Description
Queen Elizabeth II’s long life and reign, spanning over 70 years, symbolised stability and continuity during a period of immense global change. As the longest-reigning British monarch, she provided a steady presence through wars, political upheaval, social transformation, and technological advancement.
Her unwavering dedication to duty earned widespread respect both in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth. Through countless public engagements, state visits, and speeches, she served as a unifying figure who helped maintain national identity and tradition.
It is estimated that she had PERSONALLY met over 1 million people during her lifetime!
Her reign bridged generations, linking the past with the present, and her adaptability in later years—embracing modern media and evolving public expectations—demonstrated quiet but meaningful leadership.
Queen Elizabeth II’s lifetime commitment to public service, diplomacy, and national morale left a lasting legacy that shaped the monarchy’s role in contemporary society, reinforcing its relevance in an ever-changing world. Her influence will be felt long beyond her reign.
FOUR BRITISH ‘CROWNS’
During her lifetime, four of her ‘milestone’ birthdays were celebrated with the issue of commemorative design crown-sized British £5 coins: marking her milestone 70th, 80th, 90th and 95th birthdays (in 1996, 2006, 2016 and 2012 respectively).
All four of these coins are included in this set.
Coin 1 – THE 1926 STERLING SILVER HALFCROWN: THE YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S BIRTH with the obverse portrait of her Grandfather, King George V
In 1926, the year Her Majesty was born, the highest value silver coin in circulation in Britain was the halfcrown. No crown coins were minted in that year.
The coin features the Shield of the Royal Arms, crowned, with the date below. Around the shield is the belt of the Order of the Garter with its’ motto: HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE, a French phrase that translates to “Shame be to him who thinks evil of it”
The coin in this set will be Grade 6 on our ten-grade quality scale.
It’s worth remembering that this coin features the portrait of King George V on the obverse – Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather. He was king when she was born – and of course there were no commemorative coins for her birth because at that time no-one had any idea she would become Queen. She was the eldest child of Albert Edward but HE was second in line to the throne. It was only the SHOCK abdication of his elder brother – King Edward VIII – that made Albert the new King George VI – and therefore Elizabeth was now FIRST in line to the throne!
This coin is a symbol of a remarkable and UNPRECEDENTED time in British royal history.
 Coin 2 – QUEEN ELIZABETH II CROWN-SIZED SILVER FIVE POUND COIN OF 1996 FOR HER 70TH BIRTHDAY
This coin depicts a representation of Windsor Castle with five flag poles, two holding forked pennants with anniversary dates of 1926 and 1996, the other flags are Royal Arms, Union flag and the Queen’s personal flag. The design is by Avril Vaughan.
The obverse features the third coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II to appear on British coinage, designed by Raphael Maklouf. The edge is impressed with VIVAT REGINA ELIZABETHA. The coin in this set is the sterling silver Proof quality striking of this coin.
 Coin 3 – QUEEN ELIZABETH II CROWN-SIZED SILVER FIVE POUND COIN OF 2006 FOR HER 80TH BIRTHDAY
This coin depicts a fanfare of three trumpets with trumpet banners accompanied by the inscription 1926 VIVAT REGINA 2006. The design is by Danuta Soloweij
The obverse features the fourth coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II to appear on British coinage, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley. The edge is impressed with DUTY SERVICE FAITH. The coin in this set is the sterling silver Proof quality striking of this coin.
 Coin 4 – QUEEN ELIZABETH II CROWN-SIZED SILVER FIVE POUND COIN OF 2016 FOR HER 90TH BIRTHDAY
The design features the Queen’s royal cypher in the centre, the number ‘90’ and a garland of roses surrounding it. The design was by Christopher Hobbs and was approved by the Queen herself, inspired by her love of flowers. The obverse features the fifth coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II to appear on British coinage, designed by Jody Clark.
The edge is impressed with FULL OF HONOUR AND YEARS. The coin in this set is the sterling silver Proof quality striking of this coin.
 Coin 5 – QUEEN ELIZABETH II CROWN-SIZED SILVER FIVE POUND COIN OF 2021 FOR HER 95TH BIRTHDAY
The design features The Queen’s royal cypher surrounded by a floral garland, made up of the floral emblems of the four countries of the United Kingdom, with the legend MY HEART AND MY DEVOTION along with the year-dates 1926 and 2021. The design is by Timothy Noad.
The obverse features the fifth coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II to appear on British coinage, designed by Jody Clark. The edge is impressed with FULL OF HONOUR AND YEARS. The coin in this set is the sterling silver Proof quality striking of this coin.
