Five pounds (British coin)

The British five pound (£5) coin is a commemorative denomination of the pound sterling. Its obverse has featured the profile of Queen Elizabeth II since the coin’s introduction in 1990. Two different portraits of the Queen have graced the coin, with the latest design by Ian Rank-Broadley being introduced in 1998. The coin has no standard reverse; instead it is altered each year to commemorate important events. Variant obverses have also been used on occasion.

This article is about the commemorative five pound coins issued in the United Kingdom since 1990. For the commemorative crowns issued between 1972 and 1981, see British twenty-five pence coin. For pre-decimal British crowns, see Crown (British coin).
Five pounds
United Kingdom
Value5 pounds sterling
Mass28.28 g
Diameter38.61 mm
Thickness2.89 mm
EdgeMilled, with an inscription
CompositionCupro-nickel
(75% Cu, 25% Ni)
Silver (.925 Sterling Silver)
Gold
Years of minting1990–present
Obverse
DesignQueen Elizabeth II
DesignerIan Rank-Broadley
Design date1998
Reverse
DesignNo standard reverse design; the design varies each year with the event being commemorated

The coin is a continuation of the crown, which after decimalisation became the commemorative twenty-five pence coin. The twenty-five pence was discontinued in 1981 after creating a large coin with such small value became prohibitively expensive. The five pound coin shares the same dimensions as the twenty-five pence coin, and the five shilling coin before it, but has a value twenty times greater.

Five pound coins are legal tender but are intended as souvenirs and are rarely seen in circulation.[1] The coins are sold by the Royal Mint at face value and also, with presentation folders, at a premium to that face value. The 2010 coins, with such folders, were sold for £9.95 each.[2] As of 2020 the coin and folder cost £13.

Separate five pound coin designs have also been released in various British crown dependencies and British Overseas Territories. These are outside of the scope of this article and are not listed below.

Design

The designs which have appeared on the five pound coin's reverse are summarised in the table below.

