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90th anniversary of the birth of Prince Philip
Fourth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, legend around.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA REGINA·FID·DEF
IRB
Unabridged legend: Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensatrix
Translation: Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God Queen Defender of the Faith
Engraver: Ian Rank-Broadley
Portrait of HRH Prince Philip right, legend around.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
PRINCE PHILIP · 90TH BIRTHDAY · FIVE POUNDS · 2011
MR
Engraver: Mark Richards
| Composition | Silver (.925) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 56.56 g |
| Diameter | 38.61 mm |
Piedfort comes from the French pied-fort or Piefort which translates to heavy weight. It is used to describe a specially issued coin, which is thicker and heavier than the usual specifications. Piedfort coins are usually struck using the same dies as the standard coins. The diameter remains the same but they are greater thickness and weight of the standard precious metal coin, usually double. |
60th anniversary of wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
Conjoined portraits of HM The Queen and HRH Philip, Duke of Edinburgh right, legend around.
Lettering: ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRA·REG·F·D·PHILIP·PRINCEPS
Unabridged legend: Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensatrix Philip Princeps
Translation: Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God Queen Defender of the Faith Prince Philip
The Rose window of Westminster Abbey with legend above, dates and denomination below.
Lettering:
TVEATVER VNITA DEVS
* 1947 * FIVE POUNDS * 2007 *
e.n.
Translation: May God guard these united
Engraver: Emma Noble
Plain with incuse lettering
Lettering: MY STRENGTH AND STAY
Proof coins are struck using hand-finished dies. This means an expert will etch into the
metal die to produce a mirror image imprint, ready for a machine to stamp a blank coin
disc. The decision to hand-finish the dies means that there will be no imperfections
before a coin is produced.
The process for production sees a high-quality proof blank placed into a coin press. This
is done by hand. The coin is then struck six times, at the lowest speed and lowest pressure
of the three coin types. This avoids any blemishes, but for additional peace of mind the
operator will also clean the dies before and after usage with air, cleaning off any dust or
other particles.
This meticulous process means that it takes an hour to strike 50 proof coins – a stark
contrast with the 3,000 per hour rate for bullion silver coins – and the coin design dies
are sharpened and polished after every few hundred strikes.
The Royal Mint will only issue a small mintage of proof coins of each
type per year