Tag: Royal Mint
British Royal Mint Unveils Glorious 2009 Britannia Gold Proof Collection
The Royal Mint is delighted to introduce the 2009 Britannia collection, featuring Philip Nathan's famous 1997 design of Britannia standing tall in her chariot.
His stunning design appears on the reverse, while the current portrait of Her Majesty the Queen takes pride of place on the obverse - the first time that the two designs have appeared alongside each other on a gold coin.
The 2009 collection is the eighth in a series of Britannia commemorative coins to be released since their inception by the Royal Mint in 1987. Unusually for UK gold coins, the Britannia Collection is struck to 22 carat gold Proof quality, but with a small quantity of silver added to the alloy, resulting in a brilliant yellow gold finish.
UK 20p Undated Error Coins Commanding Huge Premiums
News of an error in UK's Royal Mint 20 pence coin (20p) blasted through the media this week, creating an intensified fervor in collectors trying to find and buy the coins.
Prices for the coin, which have a face value of about 33 cents US, have shot up with auction bidding reaching as high as several hundred dollars. (See current eBay auctions.)
According to reports, the Mint issued tens of thousands "year-less" 20p coins toward the end of 2008.
2009 UK Henry VIII £5 Anniversary Coins Launched
Celebrating the 500th anniversary of the ascension of a king considered to be controversial at the least, the Royal Mint has issued the 2009 UK Henry VIII £5 coins. These coins are available in platinum, gold, silver and cupro-nickel.
Dave Knight, Director of Commemorative Coins at the Mint, explains the choice for these commemorative coins:
"Love him or hate him, Henry VIII is undoubtedly one of history's most influential monarchs. His reign changed the face of England forever and we felt it was essential that this remarkable period of history was commemorated with a lasting and treasured memento."