Five Pounds 2020 King George III, 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 £5 Crown-sized commemorative coin commemorates the bicentenary (200th anniversary) of the death of King George III, one of the longest-ruling British monarchs.

King George III came to the throne in 1760, the first Hanoverian monarch to be born in Britain and speak English as a first language. He reigned for 59 years in Britain, during a period of industrial and agricultural growth. He was the first king of the United Kingdom and the last king of what is now the United States. He was a symbol of stability during a time of great change for the region, and his multi-faceted nature is reflected in the coin's design.

As the designer Dominique Evans mentions, it was important to "add symbolism reflecting the life of a king and mind of a man who was dedicated to discovery and progress" to the coin's design. She says about her design:
"I have placed George III at the centre of the coin design in a pose reflecting the iconic bull head portrait [by Benedetto Pistrucci], that I, like many, greatly admire. Surrounding George III’s head are the symbols of his kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, framed by his crown. I felt it important to add symbolism reflecting the life of a king, a man who was dedicated to discovery and progress. From science to agriculture and industry George III left a legacy that has been built on and we benefit from today.”