Information about effigy: Coat of Arms of the Government of Gibraltar

The arms of the government of Gibraltar consist of the government Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom combined with a badge featuring the Coat of Arms of Gibraltar.

The Coat of Arms of Gibraltar was first granted by a Royal Warrant passed in Toledo on 10 July 1502 by Isabella I of Castile during Gibraltar's Spanish period. The arms consists of an escutcheon and features a three-towered red castle under which hangs a golden key. Today, the official coat of arms consists of the original coat of arms with the addition of the motto Montis Insignia Calpe ("Insignia of the Mountain of Calpe"; Mons Calpe was the Latin name of the Rock of Gibraltar), which was granted by the College of Arms in 1836 to commemorate the 1779 - 1783 Great Siege of Gibraltar. It is the oldest coat of arms in use in an overseas territory of the United Kingdom and is unique in that it is the only armorial insignia that dates from before the period of British colonial administration.

The head of state of Gibraltar is the British monarch, who is represented by the Governor of Gibraltar. The governor enacts day-to-day matters on the advice of the Gibraltar Parliament, but is responsible to the British government in respect of defence, foreign policy, internal security and general good governance. As such, the Coat of Arms of the government combines the Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (as the dominant element) with the Coat of Arms of Gibraltar (as a small badge below it).

On normal coinage, the obverse of coins issued under the jurisdiction of Gibraltar has the effigy of the monarch. On some coins though, the Coat of Arms of the Government of Gibraltar is displayed instead; on these, the legend of the monarch is not displayed either.

Gibraltar gold bullion coin

Gibraltar / Gold Ounce 2021 Lady Justice

The Coat of Arms of the Government of Gibraltar as displayed on a gold bullion coin.