51) Coins Commemorating London Olympic Games 2012 and Paralympic Games 2012 issued by Royal Mint, (U.K.): A five pound celebrating the London 2012 Olympic Games A five pound celebrating the London 2012 Paralympic Games

51) Coins Commemorating London Olympic Games 2012 and Paralympic Games 2012 issued by Royal Mint, (U.K.):

A five pound celebrating the London 2012 Olympic Games

A five pound celebrating the London 2012 Paralympic Games:

1) For more on the Olympics and Paralympics held in the past, including the origins and history of the Olympics and Commemorative coins issued both on London Olympics and Paralympics please read my post on the London Olympics 2012 link as follows: History of the ancient & modern Olympics and Paralympics & commemorative coins issued during the London Olympics and Paralympics

2) For the Moscow Summer Olympics held in 1980: please read the post on the following link: Commemorative Coins issued on the occasion of Moscow Summer Olympics 1980 by the Russian Mint

3) For the Winter Olympics held at Sochi, Russia and the Commemorative Banknote issued, please read the post on the following link:A 100 Rouble Banknote Commemorating the Sochi, Russia Winter Olympics 2014

4) For Rio 2016, please click on the following link to get interesting insights into the mascots of the Rio Olympics Vinicius and Tom, the Games and the Commemorative Coins and stamps issue programme: 1)The 31st Summer Olympics "Rio 2016"
2) Commemorative Stamps and booklets issued by the Department of Posts, India on 05.08.2016 
5) For Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity, please click on the following link: Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity
6) For a set of Post cards titled "Olympic Events" : please click on the following link:  "Olympic Events": A set of 12 Post Cards issued by the Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 11.07.2016
7) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "Spirit of Olympics, Athens, Atlanta" please visit the following link: Spirit of the Olympic Games, Athens-Atlanta: Celebrating the Centenary of the Modern Olympic Games  
 8) For a presentation set of four stamps titled "XXVIII Olympic Games" (2004 Summer Olympics Athens, Greece, please visit the following link: XVIII Summer Olympic Games, Athens Greece (2004)
9) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "XXIX Olympic Games" (2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing, China, please visit the following link: XXIX Olympic Games Beijing, China: 08.08.08- 24.08.08: A Presentation set of four stamps issued by India Post on 08.08.08

Historical reference:

 A) Ancient Olympic Games:

The origins of these Games and the period during which the first Athletic Games were held is not very clear from historical traditions, which were mostly oral but, it is generally believed that sports-persons from the various city-states of Ancient Greece conducted the Event in Olympia in 776 B.C.  or 765 B.C. in honour of Zeus, the King of the Gods. The Games thereafter were generally held every four years or “Olympiad” (as the unit of time-period came to be known), with a few exceptions. 

An interesting feature of these Games was, that, when these Games were held, an “Olympic Truce” was agreed upon by all participating countries, which enabled participants to travel without fear even through Enemy States. 

Laurel leaf wreaths were given as recognition to the victors who were honoured and their feats mentioned in chronicles and their statues carved for posterity. Poets were commissioned to write verse and prose in honour of the victors. Also, winners were awarded olive leafs and huge sums of money. 

A huge statue of Zeus, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, presided over the Games which has now been lost in History, with the passage of time. The statue which was over 13 meters tall was made by the Greek sculptor Phidias and was made of gold and ivory and was placed in one of the largest temples of Ancient Greece, built by the renowned Greek architect Libon.

The Games provided an opportunity for forging political alliances between the City States, religious, Artistic and Cultural inter-actions/events and all-round festivities and worship and tributes to Zeus and other lesser Gods. 

Most of the early sporting events were foot races. Only free men, who spoke Greek, could participate in the events.Nevertheless, before the Olympic competitions would commence, young women aspiring to serve as priestesses in the temples of Hera, Zeus’ wife, competed in foot races, with the privilege of serving Hera going to the winners.

Afterwards, the foot races for women were declared an official event, when women took part in the Heraea Games held in the 6^th century B.C. Also, in the Games of 396 BC and 392 BC, the horses of a Spartan Princess named Cynisca won her the four-horse race. She is the first woman to be listed as an Olympic Games winner.  Even Nero, the much hated Emperor of Rome is said to have won a ten-horse chariot race in fair competition.

The word “stadion” race which was then a race of about 190 meters or 620 ft. is said to have been measured after Heracles’ stride which was the only event held in the first few Olympic Games. Later, the word stadium was derived from this foot race.

