This article discusses the commemorative British "crown-sized" five pound coin issued since 1990. For earlier coins worth five pounds, see Five pounds (British gold coin).

The British five pound coin (£5) is a redenominated commemorative coin, a continuation of the former crown, being identical with it in size and weight. The crown had continued to be minted occasionally after decimalisation

Decimal Day

Decimal Day was the day the United Kingdom and Ireland decimalised their currencies.-Old system:Under the old currency of pounds, shillings and pence, the pound was made up of 240 pence , with 12 pence in a shilling and 20 shillings in a...

, with a value of twenty-five pence, although, as was the case with most pre-decimal crowns, this was not stated on the coin. The new £5 denomination was introduced in 1990 to give the coin a value consistent with its weight and size. The £5 coin has the same dimensions as the crown, having a mass of 28.28 grams and having a diameter of 38.61 millimetres. It is minted in cupro-nickel, an alloy

Alloy

An alloy is a mixture or metallic solid solution composed of two or more elements. Complete solid solution alloys give single solid phase microstructure, while partial solutions give two or more phases that may or may not be homogeneous in distribution, depending on thermal history...

 of approximately 75% copper

Copper

Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...

, and 25% nickel

Nickel

Nickel is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile...

, although special versions have also been minted in silver and gold.

Five pound coins are legal tender but are intended as souvenirs and are almost never seen in circulation. The Royal Mint

Royal Mint

The Royal Mint is the body permitted to manufacture, or mint, coins in the United Kingdom. The Mint originated over 1,100 years ago, but since 2009 it operates as Royal Mint Ltd, a company which has an exclusive contract with HM Treasury to supply all coinage for the UK...

 states frankly "most retailers will refuse to accept them". However, the coins may be spent at all post offices. The coins are sold by the Royal Mint at face value and also, with presentation folders, at a premium to that face value. The 2010 coins, with such folders, were sold for £9.95 each.

Most issues carry the standard obverse design as used on contemporary British coins, such as the effigy of HM The Queen by Raphael Maklouf

Raphael Maklouf

Raphael Maklouf is a sculptor, best known for designing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II used on the coins of many Commonwealth nations....

 between 1990 and 1997 and the later design by Ian Rank-Broadley

Ian Rank-Broadley

Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS is a British sculptor who has produced many acclaimed works, among which are several designs for British coinage....

 since 1998, but special effigies have also been used on occasion.

The 2007 coins were released individually at face value later in the year by the Royal Mint, as well as in the regular presentation packs.

Designs

The following £5 coins have been produced:

1990: 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Obverse: Maklouf head. ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D above FIVE POUNDS below.

Reverse: Crown over two intertwined 'E's, rose & thistle QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER 1900 1990. Milled edge.

Reverse designer: Leslie Durbin

1993: 40th anniversary of the Coronation

Coronation of the British monarch

The coronation of the British monarch is a ceremony in which the monarch of the United Kingdom is formally crowned and invested with regalia...

.

Obverse: Small portrait of same design as the 1960 crown, surrounded by trumpeters and swords. ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID DEF above, FIVE POUNDS below.

Reverse: Crown within 40 radially aligned trumpets FAITH AND TRUTH I WILL BEAR UNTO YOU 1953-1993. Milled edge.

Reverse designer: Robert Elderton

1996: The Queen's 70th birthday.

Obverse: Maklouf head. ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D above FIVE POUNDS below.

Reverse: Flags flying with Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...

 behind. One flag inscribed 1926, another 1996. Also Royal Standard, Union Jack

Union Flag

The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...

 and the Queen's personal flag.

Reverse designer: Avril Vaughan

Edge inscription: VIVAT REGINA ELIZABETHA (Long Live Queen Elizabeth)

1997: The Queen's Golden Wedding Anniversary.

Obverse: Conjoined heads of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....

. ELIZABETH II D G REG F D PHILIP PRINCEPS.