Number Year ImageEventDesign[3]Edge InscriptionDesigner Mintage
1 1990 The Queen Mother's 90th Birthday A cypher in the letter E in duplicate, above a royal crown flanked by a rose and a thistle all within the inscription QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER and the dates 1900–1990 – Leslie Durbin 2,761,431
2 1993 The Queen's Coronation 40th Anniversary St Edward's Crown encircled by forty trumpets all within the inscription FAITH AND TRUTH I WILL BEAR UNTO YOU and the anniversary dates 1953–1993 – Robert Elderton 1,834,655
3 1996 The Queen's 70th Birthday 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 Our Personal flag – Avril Vaughan 2,396,100
4 1997 Golden Wedding Anniversary of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh A pair of Shields, chevronwise, on the left, Shield of Our Royal Arms, on the right, Shield of Prince Philip, above a Royal Crown and the date 20 NOVEMBER, below an anchor cabled and FIVE POUNDS – Leslie Durbin 1,733,000
5 1998 Prince Charles' 50th Birthday A portrait of Prince Charles and in the background words relating to the work of The Prince's Trust. A circumscription of FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY OF HRH PRINCE OF WALES and below FIVE POUNDS flanked by anniversary dates of 1948 and 1998 – Michael Noakes/Robert Elderton 1,407,300
6 1999 Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Crown A portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales with the dates 1961 and 1997, circumscription IN MEMORY OF DIANA PRINCESS OF WALES and the value FIVE POUNDS – David Cornell 5,396,300
7 1999 Millennium Crown A representation of a dial of a clock, hands set at 12 o'clock with a map of the British Isles and the dates 1999 and 2000 and the words ANNO DOMINI and the value FIVE POUNDS WHAT'S PAST IS PROLOGUE Jeffrey Matthews 5,396,300
8 2000 Millennium Crown A representation of a dial of a clock, hands set at 12 o'clock with a map of the British Isles and the dates 1999 and 2000 and the words ANNO DOMINI and the value FIVE POUNDS WHAT'S PAST IS PROLOGUE Jeffrey Matthews 3,147,092
9 2000 The Queen Mother's 100th Birthday A portrait of the Queen Mother,flanked by groups of people with the circumscription QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER, the anniversary dates 1900–2000. Below the portrait a representation of her signature. – Ian Rank-Broadley 3,147,092
10 2001 Death of Queen Victoria 100th Anniversary A representation of Crystal Palace within the value FIVE POUNDS, stylised railway lines in the shape of a V incorporating a portrait of Queen Victoria, remnant of the words ONE PENNY and anniversary dates of 1901 and 2001 – Mary Milner-Dickens 851,491
11 2002 Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II A portrait of the Queen with the value FIVE POUNDS below – Ian Rank-Broadley 3,469,243
12 2002 Queen Mother Memorial Crown A portrait of the Queen Mother encircled by a wreath and with the circumscription QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER and the dates 1900–2002 STRENGTH DIGNITY LAUGHTER Avril Vaughan 3,469,243
13 2003 The Queen's Coronation 50th Anniversary GOD SAVE THE QUEEN in the centre surrounded by the words CORONATION JUBILEE FIVE POUNDS and the anniversary date 2003 – Tom Phillips 1,307,147
14 2004 Entente Cordiale between Great Britain and France 100th Anniversary Combined figures of Britannia and Marianne, with the words ENTENTE CORDIALE and the anniversary dates 1904 and 2004 – David Gentleman 1,205,594
15 2005 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar Design features HMS Victory & Termeraire in battle surrounded by inscription TRAFALGAR and the dates 1805 & 2005 – Clive Duncan 1,075,516
16 2005 200th Anniversary of the death of Horatio Nelson A portrait of Horatio Nelson and the dates 1805 & 2005 ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERYMAN TO DO HIS DUTY James Butler 1,075,516
17 2006 The Queen's 80th Birthday Three trumpets with trumpet banners accompanied by the inscription 1926 VIVAT REGINA 2006 DUTY SERVICE FAITH Danuta Solowiej-Wedderburn 52,267
18 2007 Diamond Wedding Anniversary of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh The rose window of Westminster Abbey accompanied by the inscription TVEATVR VNITA DEVS, the dates 1947 and 2007, and the denomination FIVE POUNDS MY STRENGTH AND STAY Emma Noble 30,561
19 2008 450th Anniversary of the Accession of Queen Elizabeth I A portrait of Queen Elizabeth I crowned and set within a mandorla. A rose has been placed at each connecting point while the two side arches each contain a leaf pattern reminiscent of the carvings made by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. The year of her accession and the year of the anniversary are both shown in Roman numerals. I HAVE REIGNED WITH YOUR LOVES Rod Kelly 20,047
20 2008 Prince Charles' 60th Birthday A portrait of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY Ian Rank-Broadley 14,088
21 2009 500th Anniversary of the Accession of Henry VIII – – John Bergdahl 67,119
22 2009 Countdown to 2012: 3 Two swimmers, and countdown number '3'. The words COUNTDOWN above and XXX OLYMPIAD below; the London 2012 logo on the left, the date 2009 on the right. – Claire Aldridge 184,921
23 2010 350th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Monarchy – – David Cornell 30,247
24 2010 Countdown to 2012: 2 Two runners, and countdown number '2'. The words COUNTDOWN above and XXX OLYMPIAD below; the London 2012 logo on the left, the date 2010 below the image. – Claire Aldridge 153,080
25 2011 Royal Wedding: Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton – – Mark Richards 250,000
26 2011 90th Birthday of the Duke of Edinburgh – – Mark Richards 18,730
27 2011 Countdown to 2012: 1 Cyclist, and countdown number '1'. The words COUNTDOWN above and XXX OLYMPIAD below; the London 2012 logo on the right, the date 2011 on the left. – Claire Aldridge 52,261
28 2012 Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II – – Ian Rank-Broadley 484,775
29 2012 Countdown to 2012 Three medallists on a podium. The words COUNTDOWN above and XXX OLYMPIAD below; the London 2012 logo on the right, the date 2012 above the image. – Claire Aldridge 52,261
30 2012 Olympic Games Featured an engraving of the LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman on the back. – Saiman Miah 315,983
31 2012 Paralympic Games – Pippa Sanderson 55,524
32 2013 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (60th Anniversary) – Emma Noble 57,262
33 2013 Birth of Prince George 7,460
34 2013 Christening of Prince George - - 56,014
35 2014 Death of Queen Anne (300th Anniversary) – Mark Richards 12,181
36 2014 Prince George's First Birthday 7,500
37 2015 Death of Winston Churchill (50th Anniversary) - Mark Richards 18,161
38 2015 Battle of Waterloo (200th Anniversary) - David Lawrence 24,554
39 2015 Birth of Princess Charlotte - John Bergdahl
40 2015 Christening of Princess Charlotte
41 2015 Second Birthday of Prince George
42 2015 Longest Reigning Monarch James Butler
43 2016 90th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II - Christopher Hobbs
44 2017 House of Windsor (100th Anniversary) - Timothy Noad
45 2017 Coronation of King Canute (1000th Anniversary) - Lee R. Jones
46 2017 Sapphire Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II - Glyn Davies
47 2017 Prince Philip: Celebrating a Life of Service - Humphrey Paget
48 2017 Remembrance Day - Stephen Taylor
49 2017 Platinum Wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip - John Bergdahl
50 2017 Christmas - Edina Ellis
51 2017 The Queen's Beasts I: The Lion of England - Jody Clark
52 2017 The Queen's Beasts II: The Unicorn of Scotland - Jody Clark
53 2018 The Queen's Beasts III: The Red Dragon of Wales - Jody Clark
54 2018 5th Birthday of Prince George - Jody Clark
55 2018 Four Generations of Royalty - Timothy Noad
56 2018 Royal Academy of Arts
57 2018 The Queen's Beasts IV: The Black Bull of Clarence - Jody Clark
58 2018 Royal Wedding: Prince Henry and Ms Meghan Markle - Jody Clark
59 2018 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (65th Anniversary) – Stephen Taylor
60 2018 The Queen's Beasts I: The Lion of England As 2017 version; reissued dated 2018 for the World Cup. - Jody Clark
61 2018 Remembrance Day
62 2018 Prince Charles' 70th Birthday Robert Elderton
63 2018 The Nutcracker Harry Brockway
64 2019 The Queen's Beasts V: The Falcon of the Plantagenets Jody Clark
65 2019 Legend of the Ravens (Tower of London) Jody Clark
66 2019 The Queen's Beasts VI: The Yale of Beaufort Jody Clark
67 2019 The Crown Jewels (Tower of London)[4] Glyn Davies
68 2019 Queen Victoria John Bergdahl
69 2019 The Yeoman Wardens (Tower of London)[5] Glyn Davies
70 2019 The Lion of England - Cricket World Cup[6] Jody Clark
71 2019 Ceremony of Keys (Tower of London)[7] Glyn Davies
72 2020 Lunar Year of the Rat[8] P.J. Lynch
73 2019 Remembrance Day[9] Harry Brockway
74 2019 The Queen's Beasts: The White Lion of Mortimer Jody Clark
75 2019 The Queen's Beasts: The White Greyhound of Richmond
76 2019 The Queen's Beasts: The White Horse of Hanover
77 2019 The Queen's Beasts: The Griffin of Edward III
78 2020 George III[10] incorporates an effigy of the king in the centre alongside the King’s Observatory and Windsor Castle around the outside – Dominique Evans unlimited, 2,500 (silver pf), 550 (silver), 250 (gold)
79 2020 Music Legends: Queen[11] features the band's logo QUEEN and instruments played by the members: Bechstein grand piano played by Freddie Mercury for "Bohemian Rhapsody", May's "Red Special" guitar, Roger Taylor's Ludwig bass drum with an early-day Queen crest and John Deacon's Fender Precision Bass.[12] – Chris Facey unlimited and 75,000 limited editions
80 2020 James Bond[13]
81 2020 William Wordsworth [14]
82 2020 The Tower of London (White Tower)[15]

