United Kingdom (Great Britain) Elizabeth II 5 Pounds

History

5 Pounds 2020, Sp# L82, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Tower of London, Royal Menagerie

Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint

Description

The Royal Mint issued the continuation of the epic story of London’s imposing royal palace and fortress with a second commemorative coin series. A set of four commemorative coins will mark four further fascinating aspects of the diverse history of the Tower of London, including some of the many institutions founded at the Tower and functioning there for hundreds of years.

The first coin in the series – The White Tower – will feature the iconic mace of office carried by the Chief Yeoman Warder of the Tower of London. Additional coins will feature The Royal Menagerie, The Royal Mint and The Infamous Prison.

For over 600 years, a collection of wild beasts was housed at the Tower of London. In 1235, Henry III (1216-72) was delighted to be presented with three 'leopards' (probably lions but referred to as leopards in the heraldry on the king's shield) by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. These inspired the King to start a zoo at the Tower. Over time the collection of animals grew: the lions were joined by a polar bear in 1252 and an African elephant in 1255. The Menagerie closed for good in 1835, with many remaining animals sold to other zoos or travelling circuses. The Lion Tower was later demolished.

Obverse	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·F·D·5 POUNDS·2020· JC
Reverse	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Lion Coat of arms England Construction (building, bridge etc.) Tower of London Depicts the three Lions of England, a famous heraldic device. The Norman arched window is a distinctive feature at the Tower and it mirrored the curve of a coin, works as a device to unify the four coins in series. A special Tower mint mark is on the bottom right. Royal emblems depicting lions were first used by Danish Vikings, Saxons and Normans. Later, with Plantagenets a formal and consistent English heraldry system emerged at the end of the 12th century. The earliest surviving representation of an escutcheon, or shield, displaying three lions is that on the Great Seal of King Richard I (1189–1199), which initially displayed one or two lions rampant, but in 1198 was permanently altered to depict three lions passant, perhaps representing Richard I's principal three positions as King of the English, Duke of the Normans, and Duke of the Aquitanians. After the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland entered a personal union, the arms of England and Scotland were marshalled (combined) in what has now become the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. The coat of three lions continues to represent England on several coins of the pound sterling, forms the basis of several emblems of English national sports teams (although with altered tinctures) and endures as one of the most recognisable national symbols of England. Designer: Tim Noad TOWER OF LONDON TN
Edge	Reeded (milled)