Reverse: Royal Arms and Coat of Arms of The Duke of Edinburgh. St Edward's Crown above and anchor below 20 NOVEMBER 1947 1997 FIVE POUNDS. Milled edge.

Reverse designer: Leslie Durbin

1998: The Prince of Wales's

Charles, Prince of Wales

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...

 50th birthday.

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head. ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 1998.

Reverse: A portrait of The Prince of Wales against a background relating to the work of The Prince's Trust

The Prince's Trust

The Prince's Trust is a charity in the United Kingdom founded in 1976 by Charles, Prince of Wales to help young people. They run a range of training programmes, provide mentoring support and offer financial grants to build the confidence and motivation of disadvantaged young people...

. FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY OF HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES above, 1948 FIVE POUNDS 1998 below. Milled edge.

Reverse designer: Michael Noakes

Michael Noakes

Michael Noakes is an English artist and portrait painter.He was educated at Downside School, Somerset, and the Royal Academy Schools, London. His prime interests as a painter are in portraiture and landscape. He has been President of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and Chairman of the...

/Robert Elderton

1999: Diana, Princess of Wales

Diana, Princess of Wales

Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...

, memorial issue.

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head. ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 1999.

Reverse: A portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales facing right. IN MEMORY OF DIANA PRINCESS OF WALES around, 1961 1997 to the right, FIVE POUNDS below. Milled edge.

Reverse designer: David Cornell

1999: Millennium.

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head. ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 1999.

Reverse: Clock face showing time as midnight. Map of Great Britain

Great Britain

Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...

 and Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

, arranged so that Greenwich

Greenwich

Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...

 is at the centre of the clock; ANNO DOMINI below, 1999 2000 FIVE POUNDS around.

Reverse designer: Jeffery Matthews

Jeffery Matthews

Jeffery Matthews is a British artist, specialising in postage stamp design. He conceived the Machin definitive series' colour palette in the mid-1980s.-Biography:...

Inscription: WHAT'S PAST IS PROLOGUE (a quote from Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...

)

2000: Millennium.

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head. ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2000.

Reverse: Clock face showing time as midnight. Map of Great Britain and Ireland, arranged so that Greenwich is at the centre of the clock; ANNO DOMINI below, 1999 2000 FIVE POUNDS around.

Reverse designer: Jeffery Matthews

Jeffery Matthews

Jeffery Matthews is a British artist, specialising in postage stamp design. He conceived the Machin definitive series' colour palette in the mid-1980s.-Biography:...

Inscription: WHAT'S PAST IS PROLOGUE.

2000: Millennium Dome

Millennium Dome

The Millennium Dome, colloquially referred to simply as The Dome or even The O2 Arena, is the original name of a large dome-shaped building, originally used to house the Millennium Experience, a major exhibition celebrating the beginning of the third millennium...

 issue.

Identical to the last issue except for the addition of a mintmark at the 3 o'clock position on the reverse. Sold only at the Millennium Dome

Millennium Dome

The Millennium Dome, colloquially referred to simply as The Dome or even The O2 Arena, is the original name of a large dome-shaped building, originally used to house the Millennium Experience, a major exhibition celebrating the beginning of the third millennium...

, at a premium.

2000: 100th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head. ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2000.

Reverse: Portrait of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in front of people waving flags, signature Elizabeth R in exergue; outer legend: QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER, inner legend: 1900-2000 FIVE POUNDS.

Reverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley

Ian Rank-Broadley

Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS is a British sculptor who has produced many acclaimed works, among which are several designs for British coinage....

2001: Centenary of Queen Victoria's death.

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head. ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2001.

Reverse: Wyon head of Victoria in 'V' representing railway lines with representation of the Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace was a cast-iron and glass building originally erected in Hyde Park, London, England, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851. More than 14,000 exhibitors from around the world gathered in the Palace's of exhibition space to display examples of the latest technology developed in...

 around. 1901 2001 above, 5 POUNDS to low left. Milled edge.

