Monarchs are rarely portrayed in any style other than the traditional facial profile portrait. In fact, not since the reign of King Charles I had a British monarch been depicted in an equestrian portrait. Well-known for her horsemanship, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II along with three of her royal jubilees have been celebrated with crown sized British commemorative coins that depict her on horseback, also known as an Equestrian Portrait.
In our latest blog, we walk you through some of the most important coin designs of Her Late Majesty’s reign, featuring an equestrian portrait…
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Crown of 1953
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was held on 2 June 1953; more than a year after her accession. Part of the celebrations of the coronation was the issue of a commemorative crown, the first in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Over the years, this crown has become one of the most iconic and sought-after coins.
For the first time since the reign of King Charles I, an equestrian portrait of the monarch was designed by sculptor Gilbert Ledward, in which Her Late Majesty is depicted riding side saddle on a prancing horse, a riding stock in her left hand and reins in her right. As Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier Guards, she is shown wearing the uniform of that office, complete with plumed cap.
The reverse design is by Edgar Fuller, and features four shields displaying the quartering of the Royal Arms disposed in a cross saltire pattern and centred on a crown. In the angles there are the floral emblems signifying the four countries of the United Kingdom; a thistle for Scotland, a rose for England, a shamrock for Ireland, and a leek for Wales, dividing the date 1953.
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Crown of 1977
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977, the first British jubilee commemorative coin in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II was released, and it has a number of distinctive features. Both designs, on the obverse and the reverse on this crown, are the work of Arnold Machin.
The obverse design continues a tradition in depicting an equestrian portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, as on the coronation crown of 1953. She is shown riding side-saddle as before, on the occasion of the Trooping of the Colour on Horse Guards Parade in that year. However, there are one or two minor differences that together make for a more pleasing portrait. The horse is shown broadside on and in greater detail.
The reverse features the Ampulla and Spoon which are used for the Anointing at the heart of the coronation ceremony. The ampulla and spoon are older than the other objects of the Regalia, being relics of the articles in use before the Commonwealth, during which the Regalia was destroyed. The inner circle is surrounded by a wide border on which is depicted, at the top, St Edward’s crown as used at the coronation. The rest of the border is taken up with curving branches bearing the leaves and fruit of the olive tree which spring left and right from one stem at the foot.
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee £5 Crown of 2002
As part of Queen Elizabeth II’s 50th anniversary of reign celebrations in 2002, a series of commemorative coins were released to mark the Golden Jubilee. Both sides were designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, also the designer of the fourth portrait of Her Late Majesty that appeared on Britain’s circulating coinage.
The British crown-sized £5 coin features an Equestrian Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, carrying on the tradition which had begun with the 1953 Coronation crown and then continued with the first jubilee crown of 1977. The legend includes the phrase AMOR POPULI PRAESIDIVM REG(INAE) which means “The love of the people is the Queen’s protection”.
The obverse features a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. This particular portrait was only used on this coin and it is the only coin ever to feature it. The portrait combines dignity with informality in the person of The Late Queen on the occasion of her 50th year of reign.
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee £5 Crown of 2022
Last year, we witnessed an event that has never happened before, in the entirety of British history. In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch ever to reach a Platinum Jubilee. To mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II, a new crown-sized British £5 coin was produced.
With both sides designed by John Bergdahl, the special commemorative version of this coin features an Equestrian Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, linking this coin with those of 1977 and 2002. A wonderful historical ‘cycle’, spanning Her Late Majesty’s Silver, Golden and Platinum Jubilees! On the reverse is the Queen’s arms, surrounded by a royal mantle, similar to the one she wore during her 1953 coronation.
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Anniversary Sovereign Range of 2023
In tribute to an exceptional queen, and the 70th Anniversary of her Coronation in June 2023, an exceptional commemorative gold sovereign series has been announced. There were no gold sovereigns issued for the 1953 coronation and instead, a special Equestrian Portrait of the queen adorned the Coronation Crown coin.
On the reverse, designed by Mike Guilfoyle, the Queen appears in a graceful and stately Equestrian Portrait where she is depicted on horseback and wearing uniform for the Trooping the Colour ceremony. This is a direct link with the very first commemorative coin of her reign.
The obverse of this coin, designed by Jody Clark, depicts King Charles III, and he faces the opposite direction to his mother, maintaining a tradition that dates back to the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 and the reign of our new king’s namesake – King Charles II.