Five Pounds 2008 Queen Elizabeth I, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

The obverse shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.

In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).

Around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the date: ELIZABETH · II D · G · REG · F · D FIVE POUNDS. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English.

The reverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth I by silversmith Rod Kelly. Inspired by the magnificent 'Armada' portrait of Elizabeth by George Gower, the Queen is crowned and set within a mandorla created by four decorative arches.

A rose has been placed at each connecting point while the two side arches each contain a leaf pattern reminiscent of the carvings made by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.

Around above, separated by the arches, the inscription ELIZABETH REGINA (from Latin: Elizabeth, Queen).

The year of her accession (1558) and the year of the anniversary (2008) are both shown in Roman numerals, separated by the arches: MDLVIII and MMVIII respectively.

The designer's initial's RAK are incuse above the left decorative arch.

Mintage figure comprised of:
20,047 circulation coins
26,700 brilliant uncirculated in presentation folder
30,649 cryptically listed by the Royal Mint as "£5 for £5 - Queen Elizabeth I"
36,333 proofs
Off-metal strikes not included.