With the birth of the new Princess to Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge today, it was a fairly predictable next step that we’d see numismatic mementos of the big event. Earlier, we saw a limited run of gold Sovereign coins that were struck today, but now we’re on to the main event with a range especially designed for the occasion.
It’s a similar style to the coin released last year to commemorate the christening of the royal couples first baby, Prince George. Designed by the same designer, John Bergdahl, it’s quite a nice design but in my view not a patch on the christening coin. While the earlier coin had an intricate and interesting reverse side, this one is much simpler, carrying a large amount of inscribed text circumnavigating the centre. Still, this is one of those releases that is more about the event than the design, so we’d expect these to sell well.
Available in 22kt gold, sterling silver and cupro-nickel, the coin is available now direct from the Royal Mint website at £1,800.00, £80.00, and £13.00 respectively.
MINTS DESCRIPTION
The Royal Mint has revealed the design of the only official United Kingdom £5 coin to be struck to commemorate the safe arrival of a new baby sister to His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.
The special coin has had the Royal seal of approval from Her Majesty the Queen and the child’s parents, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The identity of the designer has been revealed as experienced coinage artist John Bergdahl, who also designed the coin issued for the christening of Prince George in 2013. The obverse of the coin bears the new fifth portrait of The Queen by Jody Clark.
It is only the second time that a Royal Mint United Kingdom coin has celebrated the birth of a member of the Royal family with their official approval. The first – a silver £5 coin issued by The Royal Mint to mark the birth of Prince George on 22 July 2013 – was so popular that its mintage of 10,000 coins sold out within days.
The limited mintage Gold Proof (500) and Silver proof (9,500) editions of the new £5 coin, along with the unlimited Brilliant Uncirculated ‘mint condition’ versions, are likely to be just as popular.
DESIGN & DESIGNER
Designed by experienced coinage artist John Bergdahl, the coin also bears the new portrait of The Queen by Jody Clark.
To welcome the latest addition to the Windsor family tree, John Bergdahl has created a coin that echoes his design for the christening of Prince George, issued in 2013. Traditional in nature, his coin bears a block cartouche topped with a coronet and features lilies, just as the coin for Prince George was adorned with details inspired by the Lily Font, used in the baptism of Royal children.
John Bergdahl is a sculptor who has undertaken a number of commissions for The Royal Mint, including Britannia in 2008, coins for the London 2012 Gold Series, the Mary Rose £2, the 500th Anniversary of the Accession of Henry VIII £5 and the Kilo coin for the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation.
More recently, the artist has been involved in creating designs for The Royal Mint’s programme of commemoration that has marked the centenary of the First World War, and the £2 coin for 2015 that celebrates the 800th Anniversary of Magna Carta.
ADVERTISEMENTS
SPECIFICATION
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER | FINISH | MINTAGE | BOX / COA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £5 UKP | 0.9167 GOLD | 39.94 g | 38.60 mm | PROOF | 400 | YES / YES |
| £5 UKP | 0.925 SILVER | 28.28 g | 38.60 mm | PROOF | 9,500 | YES / YES |
| £5 UKP | CUPRO-NICKEL | 28.28 g | 38.60 mm | B/UNC | UNLTD | CARD / NO |
Leave A Comment