70 Years of HM Queen Elizabeth II & HRH Prince Philip: Coat of Arms on Pobjoys latest

With Queen Elizabeth having sat upon the throne of the United Kingdom for so long, it’s no surprise that records are being broken all the time. The oldest and longest serving monarch, the Queen has also had a stable marriage to Prince Philip for seventy years. With that anniversary coming up on 20 November this year, it’s no surprise to see some numismatics marking the occasion. A massive event at the time, coming just two years after the end of the Second World War, it will be fondly remembered by survivors of that generation.

Pobjoy are the first to jump in with an unusual coin and what makes it unusual is what sits on the obverse. This British mint has a wide portfolio of states that it issues coins for, many of which require the obverse to carry an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. This coin is being issued for Fiji, a country that specifically removed the effigy from its obverse just a few years ago, no doubt tied in with its suspension from the Commonwealth, although they’re now back in. Issuing for Fiji is quite normal, but a QEII themed coin seems an odd choice, although the shield motif fits well.

The main design looks to have some fine potential. The two coat-of-arms are attractive and highly symbolic of the couple. The surrounding elements seem full of detail and the whole design is well packed-out on the coin surface. It will be good to see a finished article as the official artwork you see here is pretty crude.

Available to order now for£41.63 plus tax, the coin comes in a box with a certificate of authenticity. Struck in a standard ounce (28.28g) of sterling silver, the mintage is limited to 2,000 pieces. No doubt we’ll see more coins featuring this event soon.

2017 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH & PRINCE PHILIP SILVER COIN

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The Royal Arms we see today have evolved over nine centuries, since Richard the Lionheart chose three lions to represent England. On 1 January 1801, the royal arms of Great Britain were superseded by those of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This symbol on the King’s shield would immediately identify him in the midst of battle. The full version of the Royal Coat of Arms is now used only by the Queen in her capacity as the Sovereign. The Queen has a separate version of her arms for use in Scotland, giving the Scottish elements pride of place. HRH Prince Philips’s coat of arms represents his lineage as a Prince of Greece and Denmark on his paternal side and his descent of the Mountbatten family on his maternal side. The Duke of Edinburgh’s coat of Arms was granted in 1949 and represents his lineage as a prince of Greece and Denmark. Incorporated into the coin design is Ivy to represent wedded love and fidelity along with Myrtle which is the Hebrew emblem of Marriage.

The two coat of arms depicted on the reverse of this coin are the personal coat of arms of both Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her husband HRH Prince Phillip. The inscription around the crests reads ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ which translates to ‘Shame on he who thinks evil’. Incorporated into the design is Ivy to represent wedded love & fidelity along with Myrtle which is the Hebrew emblem of Marriage.

The obverse features the beautifully detailed Fiji coat of arms, a shield divided by the Cross of St. George with a lion at the top holding a cacao pod. The four quarters contain sugarcane, coconut palm, bananas and a Dove. In order to maintain the exclusivity of this special coin Pobjoy Mint is proud to issue 2,000 in Proof Sterling Silver.

SPECIFICATION

NAME 2017 70TH ANNIVERSARY ROYAL WEDDING
DENOMINATION $2 Fiji
COMPOSITION 0.925 silver
WEIGHT 28.28 grams
DIAMETER 38.60 mm
FINISH Proof
MODIFICATIONS None
MINTAGE 2,000
BOX / COA Yes / Yes
BRITISH POBJOY MINT