Shop
Britain through the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: Part 2
The Land of Hope and Glory Collection tells the story of Britain through the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee fast approaches, this blog series will revisit the historic moments during Her Majesty’s record-breaking reign that have helped define Great Britain. This week, let’s journey back to 1960s football, fashion and more.
Did you know that instant potato, the mash you buy pre-made at the supermarket, wasn’t a shop bought item until 1968? Angel Delight made its debut in 1967 and spreadable margarine wasn’t a thing before 1969!
Many do reminisce on the 60s as the time to be alive.
Swinging Sixties Fashion
In the early 60s, the emergence of supermodels like Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton redefined beauty and became true fashion icons. The latest clothing styles could be found in London Boutique shops. And whilst children began to practice with makeup on their dolls, teenagers discovered false eyelashes.
Inspiration came from the likes of the mods on scooters, skinheads, and hippies with their long flowing hairstyles.
Mary Quant, the queen of the miniskirt, had a boutique on Carnaby Street in London called Bazaar. She also released her own line of cosmetics in 1966. Many began to embrace their natural curves — new trends such as wearing trouser suits and miniskirts emerged.
England wins the FIFA World Cup
The TV audience in 1966 had to follow along the England match against Germany in black and white. However, for the first time they could see slow motion replays from the live match.
Multiple towns in England hosted games for the tournament, but the final was played at Wembley Stadium on the 30th July 1966.
Although the match didn’t get off to a good start and there were a few hiccups throughout, the team managed to bring home the first World Cup title for England.
Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Prince Philip were amongst the 93,000 spectators. The Queen then presented the trophy for the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
The shot by Geoff Hurst, which hit the crossbar and landed down near the goal line, was decided by the referee as a goal — which was highly contested at the time.
Years later, technology had advanced, and the ball was never over the line.
Beatlemania
The Beatles.
Need we say more?
Comprised of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, The Beatles were managed by Brian Epstein and signed by EMI on the Parlophone Label.
Did you know that they were originally turned down by Decca, the British record label?
Changing the pop music scene forever, Please Please Me was released January 12th 1963, and was an instant favourite among the public. They remained number 1 on the charts for 6 months with their first album, which was recorded in an entire 13-hour session.
First Flight of the Concorde
Concorde was the first successful civilian aeroplane to travel faster than the speed of sound.
Built jointly between Great Britain and France, it reduced the flight time between London and New York to roughly three hours.
Eventually flown worldwide, she first took to the skies on March 2nd 1969.
Sadly, in the end it was found the aeroplane had several problems such as noise and high expenses. However, it did unify the work of different countries, ensuring that Europe paved the way for aerospace development.
The Great Train Robbery
15 men and £2,600,000. What a heist that is.
Aided by two accomplices, these fifteen men managed to stop the Glasgow–London Royal Mail Train, steal over two and a half million pounds from the front two carriages, and transport the lot with their Land Rovers to a nearby hideaway, all without the staff in the remaining ten carriages even knowing a thing.
August 8th, 1963. The day they got lucky.
It was a bank holiday so the amount they stole was much larger than they had anticipated getting.
At their hideaway they noticed low flying RAF aircraft which they assumed were on the look-out for them. They in fact weren’t. But this spooked the robbers so much that they left and hired six thieves to burn the place down.
The poor job the thieves did left fingerprint marks on a Monopoly board and a ketchup bottle.
If you’re interested…
The Land of Hope and Glory Collection celebrates Britain through the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. And today, you can start the Collection of a Lifetime. Click here to secure the first Medal, featuring the Queen’s Coronation for FREE >>
If you haven’t read the first blog in the series, click here >>
Everything you need to know about the 2022 Annual Coins…
**INCLUDES TWO PLATINUM JUBILEE COMMEMORATIVES**
Each year, The Royal Mint marks important British anniversaries, events or accomplishments on our coins and today I’m delighted to reveal the UK’s new coin designs for 2022.
This year’s collection includes TWO special tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as she marks her Platinum Jubilee in 2022 – including the UK’s FIRST EVER Royal 50p.
Watch our latest video below to find out everything you need to know…
There are 5 new commemorative coins, paired alongside the eight definitive coins from the 1p to the £2, all newly dated for 2022.
