first Maundy service as reigning monarch at York Minster. Hundreds of people lined the streets approaching the Minster, many arriving before 7am to get a front row spot.
Credit: The Royal Family on Twitter
The King and Queen Consort, Camilla arrived at the cathedral around 11am and preceded to award specially minted coins to 148 people in recognition of their work for their church and community. The service concluded with the national anthem and a blessing.
What coins were awarded?
The coins awarded included a white purse containing silver Maundy coins equivalent in value to the age of the King. Also awarded was a red purse containing two commemorative coins.
Credit: The Royal Family on Twitter
This year, the commemorative coins gifted were a £5 coin issued to celebrate His Majesty’s upcoming 75th birthday and a 50p coin marking the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation. Both of these coins featured in the 2023 Annual Coin Set, which caused record breaking sell outs at the Royal Mint.
Within just 16 minutes of release, the Silver Proof and Silver Piedfort specifications of the 2023 Annual Set were no longer available to order at The Royal Mint. Other premium limited specifications sold out in less than an hour.
The 2023 Annual Coin Sets are still available in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, secure yours here >>
Queen’s Reign coin honours traditional Maundy money
The 2022 Queen’s Reign £5 coin honouring Charity and Patronage featured a design of traditional Maundy money. This represented Queen Elizabeth II’s advocacy and support of more than 600 charities across the UK and Commonwealth during her incredible 70 year reign.
Secure yours in Brilliant Uncirculated quality >>