Gradually, more sporting events were added to the Ancient Olympic Games viz., the Diaulos (Two stadium race), the dolichos (another foot race), the hoplitpdromos (or the Hoplite Race), pygmel pygmacia, (Boxing), Pale (Wrestling), chariot racing, long jump, javelin throw, discus throw etc. were introduced. Some of the Games like, Boxing, chariot racing, running the races in full or partial armour, were brutal spectacles and on quite a few occasions resulted in grievous injuries/fatalities. There was a strange rule in Boxing, where bouts would continue till one combatant surrendered or died. A death resulted in the dead boxer being declared the winner. Perhaps, this rule had been incorporated, to protect the combatant’s lives.

The first Olympic Games lasted only one day, but eventually the event was held over five days.

B) Modern Olympic Games:

-The first significant effort to emulate the ancient Olympic Games was the “L ‘Olympiade de la Republique” a National Olympic Festival held annually from 1796 to 1798.

-Then, in 1850s, Dr. William Penny Brookes started the “Wenlock Olympian Games” in Shropshire, England which are conducted there even today.

Between 1862 and 1867, Liverpool held an annual Grand Olympic Festival. In 1866, a National Olympic Games was organized at London’s Crystal Palace.

Several events were hosted by Greece in the nineteenth century to recreate the glory of the Ancient Games.

-It is said that Baron Pierre de Coubertin, one of the Founders of the Modern Olympic Games wanted to fully capture the glory, festivities, etc. of the Ancient Olympic Games. His vision to conduct the Modern Olympic Games once every four years was realized when the Games were held in Athens in 1896.  From 1924, the Games were further classified as Summer Olympic Games and Winter Olympic Games (the first Winter Olympic Games having been held in Chamonix, France in 1924, when the VIII Summer Olympics were being conducted in Paris). While the next Olympiad is going to be held in London in 2012 (Summer Olympic Games), the 2014 Winter Olympics will be held in Innsbruck, Austria.

-Women athletes were allowed to participate in the Modern Summer Olympics from 1900 onwards. Charlotte Cooper of the United Kingdom was the first woman sportsperson to be declared an Olympic champion in the Games of 1900.

-In the present day, the Olympic Games are the biggest and most important Sports Competition featuring the Summer and Winter Games in which almost 200 nations participate. In addition, the Paralympic Games are held for physically challenged sportspersons and the Youth Olympic Games for teenage athletes. The Games are held every two years, with the Summer and Winter Olympics alternating in a two-year block, so that each of the Games is held every four years. Also, since 2008, the host cities are required to manage both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

-The International Olympic Committee (IOC) founded in 1894 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, is the Governing body whose activities are governed by the Olympic Charter. The IOC is supported by International Sports Federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and Organizing Committees (OCs) for each specific Olympic Games. The Games, relive the rituals of the Ancient Olympics including the Olympic Flag and the Olympic torch as well as opening and closing ceremonies. Winners are awarded Gold, silver and bronze medals which have taken the place of laurel crowns etc.

-In 1896, the IOC organized their first official Games in Athens, largely due to de Coubertin’s efforts in which 14 nations participated in 43 events. The Games have never looked back ever since and in the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing, China, 204 countries participated with a representation of over 10,500 sportspersons. Similarly, during the last Winter Olympics, over 2800 athletes from 80 countries participated.

  
Images of the reverse and obverse of a 20 Franc coin issued by France honouring the work done by Baron Coubertin in promoting the Olympic Games and commemorating the Centenary of the Modern Olympic Games "1894-1994". This coin was issued in 1994, i.e. before the Franc was overtaken by the Euro as the currency in circulation in France.

-The Olympic symbol comprises of five rings and the intertwined rings are famously known as the “Olympic rings” which represent the unity of the Five Continents of the World. A representation of the Olympic rings appears on the above coin. The colours of the Olympic rings are – blue, yellow, black, green and red over a white background, which represent at least one of the colours on every flag of the World countries.

-The motto adopted for the Olympics is “Faster, Higher, Stronger”. The Olympic participants follow the creed that it is important to have taken part and fought (competed) well and not the win. 

-The Olympic Mascot has been introduced to the Games since 1968.

Until 1912, the Gold medals awarded to first prize winners were made of solid gold. Presently, there is a stipulation that the gold medal must contain at least 6 gms of pure Gold. Accordingly, present day gold medals are made of gilded silver. The remaining quarter-finalists are awarded certificates officially called victory diplomas.

 (London Olympic Games 2012) Additional Fact File:

-The XXX Olympiad was allotted to the city of London on 6^th July 2005, and after seven years of rigorous preparations, the country is almost ready to host the London Olympic Games in July 2012.

