Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 5 Pounds 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, Coronation of Charles III
  • 5 Pounds 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, Coronation of Charles III
  • 5 Pounds 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, Coronation of Charles III, Box with a certificate of authenticity
Description

The 2023 Charles III Coronation range from The Royal Mint features £5 coins, a new 50p and a range of troy-ounce coins struck in silver and gold. There's even a special gold Sovereign, due to be struck on the day of His Majesty's coronation. All coins in the range feature the world’s first official crowned coinage portrait of King Charles III, specially created for this occasion.

Obverse

Depicts crowned King Charles III’s effigy adorned with the so-called Tudor Crown, surrounded by the Latin inscription. Engraver's initials on the neck.

The real Tudor Crown was destroyed in the seventeenth century but a stylised representation also known as the King's Crown or Imperial Crown is still used in heraldry, including as part of The King's royal cypher. While various crown symbols had been used for this purpose for many years previously, the specific Tudor Crown design was standardised at the request of Edward VII. It was never intended to represent any actual physical crown, although in shape it bears a close resemblance to the small diamond crown of Queen Victoria.

CHARLES III DEI GRATIA REX FIDEI DEFENSOR means King Charles III, by the Grace of God King, Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: Martin Jennings (MJ)

•CHARLES III•D•G•REX F•D•5 POUNDS•2023
MJ

Reverse

Depicts iconic symbols, including the St Edward's Crown and the Sovereign's Sceptres with Cross and with Dove.

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.

Two gold sceptres made in 1661 are part of the coronation regalia. The Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross is a token of his or her temporal power as head of state. The whole object is 92 cm (3 ft) long, weighs around 1.17 kg (2.6 lb), and is decorated with 333 diamonds, 31 rubies, 15 emeralds, 7 sapphires, 6 spinels, and 1 composite amethyst. In 1910, it was redesigned to incorporate Cullinan I, also known as the Great Star of Africa, which, at over 530 carats (106 g), is the largest clear cut diamond in the world. Above the pear-shaped diamond is the amethyst surmounted by a cross pattée encrusted with an emerald and small diamonds.

The Sovereign's Sceptre with Dove, which has also been known as the Rod of Equity and Mercy, is emblematic of their spiritual role. It is slightly longer, at 1.1 m (3.6 ft), but weighs about the same as the Sceptre with Cross. The sceptre is decorated with 285 gemstones, including 94 diamonds, 53 rubies, 10 emeralds, 4 sapphires and 3 spinels. Circling the rod are bands of precious stones. At the top is a gold monde set with diamonds and topped by a plain cross, upon which sits a white enamelled dove with its wings outspread, representing the Holy Ghost. A sceptre like this first appeared in the 11th century and was probably based on the German sceptre, which was topped by an Imperial Eagle. The Sceptre with Dove is the penultimate piece of regalia to be delivered. As the monarch holds both sceptres, they are crowned with St Edward's Crown.

Engraver: Timothy Noad (TN)

THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III
6 MAY 2023
TN

Edge

• GOD SAVE OUR GRACIOUS KING

Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.91667
Weight 39.94 g
Diameter 38.61 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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