New Issues
Paying Tribute to the Extraordinary Life of Queen Elizabeth II with Three Silver Coins
This past year has been the most poignant moment for the British Monarchy in decades.
We celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, sadly said goodbye to our Longest Reigning Monarch, and witnessed the Coronation of King Charles III.
With royal issues across the world selling out, there has been insatiable demand for Queen Elizabeth II commemoratives in this significant year.
In fact, collectors across the Commonwealth, past and present, have rushed to secure a piece of history as we experience the biggest change in our Monarchy in 70 years.
But now, you can secure the Silver coins from Royal Canadian Mint – paying tribute to Elizabeth II’s extraordinary life.
The Designs
To celebrate the most remarkable milestones of Queen Elizabeth II’s life, The Royal Canadian Mint have issued three stunning Silver Proof coins – in one complete collection!
Expertly struck from 1oz of 99.99% ultra-fine silver to a flawless proof finish, each coin has been thoughtfully inspired by three famous photographs from Queen Elizabeth II’s extraordinary life.
The first coin depicts Elizabeth II as a child in the arms of her father King George.
Not only is King George VI and his daughter a rare sighting for reverse designs, but a young Elizabeth II is also an exceptional feature for coinage.
Equally as unique, the second coin portrays Elizabeth II in military uniform during her time in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service.
Finally, the third and arguably most recognisable depiction of our Longest Reigning Monarch is inspired by a photograph from a Royal Visit in her later years.
Special Obverse
What’s more, all three Silver coins in this collection feature a special tribute obverse, combining all four Canadian effigies of Elizabeth II. Marked by a small Tudor rose, this unique obverse design honours Elizabeth II’s coinage since her coronation in 1953.
This tribute obverse is unique to this range of coins, and integrates the designs of previous obverse designers: Susanna Blunt, Dora de Pédery-Hunt, Arnold Machin, and Mary Gillick.
But, just 7,500 collectors worldwide will be able to own such a sought-after collection.
RELEASED TODAY: OFFICIAL UK STAR WARS™ 50ps
The first UK Star WarsTM coin collection has been released today to celebrate 40 years since the release of Return of the Jedi in 1983.
The Star Wars franchise is a worldwide phenomenon, and despite being the brainchild of American movie maker, George Lucas, the Star Wars franchise has many links to British Heritage and the United Kingdom.
The coins have been specially produced in partnership with The Royal Mint, Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm to create something extremely special for Star Wars’ fans and coin collectors alike.
The first design features none other than R2-D2TM and C-3POTM, with both characters inside the Millennium Falcon, the famous starship that has played a role in some of the greatest victories of the Rebel Alliance and the New Republic.
R2-D2TM and C-3POTM are the first to feature on the four-coin collection, with the other coins in the series also including other iconic duos including, Darth VaderTM and Emperor PalpetineTM, Luke SkywalkerTM and Princess LeiaTM, and Han SoloTM and ChewbaccaTM all with stunning designs that capture the true essence of the films.
Each coin is available in superior Brilliant Uncirculated Quality, or strictly limited Silver Proof Quality.
But it is the Silver coin that is especially unique, featuring the addition of vivid colour. This is a process that allows George Lucas’ iconic duos to be faithfully reproduced as accurately as possible.
What’s more, the silver coin has been limited to just 12,500 worldwide. When you consider the number of coin collectors who will want this 50p coin, alongside the number of Star Wars fans that will too, demand will likely exceed availability.
Finally, each of the coins in the series also has an intricate detail you may have missed – a lenticular feature. When the coin is tilted, two intricate symbols are revealed for Tatooine and the Rebel Alliance Starbird. Not only does this enhance the design, but it is also a favourite amongst coin collectors.
Whether you choose the Brilliant Uncirculated coins, or the Silver Proof version, rest assured all coins have been beautifully packaged as the perfect piece of memorabilia.
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By opting into the Westminster Collection Star Wars Priority Lists, you can automatically receive the next coins in the series without the hassle!
