Description

For the very first time The Royal Mint has chosen to feature the Tower of London on a series of UK coins. Starting with The Legend of the Ravens, the collection continues with coins featuring The Crown Jewels, Yeoman Warders and The Ceremony of the Keys. Together the coins tell the story of this mighty stone fortress and the ancient ceremonies that still take place within these walls.

The Yeomen Warders of Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, and Members of the Sovereign's Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary, popularly known as the Beefeaters, are ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London. In principle they are responsible for looking after any prisoners in the Tower and safeguarding the British crown jewels; they have also conducted guided tours since the Victorian era.

Since 2011, there have been 37 Yeomen Warders and one Chief Warder. All warders are retired from the Armed Forces of Commonwealth realms and must be former warrant officers with at least 22 years of service. They must also hold the Long Service and Good Conduct medal.