The Royal Mint, based in the United Kingdom, has launched a platinum jubilee coin collection with a commemorative design featuring Queen Elizabeth II on horseback, an image approved by Her Majesty.
The mint unveiled a commemorative portrait of the Queen for the launch of the platinum jubilee coin collection and the first collectible U.K. 50-pence coin to celebrate a royal event.
Marking 70 years on the throne, the special obverse design by artist John Bergdahl depicts the Queen on horseback and will be struck on the obverse of a new 50-pence coin and traditional £5 crown. The 50-pence coin will be available for £7 (in Brilliant Uncirculated edition) starting today. The coin will be gifted to 7,000 U.K. children who are taking part in the special jubilee edition of the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) Royal Forestry Society Junior Forester Award, which aims to inspire young people to learn about the benefit of trees and assist in woodland management in their local community.
Junior foresters from Saltford C of E Primary School in Bristol joined in the launch of the new platinum jubilee 50-pence coin showcasing the memento in the palm of their hands.
BRITAIN’S LONGEST-SERVING MONARCH
The Royal Mint’s Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin Clare Maclennan said: “The Platinum Jubilee is a historic occasion and one that is particularly special for the Royal Mint as the original maker of British Coins for 1,100 years.”
The Royal Mint has told the story of Britain’s longest-serving monarch on U.K. coins since her 1952 accession to the throne.
Royal Mint Museum Historian Chris Barker added: “The Queen’s legacy on coins stretches the length of her momentous reign, with the Royal Mint striking five definitive portraits of Her Majesty on official U.K. coin and celebrating previous jubilees. The 1977 silver jubilee crown was the first major U.K. commemorative coin produced at the Royal Mint’s Llantrisant home after the minting in London ceased in 1975. Roughly 37 million coins were produced at that time, and thousands were gifted to children across the U.K. as a memento of the occasion. Today’s launch marks another significant milestone, and the Royal Mint plays a proud part in the nationwide celebrations.”
THE QUEEN’S GREEN CANOPY
The QGC is a tree-planting initiative created to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee in 2022 by inviting people from across the United Kingdom to “plant a tree for the jubilee.”
Everyone from individuals to Scout and Girlguiding groups, villages, cities, counties, schools and corporates will be encouraged to play their part to enhance our environment by planting trees during the official planting season between October to March. Tree planting will commence again in October 2022 through to the end of the jubilee year.
ith a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC will encourage the planting of trees to create a legacy in honour of the Queen’s leadership of the nation. As well as inviting the planting of new trees, the QGC will dedicate a network of 70 ancient woodlands across the United Kingdom and identify 70 ancient trees to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years of service.
Dan Rex, the QGC CEO, said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy is honoured to accept this generous and unique gift from the Royal Mint which will be awarded to children from across the nation who complete the special QGC Jubilee Edition of the RFS Junior Forester Award. As the future custodians of the U.K.’s green spaces, forests and woodlands, this historic coin, which celebrates Her Majesty’s fondness for nature, is a fitting memento for young people participating in the Queen’s Green Canopy—a unique tree-planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.”
PLATINUM JUBILEE COLLECTION
This is the first chance for collectors to own an individual 50-pence piece and £5 crown featuring the special equestrian obverse design, in a range of precious metal finishes.
The 50-pence coin, designed by Osborne Ross, and £5, which features a heraldic design by Bergdahl, launched earlier this week with the definitive Jody Clark portrait of the Queen in the Royal Mint’s 2022 Annual Set.
View the full Platinum Jubilee collection, including limited-edition coins featuring a crowned depiction of the Royal Cypher surrounded by the floral emblems of the United Kingdom, on the Royal Mint website.