Keeping time over the Palace of Westminster since 1859, Big Ben is perhaps Britain’s most recognised symbol of democracy. The Royal Mint is therefore proud to have produced an official London 2012 coin - a limited edition legal tender UK £5 coin featuring the famous clock face and presented in an informative and illustrated pack. Struck to impeccable Proof quality – the highest standard of minting – this remarkable coin forms part of Britain’s build up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games while capturing the continuing spirit of pride in our nation. As with all UK legal tender coins, the portrait of Her Majesty The Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS appears on the obverse.
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Designer Shane Greeves worked closely with the Royal Mint Engraving Team to produce this special coin that combines a stirring quote with a symbolic image to encapsulate the emotion, the wonders and greatness of Britain and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The clock face of the Palace of Westminster symbolises democracy and the key role Britain has played through its Parliament in bringing democracy to the world.
‘This design plays on a different view of the famous clock face. As Big Ben is so recognisable the world over, taking a different view gives it an unusual, but still recognisable aspect.’ Shane Greeves, Designer
The inscription on the coin, ‘Nations touch at their summits’, is by the nineteenth-century British businessman, essayist and journalist Walter Bagehot and is a way of referring to the Olympic Games as the pinnacle of sporting achievement as well as to Westminster as the symbol of a nation.
A symbol of British government and democracy, the Palace of Westminster was built by Sir Charles Barry in the mid-nineteenth century following the fire that destroyed most of the Palace of Westminster in 1834. Together with the Clock Tower, this is a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture, a style which is displayed to great effect on the clock dials.
The name Big Ben is often associated with the Clock Tower, the Great Clock and the Great Bell, although it was to the Great Bell only that the name originally applied. Construction of the Clock Tower began in September 1843 and was completed 16 years later. Big Ben first struck time with the Great Clock on 11 July 1859. This iconic tower stands today in the Houses of Parliament, a true landmark and emotive and powerful symbol of Britain.
Until recently, old pre-decimal pennies were placed or removed from the pendulum to ensure that the clock keeps accurate time within two-fifths of a second a day. Now, in celebration of Big Ben’s 100th anniversary and for the first time, a Big Ben £5 coin struck by the Royal Mint has appropriately replaced some pennies.