Queen Victoria reigned from just after her 18th birthday until her death at the age of 81. She is Britain’s second longest reigning monarch. She was married to her beloved Albert for 21 years, and mourned his death for nearly 40 years afterwards. But what else do you know about Victoria. Here are six unusual facts that you may find interesting.
Benedetto Pistrucci – The Man Behind The Design
There is a myriad of designs that adorn coins all over the world. From shields and floral wreaths, to coats of arms and cyphers. But one particular design, many believe, stands head and shoulders above the rest. The design is that of St George and the Dragon – on the reverse of the sovereign of King George III created in 1817. But what of its designer, Benedetto Pistrucci? Here, we take a brief look back at his life, from his early years, growing up and being educated in Rome, to his time at the Royal Mint and the creation of this iconic design.
Proof, BU and Bullion…What Does It All Mean?
In the wonderful world of numismatics, you will hear many terms for the gold and silver that you purchase, and some of the terms that you may hear could be PROOF, BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED or BU, and BULLION. Here is a quick guide to the differences between the three.
Coin Collecting Glossary – The In’s and Out’s Part 2
Following on from our blog ‘Coin Collecting Glossary – The In’s and Out’s’, we take a look at some more of the terms that you may find useful if you are starting out in the wonderful world of numismatics.
Seven Things You May Not Know About Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II’s 95th Birthday Sovereign Range

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 95th birthday this year on April 21st, making her Britain’s oldest reigning monarch. This, together with what has been an incredible 69-year reign so far, makes her quite a remarkable presence and one that Britain will rejoice and celebrate in April this year.
In 1947, Queen Elizabeth II married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the couple has four children: Charles, Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. In 1953, Elizabeth was crowned and officially recognized as sovereign. Since then, the Queen has served in her role as the Queen of England, and in 2018, she became the first British monarch to reach a Sapphire Jubilee—a celebration to mark 65 years of her reign.