United Kingdom (Great Britain) Elizabeth II 5 Pounds

History

5 Pounds 2013, KM# 1242a, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 60th Anniversary of Coronation of Elizabeth II

Obverse. Photo © APMEX

Description

The Royal Mint have launched crown coin which marks the auspicious anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, which took place on the 2nd June 1953, sixteen months after her accession to the British throne. For the first time in history, the solemn event was televised to millions of homes around the world and ushering in the age of modern communications which the Queen’s reign has been a part of since that day. The Queen’s new coins which included her portrait also made their debut in the same year with a five shilling crown depicting the new monarch on horseback which was also struck for the occasion.

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 1926–2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and of 14 other Commonwealth realms. Her reign, which began on February 6, 1952, lasted for 70 years and seven months, making it the longest of any British monarch in history. At the age of 25, she became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries after her father's death in February 1952. These countries were the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and she also served as Head of the Commonwealth.

Throughout her reign, Elizabeth acted as a constitutional monarch and oversaw significant political changes, such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the decolonization of Africa, and the United Kingdom's accession to and withdrawal from the European Communities. The number of her realms changed over time as territories gained independence and some became republics.

Elizabeth experienced many personal milestones during her reign, including the births and marriages of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was crowned in 1953, and her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum jubilees were celebrated in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively.

Obverse	British royal family Coronation Crown, jewelry Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Elizabeth II 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·2013 IRB
Reverse	Crown, jewelry Imperial State Crown The Imperial State Crown is one of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom and symbolises the sovereignty of the monarch. It has existed in various forms since the 15th century. The current version was made in 1937 and is worn by the monarch after a coronation ceremony (St Edward's Crown having been used to crown the monarch) and during his or her speech at the annual State Opening of Parliament. It contains 2,901 precious stones. The cross at the top is set with a stone known as St. Edward’s Sapphire, a sapphire taken from the ring of Edward the Confessor. The Black Prince’s Ruby which is actually a spinel is set on the front cross pattée and the famous Cullinan II (the second-largest clear cut diamond in the world), or Lesser Star of Africa, is set on the front. The crown also contains Queen Elizabeth I’s Pearls. The Crown is 31.5 centimeters (12.4 inches) tall and weighs 910 grams (2.0 lb) When not in use, it is kept with the other Crown Jewels on display in the Tower of London. Engraver: Emma Noble TO REIGN AND SERVE A VOW MADE GOOD en.
Edge	Reeded (milled)