Obverse. Photo © Numista
  • 5 Pounds 2008, KM# 1104, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 450th Anniversary of the Accession of Queen Elizabeth I
  • 5 Pounds 2008, KM# 1104, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 450th Anniversary of the Accession of Queen Elizabeth I
Description

Elizabeth I (1533–1603) was Queen of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana or Good Queen Bess, the childless Elizabeth was the last monarch of the House of Tudor.

Elizabeth's reign is known as the Elizabethan era. The period is famous for the flourishing of English drama, led by playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, and for the seafaring prowess of English adventurers such as Francis Drake. After the short reigns of Elizabeth's half-siblings, her 44 years on the throne provided welcome stability for the kingdom and helped forge a sense of national identity.

Obverse

Fourth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara.

The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara was a wedding present in 1947 from her grandmother, Queen Mary, who received it as a gift from the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland in 1893 on the occasion of her marriage to the Duke of York, later George V. Made by E. Wolfe & Co., it was purchased from Garrard & Co. by a committee organised by Lady Eve Greville. In 1914, Mary adapted the tiara to take 13 diamonds in place of the large oriental pearls surmounting the tiara. At first, Elizabeth wore the tiara without its base and pearls but the base was reattached in 1969. The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara is one of Elizabeth's most recognisable pieces of jewellery due to its widespread use on British banknotes and coinage.

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX means Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: Ian Rank-Broadley

ELIZABETH·II D·G REG·F·D
FIVE POUNDS
IRB

Reverse

A portrait of Queen Elizabeth I crowned and set within a mandorla. A rose has been placed at each connecting point while the two side arches each contain a leaf pattern reminiscent of the carvings made by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. The year of her accession and the year of the anniversary are both shown in Roman numerals.

Engraver: Rod Kelly

ELIZABETH REGINA
MDLVIII MMVIII

Edge

A phrase from the Golden Speech that was delivered by Queen Elizabeth I of England to 141 Members of the Commons, on 30 November 1601. The Golden Speech has been taken to mark a symbolic end of Elizabeth's reign.

I HAVE REIGNED WITH YOUR LOVES

Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 28.28 g
Diameter 38.61 mm
Thickness 2.89 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

Related coins

4th portrait, Silver Proof

450th Anniversary of the Accession of Queen Elizabeth I

Silver, 28.28 g, ⌀ 38.61 mm