Like many other mints, the Royal Mint issues bullion coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The one ounce (1 oz) silver coins are denominated as either two pounds (£2) or five pounds (£5), depending on the occasion.
Initially, these were only of the Britannia type, but in 2015 the Royal Mint started to use the format for coins with other types of reverse designs, celebrating various aspects of British heritage.
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.
This 1oz (one-ounce) silver coin is the first in a two-coin mini series by the Royal Mint commemorating Lewis Carrol’s classic book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
The Mint says about it: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a truly original literary masterpiece and timeless tale made for the imagination. In 2021, Lewis Carroll’s story about an inquisitive young girl called Alice will be celebrated on a UK coin for the very first time. Created in collaboration with the V&A, this coin is exclusively brought to you from The Royal Mint’s Treasury of Tales. Made for both adults and children alike, Alice’s mind-bending trip into Wonderland is a classic example of literary nonsense, a popular form of writing in the mid-nineteenth century. What’s more, the book has never been out of print since its first publication in 1865.
Whilst Carroll’s words weave endless possibilities for our imagination, graphic humorist and political cartoonist Sir John Tenniel provided charming illustrations that helped bring the story to life - one of which features on the reverse design for this coin. This wonderful tribute to one of the most imaginative tales in literary history is a coin that can serve as a treasured keepsake for ardent fans of the book, or even the perfect "unbirthday" gift for a friend or loved one to start or add to their collection. |