Posts Tagged ‘collectable’
Top 5 Jubilee Weekend MUST-SEE Moments
In celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year, we’re taking part in a truly historic moment.
And with so many festivities going on, I’ve put together a countdown of the TOP 5 weird and wonderful must-see moments this Platinum Jubilee weekend.
Now, you may have already tried your hand at recreating the Fortnum and Mason Official Platinum Jubilee pudding — a Lemon Swiss Roll and Amaretti Trifle, chosen by Dame Mary Berry herself!
Or perhaps you’ve heard about the 3 second sell-out of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Barbie Doll?
Well, it doesn’t stop there. Up and down the country, formal and informal celebrations will be taking place. Here’s a countdown of my top 5 must-see moments:
5. Trooping the Colour, Thursday 2nd June
In just over a week’s time, more than 850 soldiers, 200 horses and 300 musicians will come together for the traditional parade to mark The Queen’s Official Birthday. This will be the first time since 2019 that the occasion of pageantry, fanfares and drumbeats can go ahead in its full splendour.
The colour being trooped this year is that of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, with soldiers making their way from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade.
4. The Epsom Derby, Friday 3rd – Saturday 4th June
Continuing her lifelong relationship with the world’s greatest flat race, The Epsom Derby, this year the Queen has entered three of her horses in the derby as she attempts to win the prestigious horse race for the first time.
With a touch of carnival, this one’s for everyone — from racing royalty to racing rookies.
3. The United Kingdom and Commonwealth Illuminated, Thursday 2nd June
On the evening of 2nd June, the United Kingdom and Commonwealth will be illuminated by a blaze of light when more than 1,500 beacons are ignited in towns, villages and cities throughout Britain, the British Isles and the UK’s overseas territories, as well as the capital cities of Commonwealth countries.
This tradition dates back hundreds of years, celebrating royal weddings, jubilees, and coronations and has since become a symbol of unity across borders.
2. Platinum Party at the Palace, Saturday 4th June
This promises to be an occasion to remember, playing a central part in a weekend of pomp and parties.
A star-studded line-up of artists, bands, and entertainers from across music, film and theatre are set to give you the show of a lifetime.
The event will take place at Buckingham Palace and be broadcast live on the BBC.
1. The Big Jubilee Lunch, Thursday 2nd – Sunday 5th June
Inspiring community spirit across the nation, the initiative offers the opportunity to share food, friendship, and frivolity with neighbours.
Thousands of people have signed up to host a lunch with street parties expected to match those which broke out spontaneously at the end of the Second World War.
And while you’re stocking up on supplies for your very own Big Jubilee Lunch, you may spot some subtle Platinum Jubilee tributes from our supermarket staples like Heinz’s Salad Queen (Salad Cream) and HM Sauce (HP Sauce).
So, it’s fair to say there’s enough to keep us busy over what promises to be one historic weekend in Great Britain.
And don’t forget, there’s still time to claim your FREE Platinum Jubilee Commemorative Souvenir.
With this Introductory Offer you’ll only pay £2.99 postage. It’s the perfect tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, 70 years our Queen.
The world’s longest reigning living monarch — celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday
Marking her Platinum Jubilee in 2022, today she also celebrates her 96th birthday.
Her Majesty ascended to the throne on 6th February 1952 and has since reigned as a constitutional monarch through years of significant change. She sees public and voluntary service as one of the most important elements of her work, having links with over 600 charities, military associations, professional bodies and public service organisations.
During her lifetime many coins have been issued in celebration of her birthday, of which she has two — her actual birthday on 21st April and her official birthday on (usually) the second Saturday in June.
Let’s take a look at some of the different coins released over the years in celebration of Her Majesty’s birthdays below.
2021 UK Queen Elizabeth II 95th Birthday BU £5
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 95th birthday in 2021. This major event, making her the first ever ruling monarch in British history to reach this milestone, was commemorated on a UK £5 coin.
The extraordinary 95th anniversary year is highlighted on this detailed £5 coin, designed by heraldic artist Timothy Noad. It features the date of the Queen’s birth and the year 2021 visible on the reverse. The Royal Cypher takes centre stage, with the quote “MY HEART AND MY DEVOTION” surrounding it along the edge. Ninety-five mills are found on this coin’s ‘waved’ milled edge, celebrating one for each year of the Queen’s life.
Traditionally, UK £5 coins are reserved for the most important Royal and Historical anniversaries, and there are few Royal events which are as important as Her Majesty’s birthday.
QEII 95th Birthday BU 50p
In 2021, 10,000 of these 95th Birthday 50ps were released into circulation on the Isle of Man. Fully approved by Buckingham Palace, this design features specially commissioned artwork by sculptor Luigi Badia.
Badia has impressively created over twenty-five portraits of the Queen and this QEII 95th Birthday Brilliant Uncirculated 50p features a recently designed portrait of Her Majesty. His process of sketching a new portrait of the Queen starts with collecting lots of reliable references, combining them to make a unique portrait.
