Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 20 Pounds 2016, KM# 1403, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Christmas, Nativity
  • 20 Pounds 2016, KM# 1403, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Christmas, Nativity
Description

In 2016 the Royal Mint produced the United Kingdom’s first official Christmas coin.

Christmas is a special time of year and the Royal Mint has joined in the festivities by striking the UK’s first official Christmas coin. This £20 fine silver coin builds on centuries of good luck customs involving coins, with a design inspired by 2,000 years of storytelling. The Christmas coin from The Royal Mint comes in a specially designed booklet with space to note down favourite moments of 2016 and wishes for the coming year. The coin is finished to Brilliant Uncirculated standard and is approved by the Palace.

The British twenty pound (£20) coin is a commemorative coin, first issued by the Royal Mint in 2013. It comes in the original mint packaging with illustrations. Twenty pound coins are legal tender but are intended as souvenirs and are almost never seen in circulation.

Obverse

The fifth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem and drop earrings.

The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewelry has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

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

Engraver: Jody Clark

ELIZABETH II ⠂D ⠂G ⠂REG ⠂F ⠂D ⠂20 POUNDS⠂
J.C

Reverse

Depicts the Magi bringing gifts to Mary and the baby Jesus. To the right of the scene are inscriptions THE NATIVITY and CHIRSTMAS 2016. To the left in smaller font is GKC for the bishop’s initials.

The biblical Magi, also referred to as the (Three) Wise Men or (Three) Kings, were, in the Gospel of Matthew and Christian tradition, a group of distinguished foreigners who visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are regular figures in traditional accounts of the nativity celebrations of Christmas and are an important part of Christian tradition.

The wise men are mentioned twice shortly thereafter in verse 16, in reference to their avoidance of Herod after seeing Jesus, and what Herod had learned from their earlier meeting. The star which they followed has traditionally become known as the Star of Bethlehem.

Engraver: Gregory Cameron, a Bishop of the Anglican Church in North East Wales

THE NATIVITY⠨ CHRISTMAS 2016
GKC

Edge

20 Pounds

5th portrait
KM# 1403 Sp# NE7
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.999
Weight 15.71 g
Diameter 27 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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