Obverse. Photo © Igor Knyazev
  • 1 Crown 1979, KM# 47, Isle of Man, Elizabeth II, Millennium of Tynwald, English Cog and Castle Rushen
  • 1 Crown 1979, KM# 47, Isle of Man, Elizabeth II, Millennium of Tynwald, English Cog and Castle Rushen
Description

The Tynwald, or more formally, the High Court of Tynwald is the legislature of the Isle of Man. Tynwald claims to be over 1,000 years old, and thus the 'oldest continuous parliament' in the world. In 1979, the Manx people celebrated the millennium of their parliament, although there is no evidence that suggests such an assembly was held in 979, or that any such event resembled the modern day court.

Obverse

2nd portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right. Lettering around outside, date below.

Mint mark: PM (Pobjoy Mint).

Engraver: Arnold Machin.

ISLE OF MAN ELIZABETH II
PM
1979

Reverse

The 13th and 14th centuries are represented by an English ship of the early 14th Century. They were known as cogs and traded throughout the North Sea, Celtic Sea and the Baltic. In the background is Castle Rushen which came to prominence in the 13th and 14th centuries, when the Island was under Scottish and then English suzerainty.

Castle Rushen is a medieval castle located in the Isle of Man's historic capital, Castletown, in the south of the island. The castle is amongst the best examples of medieval castles on the British Isles,and is still in use as a court house, museum and educational centre.

A cog (or cog-built vessels) is a type of ship that first appeared in the 10th century, and was widely used from around the 12th century on. Cogs were generally built of oak, which was an abundant timber in the Baltic region of Prussia. This vessel was fitted with a single mast and a square-rigged single sail. They ranged from about 15 meters to 25 meters in length (49 ft to 82 ft) with a beam of 5 to 8 meters (16 ft to 26 ft), and the largest cog ships could carry up to about 200 tons.

Engraver: Leslie Lindsay.

MILLENNIUM OF TYNWALD
• ONE CROWN •

Edge

1 Crown

2nd portrait

Millennium of Tynwald
English Cog and Castle Rushen

Subscribe series
KM# 47
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 28.28 g
Diameter 38.61 mm
Thickness 3.17 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Pobjoy Mint (PM)

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