-This is the third time that London would be hosting the Olympic Games, making it the first country to do so.

-A World class Olympic Park now stands as a symbol of the Olympic spirit and has led the transformation of East London in anticipation of the Great Event and all the Olympic venues are already ready to host the allotted sporting events. 

-The London Olympics will be featuring 29 Sports which break down into 39 disciplines.

-The London Olympic 2012 torch carried during the “Torch Relay” will have 8000 holes in it, representing the 8000 sports-persons/torch-bearers who will carry the Torch across the World to its final destination in London.

-The medals which will be presented at the London Olympics will be the biggest and heaviest medals ever given to the Olympic Games winners. The Gold Medal would actually be made of silver coated with 6 grams of fine Gold, in keeping with the stipulations set out by the IOC. 

-“Wenlock” is the name of the Official Mascot of the London Olympic Games, named after “Much Wenlock” in Shropshire, where the Much Wenlock Games inspired Pierre de Coubertin to found the Modern Olympic Movement.

-Other tidbits:

-Starting Blocks were used for the first time in London 1948 Olympic Games.

-Gold Medals were presented for the first time in the Saint Louis Games in 1904 and not in the first Modern Games.

Commemorative Five Pound Coin issued by Royal Mint (U.K.) for London 2012 Olympics:

The obverse design showing a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a coronet on her head, facing right has the inscription “Elizabeth II D.G.REG.F.D.” followed by “Five Pounds.2012”. The initials of the Obverse Designer “IRB” (short for Ian Rank-Broadley) appear below the Queen’s picture.

The reverse design of the official five pound Commemorative coin represents the London skyline – inter alia showing the London Eye, the Big Ben, the Parliament etc. with their reflection in the Thames River which flows serenely alongside. On the periphery are depicted 12 pictograms of the 26 sports which will see competition in the London Olympics. On the top of the coin is “Wenlock”the official mascot of the London Olympics 2012. The reverse design was made by Saiman Miah, whose entry has been selected after conducting an Olympic coin design competition. (I have not been able to pinpoint/locate Saiman Miah’s initials on the reverse side).

The specifications of the “Brilliant Uncirculated” coin, given on the elegant coin album are as under:

Denomination: GBP 5,

Alloy: Cupro-Nickel,

Weight: 28.28 gms,

Diameter: 38.61 mm.

“Wenlock”, the official mascot of the London Olympic Games.  A closer look at the official mascot reveals that it is a stylized presentation of the year “2012”, with London mentioned on the numeral “2” with the “Union Jack” (Flag) printed in the background), , the Olympic Symbol given on the numeral “0”, and the Union Jack  spread over the numerals “12”.

Commemorative fifty pence coins celebrating 29 individual Sports:

The above is an illustration of the 29 Commemorative fifty pence coins issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating 29 individual sporting events which were held in the London Olympics. This image is from the collection of Dr. P.V.Satyaprasad.

The following fifty pence Commemoratives issued by the Royal Mint, U.K. are from the collection of Ajit George. Only 12 out of the 29 Sports which were held in the London Olympics and which were commemorated by the Royal Mint, U.K. are given here:

The obverse design of the seven - sided fifty pence coins shows a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a coronet on her head, facing right has the inscription “Elizabeth II D.G.REG.F.D . 2011.” The initials of the Obverse side Designer “IRB” (short for Ian Rank-Broadley) appear below the Queen’s picture. Obverse of the seven-sided fifty pence coins showing an image of Queen Elizabeth.

  
Reverse of the fifty pence coin showing Gymnastics. Above the sport depiction is an image of Wenlock the official mascot of the London Olympic Games. 

 

Reverse of the fifty pence coin showing  Women's Hockey.

Reverse of this fifty pence coin shows the Triathlon showing the swimming, cycling and running events comprising the Triathlon.

Reverse of this fifty pence coin commemorates Aquatics.

Reverse of a fifty pence commemorative depicting cycling.

Reverse of this fifty pence coin celebrates Athletics. This image shows a High Jumper in action.

The Reverse of this fifty pence coin commemorates archery.

The Reverse of this fifty pence coin commemorates the Sport of Rowing. The words "Excellence Friendship Fair Play Respect" which are a sports-persons guiding principles, also appear on this coin face.

 A fifty pence coin commemorating Football. This was a very popular coin, as it explains the off-side rule which has "perplexed" several Football enthusiasts .

This fifty pence coin commemorates the game of Table Tennis.

