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Currency

New Coin Info - February 2023

Author: Connor Campbell - Bullion & Economics Editor

Published: 21 Feb 2023

Last Updated: 27 Mar 2023

Synopsis

The Privy Council has announced new gold and silver coins to celebrate the British Monarchs, a new Great Engravers coin based on the 1663 Petition Crown by Thomas Simon, and a new Britannia coin collection. James Bond coins have also been authorised, while new silver Maundy coins will feature King Charles III.

Royal Mint King Charles I British Monarch Coin

The British Monarchs gold and silver coin series celebrates some of the greatest monarchs in British history. To read more about British Monarchs read our Kings and Queens of England Blog.

It is important to note that King Charles III will now be featured on the obverse for the next release, and we predict that this will continue for all future releases from the Royal Mint.

King Charles I

Legacy of King Charles I

King Charles I was the second son of King James I and reigned over England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1625 to 1649. Charles believed in the divine right of kings and attempted to govern without the consent of Parliament. His policies, including his efforts to impose Anglican religious practices on Scotland, led to opposition and resentment. His refusal to acknowledge Parliament's authority provoked a constitutional crisis and, ultimately, an armed conflict. After his defeat in the Civil War, he was put on trial and convicted of high treason.

The reverse of these coins feature the following:

  • Shows a depiction of an equestrian portrait of Charles I with the inscription “CAROLVS · DG · MAGN · BRITAN · FRAN · ET · HIBER · REX ·”.

The specification of these King Charles I coins are:

Denomination Metal Diameter Weight Fineness Actual Metal Weight (Troy oz)
£500 Gold 50 mm 156.295 g 999.9 5 oz
£200 Gold 40 mm 62.42 g 999.9 2 oz
£100 Gold 32.69 mm 31.21 g 999.9 1 oz
£10 (Piedfort) Silver 65 mm 312.59 g 999 10 oz
£10 Silver 65 mm 156.295 g 999 5 oz
£5 Silver 40 mm 62.86 g 999 2 oz
£2 Silver 38.61 mm 31.21 g 999 1 oz
£5 Cupro-Nickel 38.61 mm 28.28 g N/A N/A

Could the 1663 Petition Crown Be the Next Coin in the Great Engravers Series?

What is the 1663 Petition Crown design?

The 1663 Petition Crown is an unparalleled masterpiece of historical significance and breath-taking beauty. Designed by the illustrious Thomas Simon, the renowned master engraver of the 17th century, this coin is a rare and highly coveted piece of artistry.

Simon's unparalleled mastery of engraving is immediately evident on the obverse of the coin, where he expertly rendered the likeness of Charles II, the king of England at the time. The intricate details and flawless execution of this portrait are nothing short of astounding, making it a true testament to Simon's unparalleled skill.

The reverse of the coin is equally impressive, featuring a wreath of oak leaves and acorns surrounding a shield of arms, and the Latin inscription "Exurgat Deus Dissipentur Inimici," which translates to "Let God arise, and His enemies be scattered." This stunning design is not only visually appealing, but it also serves as a powerful symbol of England's strength and power during this period.

What is the Great Engravers Series?

The Great Engravers Series is a collection of commemorative coins issued by the Royal Mint in the United Kingdom. Each coin in the series features the portrait designed by a renowned engraver who made a significant contribution to the minting industry. The series is intended to celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship of these individuals and to showcase the rich history of the Royal Mint.

The coins are minted using a combination of traditional and modern techniques, including hand engraving and digital design, and are struck in high-quality precious metals. Those who are interested in exploring our full range of Great Engravers coinage are encouraged to visit our website page!

Who was Thomas Simon?

Thomas Simon was an English engraver of the 17th century, who was well-known for his exceptional skill and attention to detail. He produced numerous coins and medals for the Royal Mint, showcasing his talent for intricate engraving.

Among his most significant works were his striking portraits of King Charles II, which are highly valued by collectors to this day. Simon's engravings were admired for their realistic portrayal and precision, making him a highly sought-after artist by both the monarchy and private clients. His contribution to the art of engraving had a lasting impact on the minting industry, and his legacy continues to be celebrated and remembered today.

King Charles II 

Legacy of King Charles II

King Charles II was the eldest surviving son of King Charles I and was born in 1630. He was exiled to France after his father's execution during the English Civil War in 1649. Upon the collapse of the Commonwealth government, Charles II was restored to the English throne in 1660. His reign was characterised by a focus on art, theatre, and pleasure, leading to the rise of the Restoration era. Though he had several mistresses, he did not have a legitimate heir, ultimately resulting in the succession of his brother James II.

The possible variations for the reverse of these coins are as follows:

  • A depiction of Charles II accompanied by the inscription “CAROLVS II · DEI · GRA”;
  • A depiction of the four quarterings of the Royal Arms from the reign of Charles II accompanied by the inscription “1663 · MAG BRI · FR ET · HIB REX ·”.

