Posts Tagged ‘Royal Mint’
BRAND NEW: The Gruffalo’s Child 50p Coin
The Gruffalo, a tale that has captivated children and adults alike since its release in 1999, has become an iconic piece of children’s literature. Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, this story of a clever mouse outwitting a host of woodland creatures, including the fearsome Gruffalo, has sold an astounding 13.5 million copies worldwide. Its whimsical charm and memorable characters have made it a timeless favourite, leading to adaptations and a lasting legacy that continues to inspire new generations.
The First Gruffalo 50p: A Collector’s Dream
To mark the 20th anniversary of this beloved tale, The Royal Mint released a commemorative 50p coin in February 2019, featuring none other than the Gruffalo himself. The design, created by Magic Light Pictures, perfectly captured the mischievous smirk and distinctive features of the Gruffalo, bringing the character to life in a new and exciting way.
The release of this coin sparked unprecedented excitement across the UK. Collectors, both young and old, eagerly sought to add the Gruffalo 50p to their collections. In fact, the demand was so high that more than 239,000 Brilliant Uncirculated 50ps were sold, and all 25,000 Silver Proof Gruffalo coins were snapped up in record time. It became the fastest selling Silver 50p in history with a coin selling every two seconds!
The Gruffalo and Mouse 50p: The Story Continues
Building on the success of the first coin, The Royal Mint issued a second Gruffalo 50p in October 2019. This time, the design featured the Gruffalo alongside the cunning little mouse, capturing a key moment from the story. The contrast between the imposing Gruffalo and the small but brave mouse was beautifully depicted, making this coin another must-have for collectors.
Anticipation for this release had been building ever since The Royal Mint teased a second Gruffalo coin earlier in the year. Speculation abounded about which character might be featured, with fans eagerly debating the possibilities. When the design was finally unveiled, it was met with overwhelming approval, and, like its predecessor, it quickly sold out, leaving many collectors clamouring for more.
The Gruffalo’s Child 50p: A New Chapter
Now, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Gruffalo’s Child, another classic in the series, The Royal Mint has once again delighted fans with a new 50p coin. This tale of the Gruffalo’s curious child venturing into the woods has become a beloved story in its own right, creating memories for a new generation of readers.
The 2024 UK 50p coin dedicated to The Gruffalo’s Child features faithfully remastered artwork by The Royal Mint’s Emma Noble. Available in Brilliant Uncirculated Colour and Silver Proof Colour, this coin is a perfect keepsake for fans of the Gruffalo series.
This brand-new 50p coin celebrates the enchanting legacy of The Gruffalo’s Child. With its engaging packaging and official Gruffalo artwork, this release is sure to become a treasured item for collectors and fans alike.
Don’t Miss Out!
Given the popularity of the previous Gruffalo coins, this latest release is sure to be highly sought after. If history is any guide, these coins won’t be around for long. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of this enchanting story—make sure to secure your Gruffalo’s Child 50p coin before it’s too late!
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 >>
