The Royal Mint have launched (11th May) both gold and silver coins with a weight of five ounces which celebrate the 60th year of reign or Diamond Jubilee of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II who ascended the British throne in 1952. These are the first and only coins of this weight to mark this auspicious occasion.
The coins include the commemorative obverse commissioned for the official £5 crown also issued in gold, silver and cupro-nickel. Designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, the Queen is depicted in the robes of the order of the Garter and wearing Queen Mary’s tiara (wife of King George V) given to the Queen for her wedding. Inspired by the Royal Great seal of the Queen, the reverse of the coin, also designed By Ian Rank-Broadley is exceptional as it shows the Queen on a classically-designed throne complete with wreaths of olive branches positioned above the Queens head. An inscription in Latin is placed around the primary design on either side which reads “DILECTA REGNO MCMLII – MMXII” translating into “I reign beloved 1952 – 2012”.
Specifications for both the gold and silver coins include a pure gold or silver alloy (.999 fine) of five ounces (156.2 grams) and struck to proof quality. Both coins have a diameter of 65 mm and the face value of Ten Pounds. The mintage is also symbolic of the occasion as the silver coin is set at 1,952 pieces, the year of the Queen’s accession, with the gold coin authorized at only 250 pieces. A custom presentation box and specially commissioned book along with the Royal Mint’s certificate of authenticity completes this product.
For more information on this and other coins offered by the Royal Mint, please visit their website at: http://www.royalmint.com/shop/u/ukdj5ozs?tab=detail#productdetails
I our opinion, these are too expensive, and the Royal Mint is abusing it monopoly as the only produced of UK coins, and abusing the public’s trust in the Royal Mint.
Any collectors who are patient enough to wait, can probably buy these coins next year at about the the current official retail prices.
Taking into consideration that Chard’s are offering the Perth Mint’s own version of this type of coin exclusively as it seems – a one kilo golden jubilee silver coin at almost £1000, I see no difference between the coins you sell and are criticizing for being priced too high from the Royal Mint. Given the choice of the Perth Mint’s Australian kilo coin and the Royal Mint’s five ounce coin or the Olympic kilo coin, I’d rather have the Royal Mint’s version for the beauty of the design if for no other reason and the fact that British coins have a wider appeal and collectability.