United Kingdom (Great Britain) Elizabeth II 25 Pounds

History

25 Pounds 2021, Sp# OA13, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 95th Anniversary of Birth of Elizabeth II

25 Pounds 2021, Sp# OA13, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 95th Anniversary of Birth of Elizabeth II, Wooden box

Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint

Description

2021 marks the Queen's 69th year on the throne, she is Britain's longest-reigning monarch and she was the only British monarch to ever turn 95 whilst still on the throne.

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 Birth or death 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·25 POUNDS·2021· J.C
Reverse	Crown, jewelry Saint Edward Monogram, signature Elizabeth II Tree, flower, plant etc. Shamrock Depicts the Royal cypher “EIIR”, a crown and a wreath of the English rose, the Welsh leek, the Scottish thistle and the Northern Irish shamrock, representing the four Home Nations. Engraver's initials below. Surrounded by the dates above and the phrase from the first televised Queen's speech (Christmas broadcast 1957) 'Today things are very different. I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice, but I can do something else, I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.' St Edward's Crown is one of the oldest Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom and the centrepiece of the coronation regalia. Named after Edward the Confessor, it has traditionally been used to crown English and British monarchs at their coronation ceremonies. The current version was made for the coronation of Charles II in 1661. Engraver: Timothy Noad 1926 2021 EIIR TN MY HEART AND MY DEVOTION
Edge	Reeded (milled)