| Coin | Silver Ounce 2022 Harry Potter - Hogwarts Express |
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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 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 silver ounce denominated as £2 marks the 25th anniversary of the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - published on 26 June 1997. It is the second design in a series of four (each released in a number of coin formats).
"Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" is the first in a series of seven fantasy novels (all later filmed) written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story concerns Harry's struggle against Lord Voldemort, a dark wizard who intends to become immortal, overthrow the wizard governing body known as the Ministry of Magic and subjugate all wizards and Muggles (non-magical people).
Engraved by Ffion Gwillim, the design is based on book illustrations by Jim Kay and not on the subsequent films (in which Harry Potter was portrayed by actor Daniel Radcliffe). |
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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 · 2 POUNDS · 2022 ·. 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 of the coin shows Hogwarts Express - the steam train which brings students from London to the Hogwarts School of Magic, with students boarding it at Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station.
Around above, the inscription HOGWARTS EXPRESS; around below left, 25 YEARS OF MAGIC.
In the right field, a circle with a latent image which reveals the numeral 25 and a thunderbolt (referencing Harry's thunderbolt-shaped scar) when viewed at an angle.
The date of issue and the face value are on the obverse. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
HOGWARTS EXPRESS 25 YEARS OF MAGIC |
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| Edge | Plain, incuse inscribed | Edge Inscription | PLATFORM NINE AND THREE QUARTERS |
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| Notes | Finish: Proof FDC.
Packaging: boxed, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Limited Edition 15,000. Maximum Coin Mintage: 15,010.
Royal Mint Product Code: UK22HES1
Release date: 5 December 2022.
Release price: £99.50
The series had been announced much earlier and was supposed to be released in September; it was, however, delayed due to a period of mourning after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The Royal Mint announced that the first two releases in the series (dated 2022) will have the Queen's effigy on the obverse - as already approved, and the other two releases (dated 2023) will have the effigy of King Charles III. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Harry Potter series by the Royal Mint include:
- 2 oz Gold Proof, Harry Potter, 2022
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof, Harry Potter, 2022
- 5 oz Silver Proof, Harry Potter, 2022
- 2 oz Silver Proof, Harry Potter, 2022
- 1 oz Silver Proof, Harry Potter, 2022
- 50 Pence (with silver and gold versions), Harry Potter, 2022
- 2 oz Gold Proof, Hogwarts Express, 2022
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof, Hogwarts Express, 2022
- 5 oz Silver Proof, Hogwarts Express, 2022
- 2 oz Silver Proof, Hogwarts Express, 2022
- 1 oz Silver Proof, Hogwarts Express, 2022
- 50 Pence (with silver and gold versions), Hogwarts Express, 2022
- 2 oz Gold Proof, Albus Dumbledore, 2023
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof, Albus Dumbledore, 2023
- 5 oz Silver Proof, Albus Dumbledore, 2023
- 2 oz Silver Proof, Albus Dumbledore, 2023
- 1 oz Silver Proof, Albus Dumbledore, 2023
- 50 Pence (with silver and gold versions), Albus Dumbledore, 2023
- 2 oz Gold Proof, Hogwarts, 2023
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof, Hogwarts, 2023
- 5 oz Silver Proof, Hogwarts, 2023
- 2 oz Silver Proof, Hogwarts, 2023
- 1 oz Silver Proof, Hogwarts, 2023
- 50 Pence (with silver and gold versions), Hogwarts, 2023
- 1/40 oz Gold Proof, The Winged Keys, 2024
- 1 oz Silver Proof, The Winged Keys, 2024
- 50 Pence (with silver and gold versions), The Winged Keys, 2024
- 1 oz Silver Proof, The Black Lake, 2024
- 50 Pence (with silver and gold versions), The Black Lake, 2024
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