Following on from the Royal Mint embracing the $ for $ concept popularised in recent years by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM), they too have decided to expand from the initial £20 mark up into the higher reaches of coin values with an all-new £100 for £100 denominated silver release.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, it basically involves selling a precious metal numismatic collectable coin for its face value, hence £20 for £20, $50 for $50, etc. The beauty of the idea is that the coin will always be worth what you paid for it, even if, as is usually the case, the silver content doesn’t cover the denomination. The bonus comes if the coin turns out to be particularly popular, if the price of silver rises considerably again, or especially a combination of the two means that the coins value may rise above the issue price. In theory, a no-risk numismatic.
The Royal Mint have taken the leap to £100 with a two-ounce silver coin featuring that most British of architectural icons, Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower from the Houses of Parliament in London. It’s a terrific design, looking at the tower from a less traditional angle, expertly framed with tree foliage. Disappointingly, even though it’s a two-ounce lump, the extra weight has gone on thickness and not on diameter where the greater area would have given the design more room to shine. It’s to be expected however, as these have to be usable as currency even if they never will be, plus this mint has a history with Piedfort (double-thickness) coins.
Packaging, as with all these coins is quite simple, though well realised. While we certainly don’t expect the Royal Mint to follow Canada to the heady heights of $200 for $200, it’s worth noting that these coins do actually sell quite well, and if this one if a good seller, we can see the concept becoming a regular fixture and perhaps expanding further (the RCM has $20, $25, $50, $100 and $200 coins). The Daily Mail actually has some good production images of the coin worth checking out. Available now.
MINTS DESCRIPTION
Embrace the sights and sounds of British life with a majestic coin, the UK’s first £100 coin available at face value, struck in a full two ounces of 999 fine silver and bearing a stunning architectural portrait of a true world icon. The magnificent Elizabeth Tower that houses the mighty Big Ben graces its reverse, so iconic that you can almost hear the rousing chimes that reverberate across this land and far beyond these shores, the very heartbeat of the nation.
Since those chimes first rang out across London in 1859, Big Ben has hung in the Elizabeth Tower, resolute no matter what the country faces, steadfastly marking each passing hour, ushering in new dawns, eras, decades, centuries and even millennia. The bell tolls in times of celebration, respectfully silent as the country mourns, a mighty and majestic messenger uniting the nation with tidings of joy or sadness.
This wonderful coin celebrates a beloved part of the recognisable portrait of Britain, seen through the eyes of the tourists who flock to visit this architectural marvel. With just 50,000 of these coins available at face value of £100 it is the ideal choice to help someone embrace their inner Anglophile, a quintessentially British coin adorned with a true national icon, beautifully presented with a fascinating history of the sound that defines the nation’s clock. Or, as a proud citizen, keep it at the heart of your collection – you will be able to add new editions as they are released and watch your set grow over time. Our face value, legal tender editions are hugely popular and this one – a prestigious, legal tender £100 coin for which you will pay exactly £100 – will be no exception…
…In this magnificent portrait by Royal Mint engravers Glyn Davies and Laura Clancy you’re transported to street level, gazing upwards from the ground at this architectural marvel with the wide-eyed thrill of a tourist jostling for a view. Looking at the tower from this perspective you strip away the familiarity: there’s a freshness, a new found sense of wonder at this magnificent building and all that is represents. Surely even the most jaded Londoner couldn’t help but be impressed, and remember the very first time they saw this incredible sight.
To visitors, the Elizabeth Tower housing Big Ben is Britain. It’s the image they see time and time again, in films and on news bulletins, and its distinctive sound is part of the very fabric of British life. A battery of rousing chimes could heralds exciting news, begin a happy new year or simply mark the passage of time as each day ticks inevitably by, every reverberation echoing the heartbeat of the nation as we collectively check our watch before carrying on with the day.
SPECIFICATION | |
---|---|
DENOMINATION | £100 |
COMPOSITION | 0.999 SILVER |
WEIGHT | 62.86 g |
SIZE | 40.0 mm |
FINISH | BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED |
MINTAGE | 50,000 |
BOX / COA | CARD / CARD(?) |
Very tempting only as “the UK’s first £100 coin available at face value”. But I think that’s really all it has going for it.
The usual wordy spiel from RM, at the very least, again provides some eye-rolling entertainment value.
“you’re transported to street level, gazing upwards from the ground at this architectural marvel with the wide-eyed thrill of a tourist jostling for a view”
Biggest let-down for me is the tiny diameter for a two-ounce coin. Either make it ultra high relief, or 50-55mm diameter. Thicker is unimportant for a numismatic.
I love the thicker coin. The more weight the more face value, that is a right thing.
Yup. A wasted opportunity with that pointless coin thickness.