This fifty pence coin commemorates Goal-Ball.

A fifty pence coin commemorating Tennis.

Paralympics (Historical reference):

    

- In 1948, Sir Ludwig Guttmann , keen on rehabilitating soldiers injured during World War II, organized a sports event among patients at several hospitals to coincide with the 1948 London Olympics which came to be  known as the Stokes  Mandeville Games ,named after the Stokes Mandeville Hospitals  (in the United Kingdom )for World War II soldiers with spinal cord injuries.

 - Dr. Ludwig organized a wheel-chair archery competition at Stokes Mandeville hospital. Four years later, as more sports were added, athletes from Holland joined the Games, the International Paralympic Movement was born.

- The event provided an opportunity for using sports to act as an avenue for healing. 

- Over the next 12 years this became an annual event. Later, 400 sportspersons at Sir Guttmann’s initiative participated in a “Parallel Olympics” in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, which is now famously known as the “First Paralympics”.

- Since then the Paralympics is held every Olympic Year. From 1988, the host city for the Olympic Games, also organizes the Paralympic Games. The first Paralympic Torch Relay took place at the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games.

- With the 2008 Games it has now become a contractual requirement for the host Nation to promote the two Games as an integrated whole. 

- As a measure of the popularity of the Paralympics it was heart-warming to see the number of athletes participating in the Summer Paralympic increasing from 400 in Rome to 3951 in Beijing.

-  Each Paralympic Gold Medal is similar in composition to the Olympic Gold Medals and made of silver coated with 6 gms of fine gold. 

- “Mandeville” is the official mascot of the London Paralympics 2012. The mascot looks much like “Wenlock” the official mascot of the Olympic Games, but its contains the Paralympic Games symbol which is different to the 5 Olympic Rings of the Olympic Games ,which gives the Paralympics a distinct identity.

- The London Paralympic Games 2012 will feature 20 Sports.

Commemorative five Pound Coin issued by Royal Mint (U.K.) for London 2012 Paralympics:

The obverse design is exactly the same as the design for the London Olympic 2012 Games  Five-Pound  coin given above.

The reverse design of the official five pound Commemorative coin from the Royal Mint, (U.K.), represents the “Circles” found in the Paralympic Games – a spoked wheel (representing easy maneuverability/movement on wheel-chairs for the athletes, a spiral target with three bullet holes (a symbolic reminder of the first Games when Archery for the physically challenged sports-persons was the main event) and a stopwatch for measuring speed.   

On the left side of the coin is “Mandeville “the official mascot of the London Paralympics 2012. The reverse design was made by Pippa Sanderson, whose entry has been selected after conducting a Paralympic coin design competition. (I have not been able to pinpoint/locate Pippa Sanderson’s initials on the reverse side).

The specifications of this “Brilliant Uncirculated” coin are the same as the Olympic Games coin issued by the Royal Mint and are as under:

Denomination: GBP 5,

Alloy: Cupro-Nickel,

Weight: 28.28 gms,

Diameter: 38.61 mm.

“Mandeville”, the mascot of the Paralympics. A closer look at the official mascot reveals that it is a stylized presentation of the year “2012”, with London mentioned on the numeral “2” with the “Union Jack” (Flag) printed in the background), , the Paralympic Symbol given on the numeral “0”, and the Union Jack  spread over the numerals “12” and “Paralympic Games” mentioned over the numeral  “2”.

A representation  of Wenlock and Mandeville as they will be visible throughout the London Olympics.

Wenlock Features:

- The Head is shaped in the representation of the 3 medals to be won in each Olympic Event.

- On the head is a Taxi-Light inspired by London's Black Taxis.

- The "Eye" is a camera which let's Wenlock record everthing .

- On the wrists Wenlock wears  Friendship Bands in the five colours of the Olympic Rings.

Mandeville Features:

- The Head is shaped like a helmet - aerodynamic and featuring the 3 Paralympic colours.

- On the Forehead is a Taxi light representing London's black taxis.

- Mandeville has an "Eye" like a camera, which too, records everything. 

- On the Wrist Mandeville wears a "Personal Best Timer" which helps to keep track of performance.

Issues from other Organisations commemorating the London Olympics as unofficial memorablia:

The front and back of a gold-plated ingot issued to commemorate the London Olympics. This ingot is issued as a commemorative only and is not an official Commemorative coin/issue.

The front and back of another gold-plated ingot issued to commemorate the London Olympics. This ingot is issued as a commemorative only and is not a Commemorative coin/issue.

