The British Virgin Islands Government have announced (18th April) the issue of a collector’s coin to celebrate the 85th birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II. The coin is struck by the Pobjoy Mint in the United Kingdom and is issued in conjunction with the Queen’s actual birthday, the 21st April. The Queen observes her official birthday on the second Sunday in June which is celebrated as part of the Trooping of the Colour ceremony.
The obverse includes two conjoined profiles of the Queen. The specially commissioned design depicts a rendition of the Mary Gillick portrait which was used on British & commonwealth circulation coinage from 1953. The second portrait is based on the Ian Rank-Broadley design used on British and commonwealth coinage from 1998.
The reverse of the coin borrows a depiction of the Queen on horseback, riding side-saddle as she had often done during the Trooping the Colour ceremony. This concept was used three times on British crown coinage during the year of her coronation and her silver and golden jubilee years. The coin has a denomination of ten dollars and is struck in proof quality.
There are two versions, an uncirculated cupro-nickel strike and in sterling silver, both with a weight of 28.2 grams and a diameter of 38.6 mm. The silver example is limited to 10,000 pieces.
For more information on this and other coins struck by the Pobjoy Mint, please visit their website at: www.pobjoy.com
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