When Badia sketches a portrait to feature specifically on a coin, he usually chooses a profile portrait for a more traditional design. He uses the sketch just as a guide for then producing the plaster model, which he crafts himself over a few weeks to ensure the final coins depict his version exactly.
British Isles 50p coins like this rarely turn up in your change in the UK, making these 50p coins some of the most sought-after circulating coins around.
UK 2021 Queen Elizabeth II’s Official Birthday Silver
DateStamp™ Issue
This special DateStamp™ issue features JUST 500 hand-selected UK 2021 Royal Coat of Arms 1oz Silver Coins, protectively encapsulated and stamped with the official Royal Mail one-day-only postmark of 12th June 2021 – the official date of Her Majesty’s 95th birthday.
This 1oz coin is impeccably struck from 99.9% Pure Silver to The Royal Mint’s Bullion finish. The reverse design by Timothy Noad depicts the official Coat of Arms of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, with the historic design celebrating centuries of British Royal lineage — The Royal Arms is the official coat of Arms of the ruling monarch.
The UK Royal Coat of Arms 1oz Silver Coin has a maximum mintage of 100,000 coins but considering JUST 500 of these limited DateStamp™ issues were available upon initial release, it makes this particular presentation incredibly sought-after.
Visible within the reverse design are the national flowers for each country within the UK: the Tudor rose of England, the Leek for Wales, the Shamrock for Northern Ireland, and the Thistle for Scotland. Featuring on the obverse is Jody Clark’s definitive coinage portrait of Her Majesty the Queen.
2006 UK 80th Birthday £5 Coin
In 2006 a special £5 coin was released, which has since been announced as the fourth rarest £5 coin issued (as of the latest mintage update in 2013)! This £5 coin celebrates the Queen’s 80th birthday, with the dates 1926 and 2006 inscribed as Her Majesty was born in 1926.
This £5 coin is very popular with collectors, which is not surprising when you see its beautiful design. Three trumpets with trumpet banners display on the reverse, accompanied by the inscription “VIVAT REGINA”, the Latin phrase for ‘long live the Queen’. Danuta Solowiej-Wedderburn designed the reverse whilst the obverse features Ian Rank-Broadley’s (FRBS) portrait of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
One such event that took place for Her Majesty’s 80th birthday included an informal walkabout in which the Queen spent roughly forty-five minutes interacting with more than 20,000 well-wishers who lined the streets outside Windsor Castle. She was accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh and crowds waved Union flags, as well as carried colourful celebratory bouquets.
Did you know that due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Trooping the Colour ceremony which traditionally marks Her Majesty’s official birthday, could not follow its long-established format in 2021.
Coins that have an interesting back-story, such as these, can be particularly sought-after with collectors!
Explore our range of coins in celebration of the Queen’s previous birthday’s by clicking here >>
The game is afoot – BRAND NEW Royal Mail Sherlock stamps announced
Royal Mail have just announced the release of BRAND NEW Sherlock stamps, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the popular BBC TV Series.
The stamps will be officially released on 18th August 2020 and feature the most iconic and best-loved characters including Holmes, Watson, and Moriarty – whilst the exclusive ‘Mysteries of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’ Miniature Sheet features four of the author’s favourite Sherlock Holmes stories.
Here’s your guide to the most collectable versions of the new Sherlock stamps…
The UK 50p Coin Cover
This UK 50p Coin Cover perfectly combines the complete set of BRAND NEW Sherlock Stamps and Miniature Sheet with The Royal Mint’s UK Sherlock Holmes™ 50p Coin.
Significantly, JUST 1,000 Sherlock Holmes UK 50p Coin Covers are being released nationwide, making this one of the most limited ways to own these sought-after stamps and 50p coin.
The Framed Edition
The Framed Edition of the NEW Sherlock stamps features Royal Mail’s official Collector Sheet, and is one of just 2,995 that will ever be issued.
The Framed Edition includes all six new characters stamps, as well as ten EXCLUSIVE Philatelic Labels featuring iconic scenes from the show.
The Definitive Edition
What sets the Definitive Edition apart from all other issues, are the stamps. You see, this edition comprises EVERY official Royal Mail Sherlock stamp ever released, from the complete set of ten NEW Sherlock Stamps, to the extremely sought-after 1993 issue.
The Definitive Edition is strictly limited to JUST 495 and will come professionally mounted and framed, ready to display in your home or office.
The Ultimate Edition
What makes the Ultimate Edition ‘ultimate’ is the fact that is comprises BOTH official Royal Mail First Day Covers alongside the stamps’ official release notes – and has been professionally mounted and framed, ready for you display in your home or office.
A MUST-HAVE piece of memorabilia for any fan, the Ultimate Edition is strictly limited to JUST 495 sets worldwide…
If you’re interested…
You can own one of the special Sherlock Holmes Stamps Editions today, click here to view the full range.