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Portraits of a Queen: Celebrating Queen Elizabeth II with the 2026 Mary Gillick £5 Coin
In 2026, the United Kingdom will honour 100 years since the birth of Queen Elizabeth II. Across her record-breaking reign of seven decades, Her Late Majesty became one of the most enduring and celebrated monarchs in British history.
Now, The Royal Mint has unveiled the Portraits of a Queen Collection, a landmark series of £5 coins that revisit the five definitive effigies of Queen Elizabeth II that appeared on UK coinage throughout her reign.
The Mary Gillick Portrait – A Symbol of a New Era
The collection begins with the Mary Gillick portrait, designed in 1952 after the Queen’s accession. First seen on coins in 1953, this youthful depiction showed the new monarch wearing a laurel wreath, reflecting optimism and renewal at the dawn of a new Elizabethan era.
For this release, the portrait has been expertly remastered by Gordon Summers, Chief Engraver at The Royal Mint. His work ensures that the elegance and historical significance of Gillick’s design is preserved for collectors today.
Editions for Collectors
Whether you are a dedicated numismatist or a Royal enthusiast, the 2026 Mary Gillick £5 coin offers editions to suit every type of collection:
Silver Piedfort Proof £5
- Struck in Sterling Silver to Proof standard
- Double the weight and thickness of the standard Silver Proof coin
- Extremely limited – just 1,500 issued worldwide
- Obverse features the official coinage portrait of King Charles III, symbolically uniting mother and son
Brilliant Uncirculated £5 Coin Pack
- Struck to Brilliant Uncirculated standard, superior to circulating coinage
- Presented in official Royal Mint packaging
- Accessible price point at £17.50 (+p&p), ideal for collectors beginning their journey
Gold Proof Editions
- Premium Proof coins available in gold and silver
- Accompanied by bespoke presentation packaging exploring the Mary Gillick portrait
The gold proof edition is incredibly rare, and we are lucky enough to acquire it for our collectors. In fact, you won’t even find it on The Royal Mint’s website.
Why This Collection Matters
The Portraits of a Queen Collection is more than just a coin series — it’s a tribute to the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II. Over seven decades, five portraits told the story of her reign, marking her journey from youthful queen to Britain’s longest-serving monarch.
Key features of the series include:
- The first release in a five-coin collection honouring Queen Elizabeth II’s official portraits
- Coins remastered by Gordon Summers for modern collectors
- Availability in multiple editions for different collecting preferences
- Official Royal Mint packaging and informative booklets included
The 2026 Mary Gillick £5 coin offers collectors a unique opportunity to begin this historic collection with a design that symbolises the very start of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. From the accessible Brilliant Uncirculated edition to the highly exclusive Silver Piedfort Proof, this release represents a piece of history to cherish for generations.
For coin collectors, Royal Mint enthusiasts, and admirers of the Queen’s legacy, this is the perfect way to celebrate Her Majesty’s centenary and secure the first chapter in the Portraits of a Queen Collection.
The Chinese Lunar Year £5 Coin Series – The Shēngxiào Collection
Like so many ancient traditions, the origin stories of the Chinese Zodiac vary. Some say that the Buddha called on animals to help mankind and only twelve responded. Others say a Great Race was held to determine which animal would be placed in the zodiac for eternity.
The Royal Mint are celebrating each animal on the Zodiac calendar with their Lunar Year Shēngxiào Collection £5 series – a collection that has become a cornerstone for UK coin collectors.
✨ Latest Release: 2026 – Year of the Horse £5
The Year of the Horse is here! On 17 February 2026, celebrations will begin across the world to welcome the Lunar New Year. Families will gather for feasts, fireworks will light the skies, and children will receive traditional red envelopes filled with lucky money.
To celebrate this the Royal Mint have just released the very first 2026-dated coins in a brand new range. The new release features the Horse, a powerful and spirited symbol in the Chinese Zodiac. Associated with strength, vitality, and independence, those born under this sign are known for their courage, optimism, and quick wit. With their energetic and pioneering spirit, they are natural trailblazers.
The 2026 UK Year of the Horse £5 coin is a stunning addition to the Shēngxiào Collection.
- Design: Artist William Webb has captured an athletic thoroughbred, standing proudly against the cobblestones of an early eighteenth-century stable block. The composition perfectly blends Chinese cultural symbolism with British heritage.
- Key Features:
- Part of The Royal Mint’s ongoing Shēngxiào Collection
- Features original artwork designed especially for the reverse
👉 Click here to secure your 2026 Lunar Year of the Horse £5 Coin today >>
Previous Lunar Year Coins
2025 – Year of the Snake £5
The 2025 release of the series celebrated the wisest of the zodiac animals, the Snake, a symbol of intelligence, adaptability, and determination.
Designer Chris Costello depicted the Snake gliding gracefully through grass, its intricately engraved scales catching the light, blending elegance with mystique.