Posted on 23.03.2017: 

I have recently purchased the following set of postage stamps from India Post which was offering back-dated releases of stamps in the Philatelic Museum relating to the Olympic Games. This set pertains to the London Olympics 2012: 

The Presentation set shows the five Olympic Rings and is titled "XXX OLYMPIC GAMES - 25.07.2012".The stamps show volleyball (2000 Paise or Rs.20/-), rowing (500 Paise or Rs.5/-), sailing (500 Paise or Rs.5/-) and badminton(2000 Paise or Rs.20/-)

 The Description sheet accompanying the four stamp Presentation set reads:
" The 2012 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXX Olympiad and commonly known as London 2012, were held in London and to a lesser extent across the United Kingdom from 25th July to 12th August 2012. London is the first city to have the privelege of posting (should read "hosting", the "p" seems to be an error?) the modern Olympic Games (a) third time. The London Olympics were commenced with the theme slogan "Inspire a Generation". The official mascot of the Games was "Wenlock". These Olympic Games turned out to be India's most successful Olympics, where India got six medals in total.
India Post has issued a set of four stamps to commemorate the Games on 25.07.2012. (The) four stamps depict the disciplines of volleyball, rowing, sailing and badminton. These stamps were designed by Kamleshwar Singh". 






(The London Olympics and Paralympics five pound coins are from my collection. The Peirre de Coubertin coin and five 50 p coins representing individual sporting events are from Jayant Biswas' collection, while seven 50 p coins representing individual sporting events and the gold plated ingots are from Ajit George's collection.The consolidated photo of 29 fifty pence coins representing 29 sporting events is from the collection of Dr. P.V.Satyaprasad. Article researched and written and coins/ingots scanned by Rajeev Prasad)


Links to posts on Sports:

1) Ryder Cup 2014 Commemorative Banknote issued by Royal Bank of Scotland

2)  Coins Commemorating Commonwealth Games in India & other Indian Sports

3) A 100 Rouble Banknote Commemorating the Sochi, Russia Winter Olympics 2014 

4) A set of 4 Stamps issued by Indiapost to Commemorate the FIFA World Cup, Brazil, 2014

6) Limited Edition Gold & Silver coins issued on Sachin Tendulkar "World's Greatest Batsman" by the New Zealind Mint

7) Australia's greatest Cricketing Legend Sir Donald bradman honoured by issue of 5 Pound Austrailan coins by the Royal Australian Mint.

8) Commemorative Coins issued on the occasion of Moscow Summer Olympics 1980 by the Russian Mint  




Links:

British Crown Dependencies:

1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey

2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey

3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey

4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain

5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010
  
6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015

7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend

8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie

9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda

10) The Bailiwick of Jersey - Presently circulating coinage - Pounds and Pence 

11) St. Helena & Ascension Islands: An Uncirculated Coin Set from 2003 

12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint 

Famous Battles: 

1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to St. Helena: (Part I): A One Crown Commemorative coin issued by the Ascension Island (minted by Pobjoy Mint UK) 

2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK

3) Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain by issuing a 50 Pence coin by the Royal Mint UK

Gold Coins:
  
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013 & 2014 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark

2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark 

Silver Coins:

1) A 20 Pound Silver coin minted for the first timr by the royal Mint UK: reverse design carries the famous St. George slaying the dragon design found on Gold Sovereigns 

British India Coinage:

 1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835

2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress

3) Edward VII: King & Emperor  Coinage

4) George V King Emperor Coinage

5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage 

Other British Royalty: 

1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK

2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown

3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK

4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013

5) The British Empire:  A Case of Numismatic "segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)

6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark

 British Coinage:

1) The contribution of the Great British One-Pound coins in keeping alive the historical legends/emblems/heritage of the UK (1983 onwards)

2) Transformation of a Five shilling Coin (Crown) into the UK Twenty-five Pence & then the Five Pound Coin

3) Transformation of the Two Shilling Coin (Florin) Coin into the UK Ten Pence

4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone

 Commemorative British Coinage:

 1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era

 2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK

3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)

4) Commemorating 150 Years of the London Underground : Two pound Coins minted by the Royal Mint UK, showing the "Roundel" logo and a train emerging from a tunnel 

5) Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his" Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK 

6) 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta - the Universal Guidepost to Liberty and Freedom

Inspirations from Scottish History: 

1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes

Banknotes from Scotland:
  
1) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote

History: 

37)Fort St. George, Chennai (Part I) : The Advent of the East India Co. in India & other related articles