The 2026-dated collection entitled Portraits of a Queen highlights what would have been the centenary birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Had the late Queen lived to celebrate this milestone birthday, she would have been the first British or English Sovereign ever to reach this auspicious anniversary. The new 5-coin collection features the five definitive effigies included on British coinage during the record-breaking 70-year long reign of Queen Elizabeth II
During a record-breaking reign that spanned more than seven decades, Elizabeth II established herself as one of the most memorable and influential monarchs in British history. Five definitive portraits of the Queen appeared on the coins of the United Kingdom from 1953 up until 2023. This celebratory collection takes a closer look at each of these effigies and the stories behind their creation. The latest coin released focuses on the graceful effigy created by Arnold Machin’s of Queen Elizabeth II commissioned to be included on the country’s new decimal coinage. The discussion to transition Britain from Pounds, shillings and pence was an on-going proposal. Other countries within the Commonwealth such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa had done so quite successfully between 1961 and 1967 and as such, the impetus for Britain to do the same gained greater importance and purpose. Whereas South Africa chose the Rand, Australia and New Zealand transitioned from Pounds to a new Dollar system, the United Kingdom would retain the pound and re-denominate the shilling to ‘New Pence’.
The consultation monitoring the changeover believed it would be helpful to the public to easily distinguish the new coins from the old and that a new effigy along with newly designed reverse sides would be appropriate. To meet the demand of an entirely new series of coinage for the nation, The Royal Mint was re-located from London to a new State-of-the-art production facility in Llantrisant, Wales. On the 17th December 1968, the Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales officially opened the Mint. The first three coins as part of the decimal currency was produced from that year, 5 and 10 new pence coins (old one and two shilling coins) and from 1969, the new and innovative seven-sided 50 new pence coins. Each of them carried the second effigy of the Queen shown with draped shoulders and wearing a tiara of festoons, scrolls and collet-spikes, given to her as a wedding present by her grandmother Queen Mary. Smaller, more discreet lettering surrounded the effigy along the left and right rims which included the coin’s year of minting. Bronze coins denominated as 2, 1 and ½ penny pieces were under way in time for the official day of the country’s change-over known as D-Day or Decimal day which took place on the 15th February 1971.
The portrait on the reverse of the coin has been re-mastered by Gordon Summers, Chief Engraver at The Royal Mint and replicates the second definitive coinage portrait of Elizabeth II, designed by sculptor and artist Arnold Machin and introduced in 1968 to coincide with Britain’s period of transition to a decimal currency. The background includes a linear design and the text placed along the right rim reads PORTRAIT OF A QUEEN 1968 – 1964. The obverse of each coin option features the definitive effigy of HM King Charles III designed by Martin Jennings. The denomination 5 POUNDS or 25 POUNDS and year of issue 2026 also appears on the obverse as part of the legend surrounding the King’s likeness.
Available from the 4th November, the BU Cupro-nickel crown coins are housed in a blister-pak type folder with informative text and illustrations. The silver proof coins are encapsulated and presented in black leatherette matte cases accompanied with numbered certificates of authenticity. The gold proof coins are encapsulated and presented in polished gloss wood cases accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Royal Mint.
Schedule for the release of the series,
Coin 3 – Maklouf effigy, December 2025
Coin 4 – Rank-Broadley effigy, January 2026
Coin 5 – Clark effigy, February 2026