Queen Elizabeth II’s record reign: The Royal Mint launches new £50 commemorative coin
The Royal Mint will launch the UK’s first face value for the £50 for £50 coin. It will commemorate the year that Queen Elizabeth II became the country’s longest-reigning monarch. The coins will feature portraits of both the queen and Britannia.
Collectors will have the opportunity to buy one of the 100,000 silver coins. The portraits have been designed by Royal Mint engraver Jody Clark, Hello reports. The 33-year-old artist rose to fame in March when he designed the fifth definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth on circulating coins since the monarch's ascension to the throne in 1952.
Clark is the youngest designer ever to be selected for the honour. His royal effigy has been paired with his critically acclaimed contemporary figure of Britannia on the new commemorative £50 coin. Clark said that it was an “honour” to have his designs selected for the coin.
“Having my portrait of the Queen selected for Britain's coinage was an incredible experience, but now, seeing the portrait combined with my Britannia design on the UK’s new 50 pounds coin is a double honour,” he said.
The coins are available to buy on the Royal Mint’s website with a limited number of 100,000 coins on offer, Mirror UK reports. The coins will weigh around 31 grammes and will have a 34 mm diameter.
Elizabeth became the longest-reigning monarch in British history on Sept. 9, having surpassed the record set by her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria. The monarch got congratulatory messages from across the world for her milestone.
Meanwhile, the British monarch is set to mark another milestone, her 90th birthday, in 2016. Queen Elizabeth, who officially turns 90 on April 21, will also mark the day with the biggest street party ever on The Mall in London on June 12. Buckingham Palace has announced that four nights of birthday celebrations will be hosted in Windsor’s Home Park.
The queen has confirmed to attend the final show on May 15. The British-style celebrations will witness 10,000 guests. Apart from Queen Elizabeth and her husband, her grandsons Princes William and Harry and other members of the royal family will also attend the celebrations.
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