Reverse designer: Mary Milner-Dickens

2002: The Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Obverse: Elizabeth II mounted on a horse. ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REGINA FID DEF AMOR POPULI PRAESIDIUM REG (the love of the people is the Queen’s protection) around, 2002 and coat of arms below.

Reverse: Portrait of the Queen, FIVE POUNDS below. Milled edge.

Reverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley

Ian Rank-Broadley

Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS is a British sculptor who has produced many acclaimed works, among which are several designs for British coinage....

2002: Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother memorial issue.

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head. ELIZABETH II D G REG F D around FIVE POUNDS below.

Reverse: Portrait of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER around. 1900-2002 below.

Reverse designer: Avril Vaughan

Inscription: STRENGTH DIGNITY LAUGHTER

2003: Coronation 50th anniversary.

Obverse: New portrait by Tom Phillips

Tom Phillips (artist)

Tom Phillips CBE R.A. is an English artist. He was born in London, where he continues to work. He is a painter, printmaker and collagist.-Life:...

 CBE RA. ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D around.

Reverse: Central motif GOD SAVE THE QUEEN, CORONATION JUBILEE FIVE POUNDS 2003 around. Milled edge.

Reverse designer: Tom Phillips

Tom Phillips (artist)

Tom Phillips CBE R.A. is an English artist. He was born in London, where he continues to work. He is a painter, printmaker and collagist.-Life:...

2004: Entente cordiale

Entente Cordiale

The Entente Cordiale was a series of agreements signed on 8 April 1904 between the United Kingdom and the French Republic. Beyond the immediate concerns of colonial expansion addressed by the agreement, the signing of the Entente Cordiale marked the end of almost a millennium of intermittent...

.

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head (IRB). ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D above, FIVE POUNDS below.

Reverse: Fused bust

Bust (sculpture)

A bust is a sculpted or cast representation of the upper part of the human figure, depicting a person's head and neck, as well as a variable portion of the chest and shoulders. The piece is normally supported by a plinth. These forms recreate the likeness of an individual...

s of Britannia

Britannia

Britannia is an ancient term for Great Britain, and also a female personification of the island. The name is Latin, and derives from the Greek form Prettanike or Brettaniai, which originally designated a collection of islands with individual names, including Albion or Great Britain. However, by the...

 and Marianne

Marianne

Marianne is a national emblem of France and an allegory of Liberty and Reason. She represents the state and values of France, differently from another French cultural symbol, the "Coq Gaulois" which represents France as a nation and its history, land, culture, and variety of sport disciplines in...

. 1904 ENTENTE 2004 CORDIALE around. Milled edge.

Reverse designer: David Gentleman

David Gentleman

David Gentleman is an English artist-designer. He studied illustration at the Royal College of Art under Edward Bawden and John Nash. He has worked in various media - watercolour, lithography, wood engraving - and at scales ranging from the platform-length murals for Charing Cross underground...

2005: Bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar

Battle of Trafalgar

The Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars ....

.

Two £5 coins were issued to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar, both with the same obverse.

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head (IRB). ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D above, FIVE POUNDS below.

Reverse (1): Portrait of Admiral Lord Nelson, HORATIO NELSON above the portrait, 1805 to left, 2005 to right of the portrait.

Reverse Designer (1): James Butler

James Butler (artist)

James Walter Butler MBE RA is a British sculptor.Butler was educated at Maidstone Grammar School and studied art at St Martin's School of Art and the Royal College of Art. For 10 years he was a professional stone carver. He taught sculpture and drawing at the City and Guilds of London Art School...

Reverse (2): HMS Victory

HMS Victory

HMS Victory is a 104-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, laid down in 1759 and launched in 1765. She is most famous as Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805....

 leading Nelson's fleet into battle

Reverse Designer (2): Clive Duncan

2006: The Queen's 80th birthday.

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head (IRB). ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D above, FIVE POUNDS below.

