Five Pounds 2024 Myths and Legends - Maid Marian, 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.

Maid Marian is the second design in the Myths and Legends range of coins by the Royal Mint; the first one featured Robin Hood.

The mint says about this coin:
A latecomer to the tales of Robin Hood, Maid Marian made her first appearance as part of the English legend in the sixteenth century.

Now, the courageous heroine makes her first appearance on a commemorative coin as the second of three coins in our Myths and Legends collection dedicated to Robin Hood and his Merry Men.