United Kingdom (Great Britain) Elizabeth II 5 Pounds

History

5 Pounds 2018, KM# 1583a, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 65th Anniversary of Coronation of Elizabeth II, Sapphire Coronation

5 Pounds 2018, KM# 1583a, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 65th Anniversary of Coronation of Elizabeth II, Sapphire Coronation, Royal Mint case accompanied by a booklet

Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint

Description

A royal year of celebration in 2018 continues with a very important anniversary. Having become our longest reigning monarch in 2015 and celebrating her 90th birthday in 2016, the remarkable reign of Her Majesty The Queen presents another historic milestone as the 65th anniversary of her coronation. Queen Elizabeth II is the first British monarch to reach such a milestone. Two designs and a limited edition range of coins have been created especially for the occasion, available in versions from a Brilliant Uncirculated £5 coin to a gold Proof kilo coin. Each coin is presented in a display folder, where you can read the story of the celebrations 65 years ago and find out more about the specially created design.

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 Diamond Diadem Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Elizabeth II 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·FID·DEF·5 POUNDS· J.C
Reverse	Coat of arms United Kingdom Tree, flower, plant etc. Olive, Oak Depicts the Royal Standard in the style of the Coat of Arms of Westminster flanked by an olive branch and an oak branch. The shield is crowned with the Queen's royal cypher. The Royal Standard is divided into four quadrants. The first and fourth quadrants represent the ancient Kingdom of England and contain three gold lions, (or "leopards"), passant guardant on a red field; the second quadrant represents the ancient Kingdom of Scotland and contains a red lion rampant on a gold field; the third quadrant represents the ancient Kingdom of Ireland and contains a version of the gold harp from the coat of arms of Ireland on a blue field. In modern heraldry, a royal cypher is a monogram-like device of a country's reigning sovereign, typically consisting of the initials of the monarch's name and title, sometimes interwoven and often surmounted by a crown. The present Queen's cypher is EIIR, standing for Elizabeth II Regina. Engraver: Stephen Taylor · SAPHIRE ANNIVERSARY · EIIR ST 1953-2018
Edge	Inscribed (lettered) Around its edge are inscribed the words ’Shine Through The Ages’, a tribute to the loyalty and devotion shown by Her Majesty in the 65 years since she made that speech. Coronation Speech, Queen Elizabeth II's speech, delivered on the evening of her coronation day at London, United Kingdom — June 2, 1953: "The ceremonies you have seen today are ancient, and some of their origins are veiled in the mists of the past. But their spirit and their meaning shine through the ages never, perhaps, more brightly than now." SHINE THROUGH THE AGES