| Coin | Silver Wedding Crown, 1972 |
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This crown coin was issued to mark the Silver Wedding (25th anniversary of the marriage) of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. It is the first modern (decimal) crown-size commemorative coin.
Both sides (the reverse and the Queen's portrait on the obverse) were designed by Arnold Machin.
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 just as the last pre-decimal crowns had been, also denominated as 25 pence.
Although not circulating, these coins are legal tender for 25 pence, but contrary to popular belief this does not mean that banks and retailers automatically have to accept them. In the United Kingdom, they are accepted by Royal Mail post offices. |
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| Obverse | |
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Crowned and draped young bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (effigy known as the "Second Portrait", by Arnold Machin).
The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Rank-Broadley and the Gottwald portraits.
Around, 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.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse features at its centre two large initials: EP (for Elizabeth and Philip) on a background of foliage (or a "floral garland"), with a naked figure of Eros between the letters. The initials are crowned with the Royal Crown above them.
Around above, the inscription · ELIZABETH AND PHILIP ·; around below, the dates 20 NOVEMBER 1947 - 1972. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
EP · ELIZABETH AND PHILIP · 20 NOVEMBER 1947 - 1972 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Mintage comprised of:
7,452,100 circulation grade coins, plus
150,000 proofs.
Off-metal strikes (silver) not included.
Due to the official face value (which is not shown anywhere on the coin), some catalogues list it as "25 New Pence". |
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