£5 Coin Designs and Specifications

Background Information

These coins, as the name suggests, are issued to commemorate special occasions of national importance that are usually, but not exclusively, Royal in theme. They are intended to be souvenirs, rather than ordinary circulation coins, and are therefore rarely found in everyday circulation.

Traditionally, crowns had a face value of 25p (or 5 shillings prior to decimalisation in February 1971). In 1990, the face value was increased to £5 to give the coin a value consistent with its weight and size - in relation to those of the then current range of coins.

Each crown issue is authorised by Royal Proclamation in accordance with the requirements laid down by the Coinage Act 1971. This means that, just like other coins in general circulation, a crown has legal tender status.

Most people would not wish to exchange a crown piece, but, in recognition of the fact that some people may wish to do so, some banks will allow crowns to be deposited into bank accounts. However, please note that; whilst the coins are legal tender, banks are not obliged to accept the coins (please refer to guidelines on legal tender status). Policies on accepting crowns do vary, it is therefore advisable to check with your bank in advance.

Alternatively, crowns can be exchanged for goods or services at Main Post Office branches throughout the UK. For further assistance, please contact the Post Office Helpdesk on 08457 223344.

First Issued	4 August 1990 (previously crowns had a face value of 25 pence)
Specifications
Diameter	38.61mm
Weight	28.28g
Thickness	2.89mm
Composition	Cupro-nickel ( 75% copper, 25% nickel) Collector versions have been struck in precious metals
Obverse Designers	Portrait of Her Majesty the Queen 1990-1997 - Raphael Maklouf 1998-2015 - Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS 2015 to date - Jody Clark
Reverse Designers	See Table Below
Edge	Milled

