Fewer and fewer people in Britain can remember a time when another head adorned our currency or indeed our stamps. In fact, the Royal Mint has confirmed that of the 28.9 billion coins in circulation, never have all of them carried the portrait of the same monarch.
The new, limited edition, £20 coin.
The Queen will become the longest-reigning monarch in British history on 9th September 2015, surpassing Queen Victoria’s reign of 63 years and seven months.
On 1st September 2015, the Royal Mint has released a very limited edition of 150,000 coins with an exciting and creative design showing the Queen throughout her reign as she becomes the longest-serving monarch in British history.
The commemorative £20 silver coin depicts Her Majesty’s passage through time, illustrated by the five portraits that have all appeared, at some time, on UK coins.
The coin has been designed for the Royal Mint by Stephen Taylor.
Mr. Taylor said: “I wanted to convey how Queen Elizabeth has matured on the face of a coin, just like Queen Victoria did.”
“Combining the five portraits was a challenge, as they are all quite different in their composition.”
“The font I used for the inscription is a flared serif often used on early coinage. Mary Gillick used something similar on her portrait of Her Majesty.”
Shane Bissett, the Mint’s director of Commemorative Coin and Medals, said: “This historic event is not only a memorable one for the nation but a significant one for the Royal Mint, maker of coins to the kings and queens of Britain for over 1,000 years.”
“Except for unofficial souvenirs struck for Queen Victoria in 1897, there has never been an official coin produced to mark a monarch becoming the longest reigning king or queen, which makes this coin even more distinctive.”
The coin is available at The Royal Mint’s website.
Photo Credit: Royal Mint 2015.
