The Royal Mint has produced its biggest coin ever for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The "unique 15-kilogram gold masterpiece" was commissioned by a private UK collector in recognition of the monarch's 70-year reign.
It has a denomination of £15,000, a diameter of 220mm and is made of gold, featuring a commemorative design on both sides personally approved by the Queen. The design, by artist John Bergdahl, depicts a crowned EIIR cypher surrounded by roses, daffodils, thistles and shamrocks, representing the United Kingdom, on the coin's reverse side.
The reverse also features a symbolic privy mark of the St Edward’s Crown worn during her coronation in 1953, positioned above the number 70. Meanwhile, on the obverse side of the coin, a special engraved image can be seen showing the Queen on horseback, harking back to the 1953 coronation crown coin created by Gilbert Ledward.
The Royal Mint says the gold coin required "almost 400 hours of craftsmanship and refinement" with state-of-the-art engraving and laser technology used along the way. Rather than being struck between two dies like a standard coin, the rare large coins are cut into a solid gold ingot by a high-speed precision milling machine before the processes of burnishing, polishing, and frosting are carried out by hand to highlight key elements within the designs.
Clare Maclennan, divisional director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: "This special-edition coin made of 15 kilograms of fine gold is the masterpiece in the Platinum Jubilee collection, combining the finest craftsmanship and innovation rooted in our heritage as the original maker of coins for the monarchs and in celebration of Her Royal Majesty’s momentous 70 years on the throne.
"The largest coin ever made by the Royal Mint, it is a unique piece of art that will endure as a legacy of the occasion for generations to come. The one-off piece, commissioned by a private collector, represents our growth as the home of precious metals in the UK, making metals precious to our customers across all our collections."
The unnamed collector who commissioned the coin said: "As a long-standing customer of the Royal Mint, I have invested in unique and interesting coins marking moments throughout the Queen’s reign that will remain in my family for generations. The latest and greatest in my collection is the Platinum Jubilee coin, designed by John Bergdahl and brought to life in 15 kilograms of solid gold. The beautiful design stands apart as a fitting tribute to Her Majesty’s service to our nation and the craftsmanship is simply breath-taking, ensuring a once-in-a-lifetime moment will live on in history on UK coin."
Paul Morgan, technical manager at the Royal Mint, added: "As the largest UK coin to date, the scale and diameter of the piece has allowed us to push the boundaries of minting to produce an exceptional level of relief and detail. It is a true testament to the expertise and skills of our in-house design and production teams, and their ability to collaborate with the finest artists. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology has produced a truly one-of-a-kind piece of art."
The Royal Mint - which has been making coins for 1,100 years and is based in South Wales - has already issued one of its largest commemorative collections in history for the Jubilee, including a traditional £5 crown and the first Royalty-themed 50p.