The commemorative coins are:
- Platinum Jubilee 50p – the UK’s first ever Royal 50p!
- Commonwealth Games 50p – issued to commemorate the 22nd Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this year
- Alexander Graham Bell £2 – issued to mark 100 years since the passing of Scottish-born inventor, scientist, and engineer who invented the first telephone
- Dame Vera Lynn £2 – issued to commemorate the iconic wartime singer, famed for boosting morale and supporting British troops during the Second World War
- Platinum Jubilee £5 – issued to commemorate 70 years of Her Majesty the Queen’s reign
What’s more, you have the opportunity today to secure them in a variety of different presentations or specifications – there’s sure to be something for everyone…
UK 2022 Annual Coin Set BU Pack
To give as many collectors as possible the chance to own these highly sought-after coins, The Royal Mint has issued them in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, which is coveted by collectors as it means each coin is free from any marks you would find on circulated coins.
In this BU Pack you’ll find the five brand new commemorative coins alongside the eight definitive coins from the 1p to the £2, all newly dated for 2022.
Each one is protectively encapsulated in its attractive original packaging from The Royal Mint to preserve its quality for generations to come.
What’s more, you can secure this BU Pack for The Royal Mint’s official issue price of just £60 (+p&p). Click here to find out more >>
This set of coins is also available as a Change Checker CERTIFIED BU Commemorative Coin Set for £40 (+p&p). Click here to find out more >>
UK 2022 Annual Collector Proof Coin Set
Whilst being struck from base metal, the coins in this set have been struck to a stunning superior Proof finish.
Including all 5 commemorative coins alongside the new definitive coins for 2022, these sets are always extremely sought after.
You can order the UK 2022 Annual Collector Proof Coin Set here with a down payment of just £15.50 (+p&p) followed by 9 further interest-free instalments – that’s the Royal Mint issue price. Click here to find out more >>
UK 2022 DateStamp™ Specimen Set
The most limited way to own the five new 2022 commemorative coins is by securing the UK 2022 DateStamp™ Specimen Set. In fact, JUST 995 collectors worldwide can own this unique set.
What truly sets the 2022 Specimen Year Set apart from all other 2022 Annual Sets is the fact that it is forever set in time by the official Royal Mail postmark that marks the coins’ first day of release – 4th January 2022.
Each coin is struck to the highly desirable Brilliant Uncirculated quality, and come individually presented in tamper-proof capsules. What’s more, each set has a unique serial number, confirming its place in the tiny edition limit, and you can even register your set online to guarantee its provenance!
This DateStamp set has a track record of completely selling out within a matter of days, so if you want to secure a set for yourself you’ll need to be quick. You can reserve yours with a deposit of just £22. Click here to find out more >>
EXCLUSIVE DESIGN REVEAL: THE UK’s FIRST ROYAL 50P
In just 70 days the Queen will be celebrating her Platinum Jubilee. Her Majesty the Queen has confirmed that it will be celebrated with the nation’s FIRST EVER Royal 50p coin.
The design has been revealed today, and it certainly is something to look forward to
The new design features the all-important number ‘70’, representing the 70 years that the Queen has been our Sovereign.
The Royal Proclamation has confirmed that the nation’s FIRST Royal 50p will be issued in a range of specifications (including Platinum, Gold, Silver and of course Cupro-nickel).
We’re really hoping that we’ll see these 50p coins in circulation, and we’re expecting serious collector demand rivalling that seen in 1977 and 2002.
And that’s not all!
Intriguing alternative Queen’s head design
It has also been confirmed there will be an exciting alternative Queen’s Head design.
For now, that design still remains TOP SECRET, but we do know that it’s going to portray Her Majesty on horseback, in what appears to be a nod to her original 1953 Coronation Crown
Sign up for PRIORITY ACCESS
As we mentioned, we’re expecting serious collector demand as Britain’s most popular coin will be used to commemorate this once in a lifetime moment.
The first UK coin released to mark the Platinum Jubilee (The UK 2022 Sovereign) SOLD OUT in UNDER A DAY. We’re expecting the next Royal release to go the same way.