| Coin | Gold Half Gram 2020 Noble |
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The Isle of Man has its own circulating coinage, which is used in parallel with the British Pound Sterling; it also issues an extensive range of commemorative coins for collectors, as well as bullion coins in a variety of formats and designs for investors in precious metals.
One of the formats used is the half gram of gold (0.5 g) mini-coin, in which this coin is made.
The mint says about this coin:
"The Noble coins have been issued by Isle of Man since the early 1980’s. They are not minted every year, but have an erratic schedule. Nobles are legal tender but they do not have a fixed face value; instead, like the Krugerrand or Mexico’s Libertad, they are legal tender to the value of their precious metal content. This .9999 gold proof edition with a size of 11 mm and a weight of 0.5 g will surely be a significant item in any collection. It is meant as a perfect complement to the silver piedfort coin."
It is usually said that Nobles are legal tender but without a fixed face value, like the Krugerrand or Mexico’s Libertad which are legal tender to the value of their precious metal content. However, according to the various Currency Determinations by The Treasury of the Isle of Man authorising each issue, under section 6 of the Currency Act 1992, the "Noble" denomination is equal to 5 pounds in face value, with fractions or multiples divided or multiplied as required by the fraction or multiplier shown on the reverse of the coin - hence, the half gram is 5/64 of a pound, or 0.078125 p (rounded up to eight pence). |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait" worldwide but "Sixth Portrait" in Australia, where the Queen's portrait by Vladimir Gottwald was fifth).
The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen mother) in 1937.
Unlike on British coinage, the effigy is "uncouped" (includes the Queen's shoulders) and extends almost to the rim of the coin; consequently, the legend does not run continuously around the rim.
The artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark) are in tiny letters below left.
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the date: QUEEN ELIZABETH II · ISLE OF MAN · 2020 ·.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin shows a Viking longboat under sail, with a dragon figurehead on the bow. In the background, flying seagulls.
in the exergue, the metal content: Au .9999 half gram (0.5 g of 99.99% gold; Au is abbreviated from aurum, the Latin word for gold).
Around below, the name of the coin type, NOBLE. The coin is hypothetically 1/64 Noble, although this is not spelled out on it.
The rim is framed by an elaborate Viking motif border design, interrupted at the top by a small Triskele symbol, which is the Coat of Arms of the Isle of Man. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
Au .9999 half gram NOBLE |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: proof.
CIT Item ID: 29412
It seems that the coin was produced (organised) by CIT but struck by B.H. Mayer whose name is also on the certificate. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Angel and Noble series issued in 2020 include:
- 1/10 oz Gold, Angel, 2020
- 0.5 g Gold, Noble, 2020
- 5 oz Silver, Angel, 2020
- 2 oz Silver, Noble, 2020
- 1 oz Silver, Angel, 2020
This is the "companion coin" to a large (2oz) silver coin with the same design. |
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