Reverse: Three ceremonial trumpets, VIVAT REGINA above, 1926 to left, 2006 to right.

Reverse designer: Danuta Solowieji-Wedderburn

2007: The Diamond Wedding Anniversary of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head (IRB). ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D

Reverse: The rose window of Westminster Abbey accompanied by the Latin inscription TVEATVR VNITA DEVS ("May God guard these united [kingdoms]")

Reverse designer: Emma Noble

Edge inscription: MY STRENGTH AND STAY

2008: The 60th Birthday of The Prince of Wales

Charles, Prince of Wales

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head (IRB). ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D

Reverse: Effigy of The Prince of Wales with THE PRINCE OF WALES - 1948 ICH - DIEN 2008.

Reverse designer: Ian Rank-Broadley

Ian Rank-Broadley

Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS is a British sculptor who has produced many acclaimed works, among which are several designs for British coinage....

552,500 issued.

2008: The 450th anniversary of the accession of Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I of England

Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head (IRB). ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D

Reverse: Inspired by the "Armada" portrait of Elizabeth by George Gower

George Gower

George Gower was an English portrait painter who became Serjeant Painter to Queen Elizabeth I in 1581.-Life:Little is known about his early life except that he was a grandson of Sir John Gower of Stettenham, Yorkshire....

, the Queen is crowned and set within a mandorla created by four decorative arches. A Tudor rose

Tudor rose

The Tudor Rose is the traditional floral heraldic emblem of England and takes its name and origins from the Tudor dynasty.-Origins:...

 has been placed at each connecting point while the two side arches each contain a leaf pattern. The inscription is ELIZABETH REGINA MDLVIII MMVIII

550,000 issued.

2009: The 500th anniversary of the accession of Henry VIII

Henry VIII of England

Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...

.

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head (IRB). ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D

Reverse: Design inspired by a Holbein painting of King Henry VIII, set within a tressure and surrounded by the inscription THE ACCESSION OF HENRY VIII 1509

Edge inscription: ROSA SINE SPINA

2009: Countdown to the London Olympics 2012 - 3

2010: The 350th anniversary of the Restoration of the Monarchy

English Restoration

The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...

.

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head (IRB). ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D

Reverse: Designed specially, the reverse features oak leaves and two intercrossed letter c's, above that the date '1660' and a crown, all below the inscription RESTORATION OF THE MONARCHY

2010: Countdown to the London Olympics 2012 - 2

2011: Ninetieth birthday of The Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head (IRB). ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F·D

Reverse: Portrait of The Duke of Edinburgh, facing right with raised ring with the inscription PRINCE PHILIP . 90TH BIRTHDAY . FIVE POUNDS . 2011 engraved into the leftmost half.

http://www.royalmint.com/store/catalogue/zoomProduct.aspx?imgID=2&psc=UKPPBU

2011: The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton

Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton

The wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middleton took place on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London. Prince William, the eldest son of Charles, Prince of Wales, first met Catherine Middleton in 2001, when both were studying at the University of St Andrews. Their...

Obverse: Rank-Broadley head (IRB). ELIZABETH·II D·G·REG·F.D FIVE POUNDS . 2011

Reverse: Double profile portrait of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, facing each other in a raised central disc, legend WILLIAM AND CATHERINE at the top of outer ring, 29 APRIL 2011 at base.

Reverse Designer: Mark Richards FRBS

Mintages

• 1990 ~ 2,761,431
• 1991-1992 ~ none
• 1993 ~ 1,834,655
• 1994-1995 ~ none
• 1996 ~ 2,396,100
• 1997 ~ 1,733,000
• 1998 ~ 1,407,300
• 1999 ~ 5,396,300
• 2000 ~ 3,147,092
• 2001 ~ 851,491
• 2002 ~ 3,687,882
• 2003 ~ 1,307,147
• 2004 ~ 1,205,594
• 2005 ~ 1,075,516

External links

• Royal Mint – £5 coin