| Coin | Silver Five Ounces 2017 Platinum Wedding |
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Like many other mints, the Royal Mint issues bullion coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The five ounce (5 oz) silver coins are denominated as ten pounds (£10).
The coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation. They are targeted at bullion investors or collectors who appreciate the special editions as pieces of art. The coins are typically "one-year" types usually issued in parallel with smaller denominations with the same reverse designs.
This commemorative £10 coin celebrates the Platinum Wedding (or 70th anniversary of the marriage) of Queen Elizabeth II to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The reverse was designed by John Bergdahl, and the obverse by Etienne Millner. The Royal Mint says about the design:
"To have fallen in love completely and unreservedly makes all one’s personal troubles and even the world’s seem small and petty." Written by Philip in 1946, these words demonstrate the strength of his love for Princess Elizabeth, which inspired him when designing her engagement ring. Diamonds from his mother’s tiara were set in platinum and The Queen still wears the ring to this day.
Etienne Millner’s combined portrait graces the obverse, while John Bergdahl’s double shield design features the heraldic lineage of the two families that became entwined when the couple married. |
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| Obverse | |
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At the centre of the obverse are the conjoined old busts of Queen Elizabeth II (in the foreground, to the left, crowned and wearing a pearl necklace), and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (in background, to the right), both facing right.
Around left is the monarch's legend, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D · (translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith), followed around right by her husband's legend, PHILIP PRINCEPS · (from Latin: Philip, Prince).
Around below right, facing in the opposite direction, the value and denomination TEN POUNDS.
The artist's initials EM (for Etienne Millner) are incuse below the Queen's necklace. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse has a double shield design, depicting the heraldic lineage of the two families that became entwined when the couple married.
On the left, the Coat of Arms of the Queen, representing - clockwise from top left - England, Scotland, England again and Northern Ireland (Wales has no Coat of Arms so is not represented). On the right, the Coat of Arms of Prince Philip where three lions "passant" represent his Danish royal lineage, a cross represents his Greek royal lineage, a castle on a hill is for his title as Duke of Edinburgh, and vertical lines in the other quarter stand for Battenberg/Mountbatten.
In two lines below, the inscription 70 YEARS OF MARRIAGE, below which the date · 2017 ·.
The artist's initials JB (for John Bergdahl) are in relief in the right field next the Prince's arms. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
70 YEARS OF MARRIAGE · 2017 · |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | The five ounce coin has two versions, one in silver and one in gold, both with ten pounds face value. The silver version was in a black presentation box, Royal Mint Product Code: UK17PWS5, issue price £420.00, issue limit 1,947. |
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