Posts Tagged ‘Queen Elizabeth II’
Her Majesty The Queen and Prince Philip honour Battle of Britain heroes today
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
The Queen visited Kent today where she opened the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust’s new visitor centre at Capel-Le-Ferne near Folkestone.
The new centre, built in the style of a Spitfire’s wings, is aimed at educating and informing visitors about the Battle of Britain and the airman who defended the country from invasion in 1940.
Her Majesty and Prince Philip met some of the last remaining RAF airman who fought during the pivotal battle. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aerial display group was formed in 1957 with the aim to keep alive the memory of the heroic role played by the RAF in the Battle of Britain and the whole of World War II.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Squadron Logo pictured on the Commemorative Coin
The Memorial Flight’s squadron badge shows the aircraft in their famous formation atop the instantly recognisable red, white and blue RAF roundel with ‘Lest We Forget’ inscribed below.
This historically significant badge has been memorialised on a commemorative coin, issued by Guernsey and officially licensed by the RAF in recognition of this endearing squadron.
Impressively plated in 24-carat gold, the sought-after Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Coin is a prestigious issue which can be handed down to generations for years to come, and is the perfect way to commemorate this historic royal visit.
If you’re interested…
Take the opportunity to own a piece of history with The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Coin, now available for just £9.99. Complete in a capsule with coin wallet, this beautifully crafted piece also comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Portraits of a Queen – which is Britain’s favourite?
With the new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II due to be revealed on Monday, I thought I’d revisit a blog I posted in 2013, which saw the 60th anniversary of the Queen on our coinage.
Back then you voted Mary Gillick’s 1953 portrait of the Queen the best, by a very slim margin. Will the new portrait become the nation’s favourite? Let’s take a look at the previous designs…
The first Queen Elizabeth II coins were struck in 1953 and since then four different effigies adorned our coins.
1953 – 1967: Mary Gillick
The first coins of Queen Elizabeth’s reign bore Mary Gillick’s portrait of the young Queen, engraved especially for the new coins.
Her uncrowned portrait of the Queen is still used on the Maundy Money distributed each year by Her Majesty.
1968 – 1984: Arnold Machin RA
With the upcoming decimilisation, it was decided to refresh the Queen’s portrait with Arnold Machin’s new sculpture of the Queen. Commissioned in 1964, it first appeared in 1968 on the new 5p and 10p coins. A version of the design with tiara was also introduced on stamps in 1967 and remains to this day.
1985 – 1997: Raphael Maklouf
In creating his new effigy of Her Majesty, Raphael Maklouf aimed “to create a symbol, regal and ageless”.
His “couped” portrait depicts Queen Elizabeth II wearing the royal diadem favoured by her on the way to and from the State Opening of Parliament.
1998 – current: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS
The current Queen’s head on our coinage was designed in 1997 by Ian Rank-Broadley. Created to fill the full circle of the coin, its larger size was a deliberate response to the smaller 5p and 10p coins in circulation. A noticeably more mature portrayal of Her Majesty, Rank-Broadley aimed to show the Queen with “poise and bearing”.
If you’re interested…
Collect all 8 of the ‘new portrait’ coins when you find them in your change with The Queen’s New Portrait Coin Collecting Pack. Available now for just £3.99 (+p&p).
What’s your coin of the year?
We have selected our top ten shortlist of the most popular coin designs of the year – which one is your favourite?
Cast your vote now using the poll at the bottom of the page.
A) The Jersey 2014 70th Anniversary of D-Day £5
Celebrating 70 years since the heroics of D-Day, this £5 coin from Jersey depicted a soldier landing on the beaches during the epic conflict.
B) The Canada 2014 Royal Generations 1oz Silver Coin
For the first time ever, four generations of the Royal Family were engraved on this Canadian $20 coin. Also of note is the fact that the coin shows the direct line of succession for the throne.
C) The Jersey 2014 ‘100 Poppies’ £5 Coin
Issued in support of the Royal British Legion, this coin grabbed the headlines with its 100 engraved poppies, one for each year since the outbreak of World War I in 1914.
E) The Guernsey 2014 First World War Centenary £5 Coin
Issued to commemorate the Centenary of World War I, this emotive coin from Guernsey features lines from Laurence Binyon’s famous poem ‘For the Fallen’ alongside a uniformed soldier.
F) The UK 2014 Commonwealth Games 50p
In July the Commonwealth Games was held in Glasgow – and the nation really got behind ‘the friendly games.’ The Royal Mint issued this 50p featuring a runner and a cyclist alongside text in the ‘arts and crafts’ style.
G) The Cook Islands 2014 Moldavite Meteorite Impact Coin
Surely one of the most innovative coins of the year – this remarkable concave coin features a real piece of Moldavite – a mineral created during a meteorite collision with the Earth millions of years ago.
H) The UK 2014 ‘Year of the Horse’ Silver Coin
In 2014 the Royal Mint decided to copy the other established mints of the world and introduce a ‘lunar’ coin, principally for export to China. An unusual departure for our coinage, it’s nonetheless an energetic and lively depiction of a horse.
I) The Cook Islands 2014 Tyrannosaurus Rex Coin
Containing a hidden secret, this photographic T-Rex coin reveals the skeleton of the dinosaur when a UV light is shone over the surface.
J) The Guernsey 2014 Reflections of a Reign Coronation Coin
Looking back at some of the key moments of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, this Guernsey coin features an engraving of the young Queen, alongside a full colour photograph of her Coronation ceremony.
K) The UK 2014 Lord Kitchener £2 Coin
One of the most talked about coins of the year, this British £2 coin reproduced the iconic ‘Your Country Needs You’ poster which symbolised the early years of the First World War.
Cast your vote now!