United Kingdom (Great Britain) Elizabeth II 5 Pounds

History

5 Pounds 2021, Sp# L89, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 50th Anniversary of the Royal Albert Hall

5 Pounds 2021, Sp# L89, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 50th Anniversary of the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Mint case accompanied by a booklet

Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint

Description

The Royal Mint has released (23rd March) crown coins on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the inauguration of one of the world’s most distinctive performance venues — the incomparable Royal Albert Hall. Located in the heart of Kensington, West London, the concert hall was inaugurated by Queen Victoria on the 29th March 1871 in memory of her beloved husband, Prince Consort Albert, who had unexpectedly died a decade earlier.

One of the United Kingdom's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity (which receives no government funding). It can seat 5,272. The world's leading artists from many performance genres have appeared on its stage. It is the venue for the Proms concerts, which have been held there every summer since 1941. It is host to more than 390 shows in the main auditorium annually, including classical, rock and pop concerts, ballet, opera, film screenings with live orchestral accompaniment, sports, awards ceremonies, school and community events, and charity performances and banquets. A further 400 events are held each year in the non-auditorium spaces.

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·2021· J.C
Reverse	Construction (building, bridge etc.) Concert hall Flag United Kingdom (Union Jack) Depicts the Royal Albert Hall building, inscription above and the commemorative years below. The Hall is an ellipse in plan, with its external major and minor axis of 272 and 236 feet (83 and 72 meters), and its internal minor and major axis of 185 and 219 feet (56 and 67 m). The great glass and wrought-iron dome roofing the Hall is 135 ft (41 m) high. Around the outside of the building is 800-foot–long terracotta mosaic frieze, depicting "The Triumph of Arts and Sciences", in reference to the Hall's dedication. Engraver: Anne Desmet RA ROYAL · ALBERT · HALL AD 1871 · 2021
Edge	Inscribed (lettered) The reference to Prince Albert’s original vision for the venue INSPIRING ARTS AND SCIENCES