Coin Sets

Additionally, the Royal Mint have released a number of five pound coin sets in silver proof quality.

2012 Olympics Set

A series of 18 commemorative £5 coins were issued to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics.[16]

  1. Mind Stonehenge[17]
  2. Mind Big Ben [18]
  3. Mind Angel of the North[19]
  4. Mind Flying Scotsman[20]
  5. Mind The Globe Theatre[21]
  6. Mind Sir Isaac Newton[22]
  7. Body Giant's Causeway[23]
  8. Body The Great British Oak[24]
  9. Body River Thames[25]
  10. Body Weather[26]
  11. Body British Fauna[27]
  12. Body The Coastline of Britain[28]
  13. Spirit Courage[29]
  14. Spirit Pageantry [30]
  15. Spirit Unity[31]
  16. Spirit Music[32]
  17. Spirit Humour[33]
  18. Spirit Tolerance[34]

Queen's Portrait Set

Four proof coins were released as part of the 2013 Queen's Portrait set. These coins feature the four portraits of Elizabeth II that appear on British coins.[35]

The Portrait of Britain Set

Sixteen silver proof coins have been released as part of the 'Portrait of Britain' set.[36]

  • 2015 Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower)
  • 2015 Tower Bridge
  • 2015 Trafalgar Square
  • 2015 Buckingham Palace
  • 2016 White Cliffs of Dover
  • 2016 Giant's Causeway
  • 2016 Lake District
  • 2016 Snowdonia
  • 2017 Westminster Abbey
  • 2017 Hampton Court Palace
  • 2017 Downing Street
  • 2017 Edinburgh Castle
  • 2018 Blackpool
  • 2018 Brighton
  • 2018 Tenby
  • 2018 Southwold

