This year we witnessed the coronation of a new British monarch, the first for over seventy years, reminding us how special an event like this is. Coins have already been issued to commemorate the event, but did you know that of the five monarchs to precede King Charles III, only three of them had crown coins issued for their coronation year, and of those only two were commemorative designs?
Find out all you need to know about them here…
Queen Victoria 1887 Golden Jubilee Year Silver Crown
Queen Victoria’s first circulating coins were released for her coronation in 1838, but this excluded the crown coin as this denomination did not appear until 1844. Fifty years later in 1887, to celebrate her Golden Jubilee, a five-shilling crown coin was issued, featuring a special portrait of Queen Victoria with the acclaimed St George and the dragon design.
King Edward VII 1902 Coronation Year Silver Crown
For King Edward VII’s coronation in 1902, new coinage was released into circulation, and a five-shilling crown coin was minted. The crown featured St George slaying the dragon and a portrait of the king on the obverse. This is the only silver crown coin issued during the reign of King Edward VII, as it had fallen out of favour as a circulating coin.
King George V 1935 Silver Jubilee Silver Crown
Specially prepared Proof coins for regular circulating designs were struck in 1911 for King George V’s coronation, but the crown coin was not one of them. The only milestone of King George V’s reign which was commemorated with a specially designed silver crown coin was his Silver Jubilee in 1935, making this the first silver crown with a commemorative design.
King George VI 1937 Coronation Silver Crown
For the crowning of King George VI in 1937, new coinage was minted, as well as a one-year only silver crown coin issued in commemoration of his coronation. This was the last silver crown coin ever to be put into circulation in Britain and featured the Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom.
Queen Elizabeth II 1953 Coronation Commemorative Crown
Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 was celebrated with the issue of a commemorative design crown coin. Britain’s circulating coins were no longer silver at this time, and were instead made of cupronickel. This crown featured an Equestrian Portrait of the young queen; a style borrowed from silver crown coins of centuries past, and one that would be borrowed from the coins of her Silver, Golden and Platinum Jubilees.
Issued to mark the coronation of King Charles III, this is the first silver crown coin ever to feature the official Coronation Emblem. Secure yours HERE.