Irish artist and illustrator Patrick James Lynch has designed 'rare' limited edition coins as part of a Royal Mint 'The Queen's Reign' collection.
Originally released as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the collection honours aspects of the longest reign in British history, and will now mark her death too. Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8 in Balmoral, with her funeral taking place today, Monday September 19.
The Royal Mint unveiled a special three coin collection which features The Queen's signature, a first for UK coinage. The collection celebrates the Queen's 70 year reign with three different uncirculated £5 coins.
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The first coin in the collection focuses on Her Majesty’s awards and honours, which is a system that recognises individual service in many forms. The second coin highlights Her Majesty’s work with charities and as a patron, whilst the third and final coin celebrates the Commonwealth, a ‘family of nations’ she has championed throughout her reign. Each coin is priced at £13. More details on each coin can be found below as seen on the Royal Mint website.
The Queen's Reign Honours and Investitures 2022 UK £5 Uncirculated Coin
- Celebrates Her Majesty The Queen’s 70-year reign with a lasting memento of the Platinum Jubilee
- The first UK coin to feature The Queen’s signature in detail
- Features an original reverse design by the artist and illustrator P. J. Lynch
- The inscription on the coin’s reverse reads ‘THE BESTOWING OF HER HONOURS’
- Struck to a finer finish than circulating coins
- The coin’s packaging explores Her Majesty’s role in recognising ordinary people who make an extraordinary contribution
Find out more here.
The Queen's Reign Charity and Patronage 2022 UK £5 Uncirculated Coin
- Pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen with a lasting memento of the Platinum Jubilee
- The first UK coin collection to feature The Queen’s signature in a detail that you’ll find on all three reverse designs
- Features an original reverse design by the artist and illustrator P. J. Lynch that shows the traditional Maundy coins
- The inscription on the coin’s reverse reads ‘HER CHARITY AND HER PATRONAGE’
- Struck to a finer finish than circulating coins
- The coin’s packaging explores Her Majesty’s lifetime dedication to charitable work
Find out more here.
The Queen's Reign The Commonwealth 2022 Uncirculated Coin
- A lasting memento of the Platinum Jubilee and a tribute to Her Majesty The Queen’s 70-year reign
- The first UK coin collection to feature The Queen’s signature in a detail that you’ll find on all three designs in the collection
- Features an original, flag-themed reverse design by the artist and illustrator P. J. Lynch that symbolises the countries of the Commonwealth
- The inscription on the coin’s reverse reads ‘HER COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS’
- The coin’s packaging explores how Her Majesty has served the 2.5 billion people and 54 countries of the Commonwealth
Find out more here.
The three coins are also available in a 'Silver Proof Collection' priced at £95.50 per coin, but there are currently none available to purchase. The 'Silver Proof Piedfort Collection' is priced at £172.50 each, and is also no longer available.
There is one coin left in the 'Gold Proof Collection' priced at a whopping £2,865 and is the Queen's Reign Honours and Investitures coin. Currently, there are also no coins available in the 1/4oz Gold Proof Collection priced at £700 each.
Talking about the collection, P. J. Lynch said: “When creating this series, I initially focused on The Queen’s hands; she is so often shaking hands, it is how she welcomes and communicates with the people she meets. It led me to consider her signature, which is so symbolic, an instrument of state when she signs official documents, but also her personal promise and commitment.”
Browse the full collection here.
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