As Britain gears up for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Royal Mint is celebrating achievements from our heritage with the release of 18 sterling silver Proof coins. Each of the £5 coins features the London 2012 logo in colour on the reverse while the Queen’s portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS graces the obverse.
The image on the coin of Buckingham Palace and the Mall symbolises the tradition and ceremony of London, being one of the most visited landmarks by international visitors.
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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 inscription on the coin, ‘Kind hearts are more than coronets’, is by the nineteenth-century British poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson. It expresses the important role of ceremony that lies behind Britain's pageantry, while also remembering that the spirit of the nation is what gives Britain its character, just as the spirit of Olympians transcends any achievement.
Tradition and pageantry have remained strong in a country with such a long and rich history. Royal events and ceremonies still hold a powerful fascination for the nation and for around 15 million tourists from around the world who come and visit London each year. Occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament, Trooping the Colour and Garter Day are some of the most colourful and exciting events of the year, full of symbolism and tradition, and an integral part of the Queen’s role as Head of State. The Changing of the Guard in particular is watched by millions, making Buckingham Palace and The Mall, both depicted on the coin, major stops on many sightseeing tours.
Buckingham Palace is probably one of the most famous buildings in the world and is the official London residence of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Built in 1701 for the Duke of Buckinghamshire, Buckingham House, as it was then known, was purchased by George III in 1761. His son, George IV, set about converting the house into a palace, a work that was completed by his brother William IV. It was not until 1837, however, when Queen Victoria acceded to the throne, that the Palace became home to the Monarch and the official London residence of the British Royal family.
Today, it is far more than just a home, being very much a working building and the focal point of Britain’s constitutional monarchy. It is estimated that more than 50,000 people visit the Palace each year for banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions and garden parties. During August and September, when the Queen makes her annual visit to Scotland, the Palace's 19 state rooms are open to visitors, allowing the public to get a glimpse of what lies behind the famous façade.