Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 5 Pounds 2020, Sp# L80, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 250th Anniversary of Birth of William Wordsworth
  • 5 Pounds 2020, Sp# L80, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 250th Anniversary of Birth of William Wordsworth
  • 5 Pounds 2020, Sp# L80, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 250th Anniversary of Birth of William Wordsworth, Booklet
Description

The Royal Mint is celebrating 250 years since the birth of William Wordsworth with a commemorative coin. This coin has been designed with the support of the Wordsworth Trust.

William Wordsworth (1770–1850) was an English Romantic poet. Recognised as one of the most popular poets to have written in the English language, the poem ‘I Wondered Lonely as a Cloud’ is Wordsworth’s most admired work, commonly known as ‘Daffodils’ and is inspired by a walk he once took with his sister.

Wordsworth's magnum opus is generally considered to be The Prelude, a semi-autobiographical poem of his early years that he revised and expanded a number of times. It was posthumously titled and published by his wife in the year of his death.

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·5 POUNDS·2020·
JC

Reverse

Depicts lines from one of Wordsworth’s most celebrated poems, ‘Tintern Abbey’ and Scafell Pike in the Lake District – the UK’s highest peak - rising above a tranquil lake.

William Wordsworth was inspired by the epic grandeur of the Lake District landscape, where he was born and lived most of his life.

Designer: David Lawrence

1770 WILLIAM WORDSWORTH 1850
D.L
Nature never did
betray the
heart than
loved her

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 28.2 g
Diameter 38.6 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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5th portrait, Silver Proof Coin

250th Anniversary of Birth of William Wordsworth

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