Whether it’s the great minds that have inhabited our shores, the rich body of our landscape, the vibrant spirit of British life, or the arrival of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, as a nation we have a lot to be proud of. Confirming this, survey results revealed today by The Royal Mint show that, in spite of the current economic and political climate, the majority of Brits remain patriotic. 83% of people surveyed stated that they are proud to be British, with 69% naming our heritage as a reason to be proud.
Our history is so important to us as a nation that an overwhelming majority (80%) of people surveyed listed it as the key factor that gives Britain its identity, with nearly two thirds of people taking pride in our landscape. Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Her Majesty the Queen all topped the bill as icons of British identity, securing the support of eight in ten people asked.
With the Royal Mint’s own history stretching back more than 1,000 years, the organisation plays an important part in Britain’s heritage, past, present and future, and so it is especially fitting that they are the ones carrying out this research into the nation’s identity and pride. Significantly, the survey comes as The Royal Mint launches a new series of coins which simultaneously celebrates Britain’s past while looking forward to a great event. This limited edition set of commemorative silver coins will highlight the achievements, physical character and identity of Great Britain, in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Dave Knight, Royal Mint Director of Commemorative Coin, said: ‘The Olympic Games is the most important festival of sport in the world. It is also a celebration of the people and the culture of the host city and host nation.
‘As our survey results clearly show, people are very proud of Britain, its heritage and its history. The Celebration of Britain Silver Series is a collection of coins that embraces this pride and celebrates our nation’s achievements in a way that has never been done before on the UK’s coinage.’
With Britain granted the honour of hosting the 30th Olympiad, London 2012 offers the perfect opportunity to showcase Britain to the world. In line with this, almost two thirds of people asked across the UK are proud that Britain is hosting the next Olympic and Paralympic Games and almost 40% of people felt that the Games would increase public pride in Britain.
The Celebration of Britain Silver Series comprises 18 silver Proof £5 coins, designed to celebrate Britain, its history, its people and its culture, through the themes of Mind, Body and Spirit. These themes draw parallels with the ideals of the Olympic Movement – a successful athlete will have a strong mind, body and spirit – and each theme is represented across six individual coins.
The first three coins to be made available in the series feature Stonehenge, Big Ben and The Angel of the North. The Stonehenge £5 coin goes on sale today at £27.45, that’s half price, with the following 17 coins released every 28 days.
The Celebration of Britain Silver Series is an Official Licensed Product of London 2012 and as such is presented in specific London 2012 packaging and features the official London 2012 logo.