Coin | Silver Ounce 2023 Harry Potter - Hogwarts |
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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 fourth and final 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, and features the castle of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. |
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Obverse | |
The obverse of the coin displays the first definitive portrait of King Charles III, which shows his bare (uncrowned) head facing left.
Below the neck truncation in tiny letters, the artist's initials MJ (for Martin Jennings).
Around, the monarch's legend followed by the face value and date of issue: CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 2 POUNDS · 2023 ·. Translated from Latin, the legend means: Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith.
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Reverse | |
The reverse of the coin depicts the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the Harry Potter series of books, surrounded by stars.
Around above, the inscription HOGWARTS; around below left, 25 YEARS OF MAGIC.
In the left field, a circle with a latent image which reveals the numeral 25 and a thunderbolt (referencing Harry Potter'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 25 YEARS OF MAGIC |
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Edge | Plain, incuse inscribed | Edge Inscription | NITWIT! BLUBBER! ODDMENT! TWEAK! |
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Notes | Finish: Proof FDC. Packaging: boxed, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. Limited Edition 5,000. Maximum Coin Mintage: 5,010. Royal Mint Product Code: UK23HSS1 Date of issue: 27 March 2023. Issue price: £99.50
The edge inscription "DRACO DORMIENS NUNQUAM TITILLANDUS" is the motto of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and means "Never tickle a sleeping dragon". |
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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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