2024 – Year of the Dragon £5
No longer available at The Mint
The Year of the Dragon coin was the first to feature King Charles III on the obverse. The Dragon, China’s most iconic cultural symbol, represents confidence, courage, and intelligence.
Designer William Webb crafted an intricate design that brought the Dragon’s flowing form and power to life.
2023 – Year of the Rabbit £5
No longer available at The Mint
The Rabbit, the luckiest of the zodiac animals, symbolises gentleness, compassion, and kindness.
Designer Louie Maryon portrayed the Rabbit poised elegantly, accompanied by the Chinese character for Rabbit and the year ‘2023’.
2022 – Year of the Tiger £5
No longer available at The Mint
The Tiger is known as the “King of the Beasts”, representing bravery, adventure, and confidence.
Designer David Lawrence depicted the Tiger in a proud, powerful stance, with the Chinese character for Tiger alongside it.
2021 – Year of the Ox £5
No longer available at The Mint
The Ox symbolises strength, patience, and perseverance.
Designer Harry Brockway set the Ox in a rural countryside scene, highlighting its muscular power and calm presence.
2020 – Year of the Rat £5
No longer available at The Mint
The first coin in the Shēngxiào Collection to be struck in Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
Associated with resourcefulness and agility, the Rat was depicted by designer P.J. Lynch sniffing the air in an alert, inquisitive pose.
The Chinese Zodiac – What Animal Are You?
There are twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac, each with its own symbolic meaning:
- Rat: quick-witted, smart, persuasive
- Ox: patient, kind, trustworthy
- Tiger: courageous, adventurous, brave
- Rabbit: gentle, compassionate, lucky
- Dragon: powerful, fearless, charismatic
- Snake: wise, intelligent, adaptable
- Horse: independent, energetic, pioneering
- Sheep: shy, kind, peace-loving
- Monkey: fun, active, energetic
- Rooster: hardworking, practical, observant
- Dog: loyal, generous, diligent
- Pig: tolerant, loving, appreciative of luxury
Which animal are you? Do you match the traits of your zodiac sign? Let us know in the comments below!
A Collection That Grows Each Year
The UK Lunar Year £5 Series is an ongoing celebration of culture, tradition, and artistry. Each year, The Royal Mint unveils a new addition to the Shēngxiào Collection, ensuring collectors can look forward to a fresh design and story that ties into the rich symbolism of the Chinese Zodiac.
Introducing the Lion of England 2oz Silver Filigree Coin
Some coins tell a story. This one rewrites the book.
Read on to discover how this Lion of England coin blends centuries-old craftsmanship with modern minting innovation – a masterpiece that elevates numismatics to fine artistry.
Chapter 1 – A Masterclass in Filigree Art
Struck from two ounces of the finest pure silver, this brand new Tudor Beasts Lion of England Coin is far more than a coin, it is art in its purest form.
The centrepiece is a breathtaking display of hand-twisted filigree, an ornamental craft that dates back hundreds of years and is seldom seen in modern minting. Each delicate strand has been meticulously shaped to create an openwork design that gives the coin both depth and elegance.
With its intricate detailing, 24-carat gold accents, and regal symbolism, this coin transforms traditional numismatics into a showcase of world-class artistry.
Limited to just 250 pieces worldwide, it embodies scarcity and excellence, offering collectors a true fusion of history, innovation, and beauty.
Chapter 2 – Regal symbolism meets modern technique
At the heart of this masterpiece stands the Lion of England, one of the most enduring emblems of British strength, courage, and national pride. Crowned and commanding, the lion has long represented power and protection—qualities that resonate just as strongly today as they did throughout centuries of royal heraldry.
What sets this coin apart, however, is how that symbolism has been reimagined through a cutting-edge filigree process. The lion rises above a finely worked silver lattice, framing a 24-carat gold-plated shield with unmatched precision. The interplay of traditional heraldic imagery and innovative minting technique creates a piece that feels both timeless and contemporary.
Chapter 3 – A collector’s dream
A collector’s dream coin is often defined by its rarity, and this 2oz Silver Filigree Lion of England coin is no exception. With just 250 pieces available for the UK market, each coin carries with it the weight of scarcity—making it as much an investment in exclusivity as it is in artistry.
But while prestige often comes with barriers, this coin has been made accessible to collectors of all levels. Available at £345 (+£4.99 P&P), it can also be secured through the interest-free EasyPay instalment plan. With payments of just £34.50 over ten months (subject to status), owning a piece of minting history has never been more achievable.
For those who value both beauty and rarity, this is more than a purchase—it is an opportunity to claim a place among a very limited circle of collectors.
More Than a Coin—it’s a Statement
Every coin has a story, but few carry the weight of artistry, heritage, and rarity in quite the same way.
The coin doesn’t just commemorate tradition—it reimagines it. A rare blend of artistry, heritage, and accessibility, it’s a piece that commands attention and pride.
In conclusion, this is more than a coin. It’s a piece of history, a symbol of pride, and a showcase of artistry—designed to take its place at the very heart of your collection.