Five Pounds 2002 Queen Mother, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

At the time of decimalisation in 1971, the United Kingdom Crown coin (equal to 5 shillings) was redenominated as a 25p coin and pieces struck prior to 1990 - all the way back to 1818 - continue to be legal tender for that amount. The old denomination had been a regular circulating coin in the 19th century, but in the 20th century it became more of a commemorative denomination.

The Royal Mint continued issuing commemorative coins in the same format - using the traditional coin dimensions, but in copper-nickel. These were initially also denominated as 25 pence but the "Crown" was changed in 1990 to a commemorative £5 (five pound) coin, having the same dimensions and weight but with a face value twenty times as great.

The denomination is used to mark special occasions, usually royal in theme, rather than for use in general circulation. Although not circulating, these coins are legal tender.

This commemorative £5 Crown-sized coin was issued as a memorial to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who passed away on the 30th March 2002. Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was the wife of King George VI and mother of Queen Elizabeth II. Following her funeral, the Royal Mint issued this coin - which is known as the Queen Mother Memorial Crown - to commemorate her life as a prominent British public figure.

The edge inscription STRENGTH DIGNITY LAUGHTER is in reference to the Archbishop of Canterbury's address at her funeral.

This is the forth commemorative crown coin for her, after the ones marking her 80th birthday in 1980, her 90th birthday in 1990 and 100th birthday in 2000.