Our catchup of recent British Pobjoy Mint issues continues with a coin celebrating the current British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, becoming the longest reigning sovereign in British history. With her full title being “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.”, she took the throne in 1953 and will this September take the record. Given the age of Prince Charles and the likely age of Prince William should he ascend to  the throne, Elizabeths record will likely stand for well over at century at the very least, and likely far longer. An incredibly popular monarch, it’s hard to argue that she hasn’t done a fine job in the position.

Issued for the Isle of Man, an island just off the western coast of the British mainland, the reverse side artwork is quintessential British paegentry and quite a strong image for the occasion being marked. The obverse as expected, carries the Queens effigy. Available to order now, the standard ounce of sterling silver coin sells for £58.29 plus taxes, and again, a copper-nickel version is also available for £12.46+. The silver coin comes in a presentation box with a certificate of authenticity. In addition to these usual Pobjoy formats, a five-ounce 0.999 fine silver version coming in at 65mm in diameter will also be available. unlike the 10,000 mintage of the 1oz coin, this one will be limited to 1,953 pieces.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

On 9th September 2015, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will pass the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria and become the longest ever reigning Monarch in British history. To celebrate this major milestone Pobjoy Mint is proud to announce the release of a new coin on behalf of the Isle of Man Government.

Queen Victoria came to the throne aged 18 and died in 1901 when she was 81. Buckingham Palace have calculated that she reigned for 23,226 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes – over 63 years. But Queen Elizabeth II, who became Queen aged 25 in 1952, is set to enter the history books when she overtakes Queen Victoria on 9th September this year. However, this is not the first record broken, Her Majesty is already in the record books after becoming the longest living Monarch and, according to the Guinness World Records, the Queen also holds the world record for the most currencies featured the same individual.

The coin itself features an image of Her Majesty on Horseback which is taken from Her Majesty’s original Great Seal of the Realm. The Great Seal is a seal that is used to symbolise the Sovereign’s approval of important state documents. Sealing wax is melted in a metal mould and impressed into a wax disc that is attached by cord or ribbon to documents that the Monarch wishes to make official. Each time a new Monarch accedes to the throne, a new Great Seal is produced and is only replaced for a particular Monarch if the silver plate wears out.

Available in Cupro Nickel, Proof Sterling Silver and 5oz Fine Silver, the obverse of the coin features an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Mann, by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS. The coins are struck to the highest quality with the precious metal versions being produced with a stunning ‘proof’ finish. The design on each coin is in relief with a glorious mirror-finish background.

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SPECIFICATION

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION WEIGHT DIAMETER FINISH MINTAGE BOX / COA
£2 UKP 0.925 SILVER 28.28 g 38.60 mm PROOF 10,000 YES / YES
£2 UKP 0.999 SILVER 155.52 g 65.00 mm PROOF 1,953 YES / YES