The History of Crowned Coinage Portraits

Posted on by Vanessa Brockwell

Crowned Coinage Portraits

It has been 11 months since Charles III became King of the United Kingdom, following the sad death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. This is a huge change for the British public, and new coinage featuring King Charles III is now trickling through into circulation.

If you have noticed that The King’s circulating coinage doesn’t feature him wearing a crown and wondered the reason for this, especially when the late Queen Elizabeth II wore a crown on her circulating coinage portraits, then you have come to the right place! Here is everything you need to know about the history of crowned coinage portraits…

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The Equestrian Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II

Posted on by Vanessa Brockwell

Queen Elizabeth II Equestrian

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…

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What is Holyrood Week?

Posted on by Vanessa Brockwell

Holyrood Week, also known as Royal Week, takes place annually when the reigning British monarchs visits Scotland for around a week and resides at the Palace of Holyrood House. Holyrood Week usually takes place around the end of June and beginning of July, and this year it takes place from Monday 3rd July 2023.

Here is everything you need to know about Holyrood Week and what events will take place this year…

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A guide to the 1953 Coronation British coins

Posted on by Vanessa Brockwell

A guide to the 1953 Coronation British coins

Although Elizabeth II became Queen on 6th February 1952, following the sad passing of her father, King George VI, she was not formally invested until her coronation on the 2nd June 1953.

As a result, the Royal Mint had almost 18 months to prepare coinage for the new monarch, a process which involves utilising years of royal tradition. Here, we will be exploring the complete collection of 1953 Queen Elizabeth II coronation coins…

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