2008 Gold £5 Proof Crown
The Prince Charles' 60th Birthday
2008 will be the sixtieth birthday of Prince Charles. It has been announced that a crown, nowadays with a face value of five pounds will be designed and released to celebrate this occasion.Multiple Versions
Following the precedent followed in recent years, we expect there to be multiple versions of this coin. We expect these to include a base metal version in cupro-nickel which should be available at banks and post offices, a specimen version in folder, a proof version issued with proof coin sets, a silver proof, and a gold proof version. There may also be other variations, such as piedforts, or even a platinum issue.We hope nobody decides to market any collector coins incorporating a diamond, which we would consider to be the height of tackyness.
According to the Royal Mint:
The gold Proof £5 coin features a magnificent portrait of the Prince of Wales on the reverse and the Queen's effigy on the obverse, both by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS. Displayed in a beautiful walnut-veneer case, the gold coin is accompanied by an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity, attesting to its low mintage of 1,500.Following a number of private sittings and working from specially commissioned photographs the artist, Ian Rank-Broadley, was able to present the final result that has been approved by both the Prince and the Queen. The inscription surrounding the portrait includes the words ICH DIEN, which means 'I serve' and is taken from the badge of the Prince of Wales. The celebratory year dates of 1948 and 2008 also appear, together with his royal title THE PRINCE OF WALES. The edge inscription reads SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY and appears with the Prince of Wales's feathers.
Background & History
Prince Charles Philip Arthur George was born at Buckingham Palace on 14 November 1948, the first son of the Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. He became heir apparent on the accession of the Queen in 1952, but the title Prince of Wales does not come automatically. As the reigning monarch, his mother bestowed the title upon her son when he was nine years old, but he was almost 21 before his Investiture took place at Caernarfon Castle in 1969.The Prince of Wales is President of 19 charitable organisations called The Prince's Charities, which is the largest multi-cause charitable enterprise in the United Kingdom. These organisations are active across a broad range of areas, including opportunity and enterprise, education, health, the built environment, responsible business, the natural environment and the arts. Perhaps the most well known of the charities is The Prince's Trust, which he personally set up in 1976 with the goal of helping young people fulfil their potential. He takes an active interest in the work of The Trust, which was appropriately honoured on his 50th birthday crown in 1998.
The Royal Mint is striking a new commemorative £5 coin with a specially designed reverse celebrating the 60th birthday of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. The crown-sized coin bears a portrait of the Prince and is struck in 22 carat gold to Proof quality.
* Join the nation in celebrating this royal birthday with a limited-edition gold coin
* Be assured that the coin will be produced to strict specifications
* Display your gold coin in a luxury walnut-veneer presentation case
* Be one of only 1,500 collectors worldwide to own the official Prince of Wales 60th Birthday coin.
As a gift...
The Prince of Wales 60th Birthday £5 Gold Proof Coin is ideal to give for birthdays, anniversaries or special occasions in 2008 as a memento of this royal birthday.
Crowns & Gold Five Pounds
There is a historical difference between gold crowns and gold five pound coins. Crowns were originally five shillings pieces worth a quarter of a pound, and five pound coins were, as their name tells, worth five pounds face value. The first British crowns were gold coins issued in 1544, and the first silver crowns were issued in 1551. It was not until 1990 that the Royal Mint re-tariffed the crown, which was by then a silvery coloured cupro-nickel coin, from five shillings to five pounds.Designs
Obverse:
A portrait of the Queen facing right, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley.ELIZABETH II D G REG F D
FIVE POUNDS
Reverse:
Portrait of Prince Charles facing right.The legends read:
THE PRINCE OF WALES
1948 ICH DIEN 2008
Prices
With Signed Certificate by Ian Rank-Broadley
We found a small quantity of coins with signed certificates by the sculpter, Ian Rank-Broadley. He is arguably most well-known for his portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which has been on the obverse of British and Commonwealth coins since 1998.
2008 Gold Proof Crown - 450th Anniversary of the Accession of Queen Elizabeth I
Please check our Standard Terms for Bullion Coins.You may wish to use our order form.
Postage & Packing
UK: At Buyer's Risk £3.50 per orderUK: Fully Insured £9 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail at Buyer's Risk $10 US, or...
USA Insured Shipping $20 US
Canada Airmail at Buyer's Risk $15 Can, or...
Canada Insured Shipping via Fedex $40 Can
Obverse of 2008 Gold Proof Five Pounds Prince Charles 60th Birthday Crown
Other £5 Gold Pieces
Reverse of 2008 Proof Five Pounds Gold Prince Charles 60th Birthday Crown
2008 Gold Proof Five Pounds Prince Charles 60th Birthday Crown in Presentation Box
Other £5 Gold Pieces
Obverse of 2008 Proof Five Pounds Gold Prince Charles' 60th Birthday Crown Certificate
Reverse of 2008 Proof Five Pounds Gold Prince Charles' 60th Birthday Crown Certificate
2011 Prince Philip's 90th Birthday Five Pound Crown with Signed Certificate by Ian Rank-Broadley
Prince Charles' 60th Birthday Crown Certificate signed by Ian Rank-Broadley
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