Year of Issue	Denomination	Designers	Information
1953	Five Shillings	Obverse designer: Gilbert Ledward Reverse designer: Cecil Thomas/Edgar Fuller	The Queen's Coronation The four quarterings of the Royal Arms, each contained in a shield and arranged in saltire with, in the intervening spaces, a rose, a thistle, a sprig of shamrock and a leek; in the centre the Crown and in the base the date of the year, 1953. Edge inscription: FAITH AND TRUTH I WILL BEAR UNTO YOU
1960	Five Shillings	Obverse designer: Mary Gillick Reverse designer: Cecil Thomas/ Edgar Fuller	The New York Exhibition The four quarterings of the Royal Arms, each contained in a shield and arranged in saltire with, in the intervening spaces, a rose, a thistle, a sprig of shamrock and a leek; in the centre the Crown and in the base the date of the year, 1960.
1965	Five Shillings	Obverse designer: Mary Gillick Reverse designer: Oscar Nenom	Winston Churchill Memorial Portrait of Sir Winston Churchill and the word CHURCHILL
1972	25p	Obverse designer: Arnold Machin Reverse designer: Arnold Machin	The Queen & Prince Philip's Silver Wedding Anniversary The initials EP on a background of foliage, with the figure of Eros above the Royal Crown.
1977	25p	Obverse designer: Arnold Machin Reverse designer: Arnold Machin	The Queen's Silver Jubilee The Ampulla and Anointing Spoon encircled by a floral border and above a royal crown
1980	25p	Obverse designer: Arnold Machin Reverse designer: Richard Guyatt	The Queen Mother's 80th Birthday In the centre, a portrait of the Queen Mother, surrounded by bows and lions, with the inscription QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER 4 AUGUST 1980.
1981	25p	Obverse designer: Arnold Machin Reverse designer: Philip Nathan	Prince Charles & Lady Diana's Wedding Portrait of The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer with the inscription HRH the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer 1981
1990	£5	Obverse designer: Raphael Maklouf Reverse designer: Leslie Durbin	The Queen Mother's 90th Birthday A cypher in the letter E in duplicate, above a Royal Crown, flanked by a rose and a thistle, all within the inscription QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER and the dates 1900-1990.
1993	£5	Obverse designer: Raphael Maklouf Reverse designer: Robert Elderton	40th Anniversary of the Queen's Coronation St Edward's Crown, encircled by forty trumpets, all within the inscription FAITH AND TRUTH I WILL BEAR UNTO YOU and the anniversary dates 1953-1993.
1996	£5	Obverse designer: Raphael Maklouf Reverse designer: Avril Vaughan	The Queen's 70th Birthday A representation of Windsor Castle, with five flag poles, two holding forked pennants, with anniversary dates of 1926 and 1996. The other flags are Royal Arms, Union flag and Our Personal flag.
1997	£5	Obverse designer: Philip Nathan Reverse designer: Leslie Durbin	The Queen and Prince Philip's Golden Wedding Anniversary A pair of Shields, chevronwise ( on the left, Shield of Our Royal Arms, on the right, Shield of Prince Philip). Above, a Royal Crown and the date 20 NOVEMBER; below, an anchor cabled and FIVE POUNDS.
1998	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Michael Noakes/Robert Elderton	HRH The Prince of Wales 50th Birthday Commemorative Crown A portrait of Prince Charles and, in the background, words relating to the work of The Prince's Trust. A circumscription of FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY OF HRH PRINCE OF WALES and below FIVE POUNDS, flanked by the anniversary dates of 1948 and 1998.
1999	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: David Cornell	Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Coin A portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales, with the dates 1961 and 1997, circumscription IN MEMORY OF DIANA PRINCESS OF WALES and the value FIVE POUNDS.
1999-2000	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Jeffrey Matthews	The Millennium Crown A representation of a dial of a clock, hands set at 12 o'clock, with a map of the British Isles and the dates 1999 and 2000 and the words ANNO DOMINI and the value FIVE POUNDS. Edge inscription: WHAT'S PAST IS PROLOGUE
2000	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS	The Queen Mother's 100th Birthday A portrait of the Queen Mother, flanked by groups of people, with the circumscription QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER and the anniversary dates 1900-2000. Below the portrait, a representation of her signature.
2001	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Mary Milner-Dickens	100th Anniversary of the Death of Queen Victoria A representation of Crystal Palace within the value FIVE POUNDS, stylised railway lines in the shape of a V incorporating a portrait of Queen Victoria, a remnant of the words ONE PENNY and the anniversary dates of 1901 and 2001.
2002	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS	Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Crown A portrait of the Queen with the value FIVE POUNDS below
2002	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Avril Vaughan	The Queen Mother Memorial Crown A portrait of the Queen Mother, encircled by a wreath and with the circumscription QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER and the dates 1900-2002. Edge inscription: STRENGTH DIGNITY LAUGHTER
2003	£5	Obverse designer: Tom Phillips Reverse designer: Tom Phillips	50th Anniversary of The Queen's Coronation GOD SAVE THE QUEEN in the centre, surrounded by the words CORONATION JUBILEE, FIVE POUNDS and the anniversary date 2003.
2004	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: David Gentleman	100th Anniversary of the Entente Cordiale between Great Britain and France Combined figures of Britannia and Marianne, with the words ENTENTE CORDIALE and the anniversary dates 1904 and 2004.
2005	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Clive Duncan	200th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar Design features HMS Victory & Temeraire in battle, surrounded by inscription TRAFALGAR and the dates 1805 & 2005.
2005	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: James Butler	200th Anniversary of the Death of Horatio Nelson A portrait of Horatio Nelson and the dates 1805 & 2005 Edge Inscription: ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN TO DO HIS DUTY
2006	£5	Obverse Designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse Designer: Danuta Solowiej-Wedderburn	Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Eightieth Birthday Crown Three trumpets with trumpet banners accompanied by the inscription 1926 VIVAT REGINA 2006. Edge inscription: DUTY SERVICE FAITH
2007	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Emma Noble	Diamond Wedding Crown The rose window of Westminster Abbey, accompanied by the inscription TVEATVR VNITA DEVS, the dates 1947 and 2007, and the denomination FIVE POUNDS. Edge Inscription: MY STRENGTH AND STAY
2008	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Rod Kelly	450th Anniversary of the Accession of Queen Elizabeth I A portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, crowned and set within a mandorla. A rose has been placed at each connecting point, while the two side arches each contain a leaf pattern reminiscent of the carvings made by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. The year of her accession and the year of the anniversary are both shown in Roman numerals. Edge Inscription: I HAVE REIGNED WITH YOUR LOVES
2008	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS	His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales Sixtieth Birthday A portrait of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales Edge Inscription: SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY
2009	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: John Bergdahl	500th Anniversary of the Accession of Henry VIII
2010	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: David Cornell	350th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Monarchy
