New U.K. coins mark 100 years since birth of Elizabeth II

The Royal Mint has unveiled a new commemorative coin range marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II, a monarch whose image appeared on Canadian coinage for seven decades.

Born April 21, 1926, Elizabeth became Queen in 1952 and went on to reign for 70 years, the longest in British history. Throughout that time, her effigy was a constant presence on circulating and commemorative coins in Canada and across the Commonwealth, including issues produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.

The new United Kingdom coin program reflects on the late Queen’s life and legacy through two distinct reverse designs. One, created by heraldic artist Timothy Noad, draws inspiration from the ironwork of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where Elizabeth is buried. A second design by artist Henry Gray features oak branches intertwined with symbolic elements representing the four nations of the United Kingdom.

The range includes gold and silver Proof coins along with Brilliant Uncirculated editions, as well as curated sets highlighting key milestones from the Queen’s life and reign. A limited number of special Sovereign coins will also be struck on April 21, 2026, marking exactly 100 years since her birth.

While issued in the U.K., the coins are expected to draw strong interest from Canadian collectors and others across the Commonwealth, where Elizabeth remained a central figure for generations. In Canada, her portrait appeared on coins from 1953 through 2023, making her one of the most recognizable figures in the country’s numismatic history.

The centennial issue underscores the enduring connection between the monarchy and coinage, a link that remains especially significant for collectors who followed the evolution of Elizabeth’s effigy across multiple decades and designs.

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