Description
Introduced in August 1526 during the reign of Henry VIII, the crown was a coin inspired by a gold coin of continental Europe – the French ‘ecu au soleil’, or ‘crown of the sun’. Initially known as the ‘crown of the rose’, the fineness of the coin’s gold was reduced to 22 carats and the design was also adjusted to feature a crowned double-rose that prompted the name, the ‘crown of the double-rose’.
Over the next 500 years, the crown endured as a mainstay of the British coinage, weathering recession and revival. It has featured some of the finest designs in numismatic history, such as William Wyon’s sublime Gothic Crown that was issued in 1847.
From 1935, the crown found a significant role as a commemorative coin after it was struck to celebrate George V’s Silver Jubilee. In the decades that followed, the coin marked many royal milestones, from Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne to the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. In recent years, the crown has retained its primary function as a commemorative piece, but one that is not restricted to solely celebrating important royal events. The large canvas of the modern crown has been used to pay tribute to culturally relevant and exciting themes, from music legends to cherished works of children’s literature. Now, The Royal Mint marks half a millenia since the crown’s introduction to Britain’s coinage.
- Celebrating 500 years of a regal coin
- Own a commemorative edition of the coin that is renowned for serving as a commemorative piece
- Features a special decorative border that includes five roses – one for each century – on the obverse
- Struck exclusively by the mint that issued the first crown piece in 1526
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