2011	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Mark Richards FRBS	The Duke of Edinburgh’s 90^th Birthday
2011	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Mark Richards FRBS	Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton’s Wedding
2012	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS	The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
2013	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Emma Noble	60th Anniversary of the Queen's Coronation
2013	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: John Bergdahl	The Christening of HRH Prince George of Cambridge
2014	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Mark Richards FRBS	The 300th Anniversary of the Death of Queen Anne
2015	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: Mark Richards FRBS	The 50th Anniversary of the Death of Sir Winston Churchill
2015	£5	Obverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS Reverse designer: David Lawrence	200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo
2015	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: John Bergdahl	The Christening of Princess Charlotte
2016	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Christopher Hobbs	The 90th Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen
2017	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Lee R Jones	The 1000th Anniversary of the Coronation of King Canute
2017	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Timothy Noad	The Centenary of the House of Windsor
2017	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Glyn Davies	The Queen's Sapphire Jubilee
2017	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	The Lion of England
2017	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	The Unicorn of Scotland
2017	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Humphrey Paget	Prince Philip: Celebrating a Life of Service.
2017	£5	Obverse designer: Etienne Millner Reverse designer: John Bergdahl	The Queen and Prince Philip's Platinum Wedding Anniversary
2017	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Edwina Ellis	The Christmas Tree
2017	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Stephen Taylor	Remembrance Day 2017
2018	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	The Red Dragon of Wales
2018	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	The 5th Birthday of HRH Prince George of Cambridge
2018	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Timothy Noad	Four Generations of Royalty
2018	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	The Black Bull of Clarence
2018	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	Prince Harry & Miss Meghan Markle’s Wedding
2018	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Stephen Taylor	The 65th Anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty The Queen
2018	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	The Pride of England
2018	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Laura Clancy	Remembrance Day 2018
2018	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Harry Brockway	The Nutcracker
2018	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Robert Elderton	Prince Charles 70th Birthday
2018	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: David Chipperfield	The Royal Academy of Arts
2019	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	The Falcon of the Plantagenets
2019	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Glyn Davies	The Legend of the Ravens
2019	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	The Yale of Beaufort
2019	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Glyn Davies	The Crown Jewels
2019	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: John Bergdahl	200th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Victoria
2019	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Glyn Davies	The Yeoman Warders
2019	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	The Lion of England - Cricket World Cup
2019	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Glyn Davies	The Ceremony of the Keys
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: P.J. Lynch	Lunar Year of the Rat
2019	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Harry Brockway	Remembrance Day 2019
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	The White Lion of Mortimer
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Dominique Evans	A Celebration of the Reign of George III
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Chris Facey	Queen
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	The White Horse of Hanover
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: David Lawrence	The 250th Anniversary of the Birth of William Wordsworth
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Christian Davies & Matt Dent	Bond, James Bond
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Christian Davies & Matt Dent	Pay Attention, 007.
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Christian Davies & Matt Dent	Shaken Not Stirred
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Timothy Noad	The White Tower
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Timothy Noad	The Royal Menagerie
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Timothy Noad	The Royal Mint
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Timothy Noad	The Infamous Prison
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Bradley Morgan Johnson	Elton John
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Henry Gray	The British Red Cross
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Matthew Dent and Christian Davies	The End of the Second World War
2020	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Natasha Preece	Remembrance Day 2020
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Harry Brockway	The White Greyhound of Richmond
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	Lunar Year of the Ox
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	David Bowie
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Timothy Noad	The 95th Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	The Griffin of Edward III
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Adam Hargreaves	Mr. Happy – The 50th Anniversary of Mr. Men Little Miss
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Adam Hargreaves	Mr Strong & Little Miss Giggles – The 50th Anniversary of Mr. Men Little Miss
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Adam Hargreaves	Little Miss Sunshine – The 50th Anniversary of Mr. Men Little Miss
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Anne Desmet	The 150th Anniversary of the Royal Albert Hall
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: John Bergdahl	Alfred the Great
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Ffion Gwillim	The Tale of Peter Rabbit
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Jody Clark	The Queen's Beasts
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Henry Gray	The Who
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley	HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Ffion Gwillim	Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Ffion Gwillim	Through the Looking Glass
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Gary Breeze	Remembrance Day
2021	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Heena Glover	Mahatma Gandhi
2022	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: David Lawrence	Lunar Year of the Tiger
2022	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: David Lawrence	Seymour Panther
2022	£5	Obverse designer: John Bergdahl Reverse designer: John Bergdahl	The Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen
2022	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: David Lawrence	Lion of England
2022	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Ffion Gwillim	The Tale of Peter Rabbit
2022	£5	Obverse designer: Jody Clark Reverse designer: Thomas T. Docherty	The 40th Birthday of HRH The Duke of Cambridge