The specification of these King Charles II coins are:

Denomination Metal Diameter Weight Fineness Actual Metal Weight (Troy oz)
£500 Gold  175 mm  5015 g 999 161 oz
£1000 Gold  100 mm  1005 g 999 32 oz
£500  Gold  50.60 mm  156.295 g 999 5 oz
£200 Silver  40.6 mm  62.42 g 999.9 2 oz
£10 (Piedfort) Silver 65.6 mm 312.59 g 999 10 oz
£10  Silver 65.6 mm   156.295 g 999 5 oz
£5 Silver 40.6 mm   62.86 g 999 2 oz

King Charles III 2023 Proof Britannia Coin Series?

These gold, silver, and platinum coins are part of a new Britannia coin collection, which we have reason to believe are the proof series intended for the highly anticipated 2023 Britannia coins that feature King Charles III.

The reverse of these coins feature the following:

  • A depiction of the figure of Britannia, who is seen driving a chariot pulled by seahorses.
  • The inscription "BRITANNIA · 'WEIGHT' 999.9 FINE GOLD" along with the date of the year is also featured.

The specification of these King Charles III Britannia coins are:

Denomination Metal Diameter Weight Fineness Actual Metal Weight (Troy oz)
£500 Gold 50 mm 156.3 g 999.9 5 oz
£200 Gold 40 mm 62.42 g 999.9 2 oz
£100 Gold 32.69 mm 31.21 g 999.9 1 oz
£50 Gold 27 mm 15.6 g 999.9 0.5 oz
£25 Gold 22 mm 7.8 g 999.9 0.25 oz
£10 Gold 16.5 mm 3.13 g 999.9 0.1 oz
£1 Gold 12 mm 1.58 g 999.9 0.05 oz
£0.50 Gold 8 mm 0.8 g 999.9 0.025 oz
£10 Silver 65 mm 156.3 g  999 5 oz
£5 Silver 40 mm 62.86 g 999 2 oz
£2 Silver 38.61 mm 31.21 g 999 1 oz
£1 Silver 27 mm 15.71 g 999 0.5 oz
£0.50 Silver 22 mm 7.86 g 999 0.25 oz
£0.25 Silver 16.5 mm 3.15 g 999 0.1 oz
£0.10 Silver 12 mm 1.58 g 999 0.05 oz
£0.05 Silver 8 mm 0.8 g 999 0.025 oz
£25 Platinum 20 mm 7.85 g 999.5 0.25 oz

James Bond Coins

The legacy of James Bond

The Royal Mint has authorised a new set of coins made of gold, silver, and cupro-nickel in honour of James Bond, a fictional spy who has captured the hearts and minds of the British public. Bond, whose designation as 007 is famous worldwide, is celebrated on these coins as a symbol of the nation's admiration for his daring exploits and unflappable character.

It should be noted that this is not the first time that the Royal Mint has featured James Bond on its coins. Those who are interested in exploring our full range of James Bond coinage are encouraged to visit our website and discover the many options available to them!

The possible variations for the reverse of these coins are as follows:

  • A depiction of James Bond flying a microlight set against a background of James Bond titles and the inscription “007”.
  • The depiction of the amphibious car from the film The Spy Who Loved Me, set against a background of James Bond titles and the inscription “007”.

The specification of these James Bond coins are:

Denomination Metal Diameter Weight Fineness Actual Metal Weight (Troy oz)
£200 Gold 40 mm 62.42 g 999.9 2 oz
£100 Gold 32.69 mm 31.21 g 999.9 1 oz
£25 Gold 22 mm 7.8 g 999.9 0.25 oz
£10 Silver 65 mm 156.295 g 999 5 oz
£5 Silver 40 mm 62.86 g 999 2 oz
£2 Silver 38.61 mm 31.21 g 999 1 oz
£5 Cupro Nickel 38.61 mm 28.28 g N/A N/a

2023 Maundy Money Coins?

During the Privy Council meeting, the discussion culminated in the announcement of a new series of silver coins consisting of one penny, two pence, three pence, and four pence. Based on previous statements from the Royal Mint, it is anticipated that these coins will be the 2023 Maundy Money Coins.

You can find further information about 'The Story of Maundy Money' by referring to our guide available on our website.

The reverse of these coins feature the following:

The reverse design of these coins have the respective figures “4”, “3”, “2”, “1”(according to the denomination of the coin) in the centre, with the date of the year placed across the figure, and encircled with an oak wreath surmounted by the Crown.

The specification of these silver coins are:

Denomination Metal Diameter Weight
4 Pence Silver 17.63 mm 1.9 g
3 Pence Silver 16.26 mm 1.4 g
2 Pence Silver 13.44 mm 0.9 g
1 Penny Silver 11.15 mm 0.5 g

Summary

Thank you for reading our blog! As we await the arrival of these coins, we invite you to sign up for our mailing list so that you can be among the first to know when they are back in stock.

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