Description
The 21st of April 2026 marks one hundred years to the day since the birth of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning and much-loved monarch. Her life spanned almost a century of extraordinary change, and throughout it she remained a constant source of wisdom, warmth and unwavering dedication to service. When she sadly passed away in 2022 the nation mourned her loss: but now, with the passing of a few years, it feels appropriate to celebrate her life, and the incredible legacy of her reign.
So to mark this centenary milestone, these new gold sovereign coins have been produced in a ‘milestone’ type of gold. Sovereign coins are customarily minted in 22 carat gold, which means they are 91.67% pure gold with 8.33% of other metals – usually nickel or copper to give the gold additional strength. However, these new coins honouring Britain’s only monarch ever to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, have been minted in ‘Platinum-Gold’. This means they are 91.67% gold, enriched by the addition of 8.33% platinum. These coins are composed entirely of precious metals, and two of the most sought-after at that!
The coins all feature an entirely new design in which a young Queen Elizabeth II takes the place of the allegorical ‘Una’, alongside the lion. This historic scene has an esteemed connection with gold sovereign coinage, first appearing on a five pound gold coin that celebrated the reign of Queen Victoria. It’s symbolic that these two great monarchs should now be connected through the release of these commemorative coins.
These centenary coins are likely to resonate deeply with people across the United Kingdom. Just about every family has their own cherished memories of the queen – moments of unity, comfort or pride that marked her extraordinary life of service.
Here is a snapshot of the benefits:
- These coins feature a new design of Elizabeth and the Lion, an interpretation of the allegorical tale of Una and the Lion. This is a tale of virtue triumphing over aggression, which in itself speaks to the personal qualities our former queen brought to an era of incredible upheaval and change. This design is the work of artist Jody Clark, who also created the portrait of her son, and successor, King Charles III on the obverse side.
- The centenary of the late queen’s birth is a significant moment for national commemoration, especially now that the passage of time allows us to celebrate her life more fully. As we celebrate the milestone anniversaries of all our greatest monarchs, it is only right that Queen Elizabeth II should take her place among them. What better way to honour the passing of ten decades than with coins that bring together a highly precious gold alloy with an historic and sought-after design motif?
A new interpretation of the iconic Una and the lion design, with both sides of the coin by the same artist!
Inspired by Edmund Spenser’s epic medieval poem ‘The Faerie Queene’, it was the young Queen Victoria who was first depicted as Una with the lion on the first gold £5 coin of her reign in 1839. Originals of this coin fetch as much as £600,000 today! Now, her great-great granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II appears as Una, side by side with the British Lion in a new treatment of this historic and beautiful coin motif.
This new design is by talented artist Jody Clark, who is also responsible for the portrait of His Majesty King Charles III on the obverse side of each of these coins. For those who admire tradition and support the continuity of the monarchy, these coins portray a monarch and his predecessor – a mother and her son – creating an historic link in the designs which will surely add to the pressure of demand.
Authorised by Tristan Da Cunha and approved by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Buckingham Palace, it is a wonderful way to mark a milestone anniversary for HRH The Prince and Princess of Wales.