The First World War Set

A series of silver proof coins have been released as part of the 'First World War' set. 36 coins were released as part of this series.[37]

  • 2014 - British Expeditionary Force[38]
  • 2014 - Royal Navy Coin[39]
  • 2014 - Home Front Coin[40]
  • 2014 - Walter Tull [41]
  • 2014 - Propaganda[42]
  • 2014 - Howitzer Gun[43]
  • 2015 - Albert Ball VC
  • 2015 - Animals at War
  • 2015 - Submarines
  • 2015 - Edith Cavell
  • 2015 - Merchant Navy
  • 2015 - Gallipoli
  • 2016 - Poetry and Language
  • 2016 - The Somme
  • 2016 - Jutland
  • 2016 - Jack Cornell VC
  • 2016 - The Army
  • 2016 - Dreadnought
  • 2017 - Noel Godfrey Chavasse VC
  • 2017 - The dedication of the medical services
  • 2017 - The cultural importance of the war artist
  • 2017 - The Sopwith Camel
  • 2017 - Gas warfare
  • 2017 - The Battle of Arras
  • 2018 - TE Lawrence
  • 2018 - Ypres
  • 2018 - Tanks
  • 2018 - Royal Air force
  • 2018 - Women in factories
  • 2018 - Widows left behind
  • 2018 - Remembrance Day
  • 2018 - War Memorials
  • 2018 - Poppies
  • 2018 - Imperial War Museums
  • 2018 - Commonwealth War Graves
  • 2018 - Peace

Criticism

The number of commemorative £5 coins has been criticised in some quarters. Christopher Henry Perkins characterises the coins as being released at an "alarming rate". Perkins notes that "during the entire 100 year period 1900-1999 there were twenty-seven crowns issued. In 2017 alone, there were 19!"[44]

References
  1. "United Kingdom £5 Coin (Commemorative Crown)". Archived from the original on 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
  2. 2008 Prince Charles £5 Presentation Folder, Royal Mint
  3. Five Pound Coin Designs and Specifications, Royal Mint
  4. "Five Pound Coin Designs and Specifications | The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  5. "Five Pound Coin Designs and Specifications | The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  6. "Five Pound Coin Designs and Specifications | The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  7. "Five Pound Coin Designs and Specifications | The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  8. "Five Pound Coin Designs and Specifications | The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  9. "Five Pound Coin Designs and Specifications | The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  10. "Five Pound Coin Designs and Specifications | The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  11. "Five Pound Coin Designs and Specifications | The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  12. "UK issues commemorative coin celebrating rock band Queen". 17 January 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  13. https://www.changechecker.org/coin/333/5pound-2020-James-Bond-5.aspx
  14. https://www.changechecker.org/coin/334/5pound-William-Wordsworth.aspx
  15. https://www.changechecker.org/coin/335/5pound-Tower-of-London-White-Tower.aspx
  16. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  17. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  18. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  19. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  20. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  21. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  22. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  23. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  24. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  25. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  26. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  27. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  28. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  29. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  30. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  31. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  32. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  33. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  34. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/coin-design-and-specifications/london-2012-coins/
  35. https://world.mintnewsblog.com/2013/02/coins-and-sets-for-the-60th-anniversary-of-the-queens-coronation/
  36. https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/portrait-of-britain
  37. https://world.mintnewsblog.com/2014/06/uk-2014-first-world-war-outbreak-silver-proof-6-coin-set/
  38. https://world.mintnewsblog.com/2014/06/uk-2014-first-world-war-outbreak-silver-proof-6-coin-set/
  39. https://world.mintnewsblog.com/2014/06/uk-2014-first-world-war-outbreak-silver-proof-6-coin-set/
  40. https://world.mintnewsblog.com/2014/06/uk-2014-first-world-war-outbreak-silver-proof-6-coin-set/
  41. https://world.mintnewsblog.com/2014/06/uk-2014-first-world-war-outbreak-silver-proof-6-coin-set/
  42. https://world.mintnewsblog.com/2014/06/uk-2014-first-world-war-outbreak-silver-proof-6-coin-set/
  43. https://world.mintnewsblog.com/2014/06/uk-2014-first-world-war-outbreak-silver-proof-6-coin-set/
  44. Perkins, Christopher Henry (2019) Collectors' Coins - Decimal Issues of the United Kingdom 1968-2019, Coin Publications; 6th Revised edition, p 107
Preceded by
Twenty Five Pence		 Crown-sized British coin
1990–Present		 Succeeded by
Current


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