| Coin | Five Pounds 2020 Bond, James Bond |
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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 £5 Crown-sized commemorative coin is part of the extensive James Bond Collection issued by the Royal Mint in 2020.
The James Bond series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections. Since Fleming's death in 1964, eight other authors have written authorised Bond novels or novelisations. The character - also known by his code number 007 - has also been adapted for television, radio, comic strip, video games and film.
The reverse design of the coin is a collaboration between Matt Dent and Christian Davies; this is the first Royal Mint commission for Christian Davies, while Matt Dent has completed several commissions including the 2012 Charles Dickens £2 coin, the 2011 World Wildlife Fund 50p coin and the suite of reverse designs for the definitive circulating coins from the 1p to the £1, released in 2008.
Within the James Bond Collection, this coin is the first part of a three-coin series with complementing designs which, put next to each other, make up the 007 logo. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (her effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait").
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials J.C (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously around the effigy is the monarch's legend, followed by the date of issue and the face value: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 5 POUNDS · 2020 ·. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English and the year.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse shows the famous car of James Bond, an Aston Martin DB5. Overlaid on that, a large 0 (numeral zero), the first part of 007.
Below the exergue line, the character's famous introduction of himself: BOND, JAMES BOND.
The designers' initials, CD-MD (for Christian Davies and Matt Dent) are around right in the exergue.
The face value and date of issue are on the obverse. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
BOND, JAMES BOND |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Brilliant Uncirculated coins only, no proofs.
Mintage includes 33,008 carded coins plus 18,047 "in trade packaging" and 991 in PNC.
In the 2020 sales report, the Royal Mint calls the three different James Bond designs "past", "present", and "future" - a distinction not made elsewhere. Judging by the listed PNCs or lack thereof (not all three designs have the same), we have decided that this design is what the mint calls "present". |
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| See also |
Coins and bullion products in the James Bond series by the Royal Mint include:
- Gold 7 kg (£7,000), James Bond, 007, 2020
- Gold 2 kg (£2,000), James Bond, 007, 2020
- Gold 1 kg (£1,000), James Bond, 007, 2020
- Gold 10 oz (£500), James Bond, 007, 2021
- Gold 5 oz (£500), James Bond, 007, 2020
- Silver 1 kg (£500), James Bond, 007, 2020
- Silver 10 oz (£10), James Bond, 007, 2021
- Silver 5 oz (£10), James Bond, 007, 2020
- Gold 2 oz (£200), Bond, James Bond, 2020
- Gold 1 oz (£100), Bond, James Bond, 2020
- Gold 1/4 oz (£25), Bond, James Bond, 2020
- Silver 2 oz (£5), Bond, James Bond, 2020
- Silver 1 oz (£2), Bond, James Bond, 2020
- Silver 1/2 oz (£1), Bond, James Bond, 2020
- £5 Copper-Nickel, Bond, James Bond, 2020
- Gold 2 oz (£200), James Bond, Pay Attention, 2020
- Gold 1 oz (£100), James Bond, Pay Attention, 2020
- Gold 1/4 oz (£25), James Bond, Pay Attention, 2020
- Silver 2 oz (£5), James Bond, Pay Attention, 2020
- Silver 1 oz (£2), James Bond, Pay Attention, 2020
- Silver 1/2 oz (£1), James Bond, Pay Attention, 2020
- £5 Copper-Nickel, James Bond, Pay Attention, 2020
- Gold 2 oz (£200), James Bond, Shaken not Stirred, 2020
- Gold 1 oz (£100), James Bond, Shaken not Stirred, 2020
- Gold 1/4 oz (£25), James Bond, Shaken not Stirred, 2020
- Silver 2 oz (£5), James Bond, Shaken not Stirred, 2020
- Silver 1 oz (£2), James Bond, Shaken not Stirred, 2020
- Silver 1/2 oz (£1), James Bond, Shaken not Stirred, 2020
- £5 Copper-Nickel, James Bond, Shaken not Stirred, 2020
- 1 oz Gold Bar (not legal tender), James Bond - No Time to Die, 2020
- 1 oz Gold Bar (not legal tender), James Bond - Diamonds Are Forever, 2022
- 10 oz Silver Bar (not legal tender), James Bond - No Time to Die, 2020
- 10 oz Silver Bar (not legal tender), James Bond - Diamonds Are Forever, 2022
- 1 oz Silver Bar (not legal tender), James Bond - No Time to Die, 2020
- 1 oz Silver Bar (not legal tender), James Bond - Diamonds Are Forever, 2022
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