The day I carried coins on board an Original WWII Lancaster
On 14th June, Ben, our Concept Development Manager, had the opportunity to see the famous RAF Avro Lancaster up close and personal.
Here’s what Ben has to say about his experience retracing the steps of the legendary Dambusters and having the brand new £5 coins carried on board an original WWII Lancaster Bomber…
To mark the 80th anniversary of Operation Chastise – the legendary Dambusters Raid, I wanted to capture some of that history and somehow apply it to some of the superb coins issued for the anniversary.
Following is my story of how our one day in Lincolnshire panned out. A story that makes each of these coins – in my opinion – uniquely collectable. Here’s how it went…
I have come to rural Lincolnshire to a private museum and airstrip at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre in East Kirkby, to take some of the Dambusters 80th Anniversary Coins on a ride of a lifetime.
But before that happened, it was an overnighter in a remarkable hotel, few know about. This part of the English countryside is awash with airfields, aircraft museums and RAF bases.
It was central to RAF and Bomber Command’s missions and in 1944 the skies would have been buzzing with Spitfires, Hurricanes and of course, Lancaster Bombers. And that’s why the hotel I stayed in has some fascinating Dambusters links.
The Petwood Hotel was where Wing Commander Guy Gibson and the hand picked 617 Squadron had billeted during the war.
The squadron bar is now a museum shrine to the history of the squadron featuring artwork, photos and cabinets full of authentic 617 memorabilia. This is the exact room where Guy Gibson would have had a pint with his colleagues, as they discussed their missions past and present.
There is even a genuine prototype Bouncing Bomb in the garden…
It’s a remarkable feeling to know you’re sat at the very bar they did.
After an evening at the bar, it was up bright and early to head to the Lancaster Aviation Heritage Centre. And it was here as I drove through the gates, I got my first glimpse of ‘Just Jane’, one of only FOUR operational Lancaster bombers in the entire world.
Technically known as Avro Lancaster B. VII NX611, she was one of 150 Lancasters built in early 1945 for operations in the Far East.
She’s had a varied history. In the 1970s she stood as the Gate Guardian at RAF Scampton (home of Vulcan bombers and more recently, The Red Arrows) before being sold privately and moved to her current home in 1987. She is now a fantastic piece of aviation history, and the ongoing restoration program means hopefully soon we will see her take to the skies once more.
It was a beautiful sunny day, as I arrived at the airfield early in the morning to get the coins onboard. She was still in her hangar alongside the De Havilland Mosquito and a B25 Mitchell.
Before the Lanc was fired up – the main part of our mission started. We were given permission to board and get the coins securely stashed. This in itself was a privilege, reserved usually for visitors who book the tour and the ride, something that gets booked up a year in advance.
Despite its size, there is not a lot of room inside a Lancaster for boxes of coins!
There’s barely room for people, and only once you are inside do you contemplate how it must have felt when heading on a bombing mission. It’s dark, cramped, and once you are in position, there’s no moving. With the engines running I imagine it is exceptionally loud.
The coins were loaded in with help from the crew who work at the LAHC, and I had a short amount of time to photograph them inside the plane before she was moved outside and prepared for the day’s events.
Then the magic happened.
As the four huge Merlin engines spluttered into life, a deafening roar bellowed across the tarmac, debris flew across the airfield as the wind seemed to pick up as we stood in awe. Lancaster Bomber NX611 made her way along the tarmac and onto the grass airstrip, where the engines kicked up a few notches.
It really is a sight to behold. And there we had it, coins travelling on board a piece of aviation history in the anniversary year of the Lancaster’s most famous moment – adding to their own provenance forever.
As the Lanc returned, the coins having been onboard a few hours, I had a five-minute window between runs to get onboard, remove the coins and stack them up on the airfield.
She had another group of guests to take for a ride. She wasn’t going to wait for us, and I wasn’t going to get in her way. It was a day I shall never forget. And thankfully, these coins now act as a lasting reminder of this epic and historic occasion.
If you’re interested…
Click here to secure your Lancaster NX611 CARRIED Dambusters £5 for JUST £25 (+p&p) >>