Did you Know Series (29): 1)The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) on Coinage: 2) The Fourth and Final Circulating Coinage of the Portrait of QE II made by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the Portrait of QE II made by Jody Clark,, both struck during 2015.

Did you Know Series (29):

1)The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) on Coinage:

2) The Fourth and Final Circulating Coinage of the Portrait of QE II made by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the Portrait of QE II made by Jody Clark, both struck during 2015.

Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II struck on British Coinage:

The Mary Gillick Portrait (1953):

In 1953, upon Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne, the first definitive portrait of the Queen was created by Mary Gillick, a British sculptor. Gillick’s portrait captured the youthfulness of the young Elizabeth, rather than a perfect likeness of her physical age.

The portrait showed the Queen wearing a laurel wreath, instead of a crown.

The Obverse of a 1956 Australian one Penny coin, in my collection, showing the portrait of the Queen designed by Mary Gillick.

The Reverse of the above coin showing the year of issue as 1956.

The Arnold Machin Portrait (1968):

In 1968, Arnold Machin’s initial design was selected and he modelled his portrait of the Queen in two sittings. Unusually, although still in side profile, the Queen is seen almost from the back, which prompted criticism that the portrait was a little “racy”. Nevertheless, Machin countered this that his aim was “to create a design with charm and dignity and yet without sentimentality”.

The Obverse of a 1968 British Ten Pence coin, in my collection, showing the portrait of the Queen designed by Arnold Machin. This coin is from the very first issues of the British Decimal coinage for which the Portrait of the Queen was redesigned.

The Reverse of the above coin showing the denomination of the coin as “New Pence”, indicating that it was a Decimal coinage issue.

The Raphael Maklouf Portrait (1985):

Raphael Maklouf was born in Jerusalem and came to Britain sfter the Second World War. His was the third definitive portrait of the Queen, which first appeared in 1985. His version was a formal depiction, a little idealised with smooth skin, free from lines and it was couped (or cut-off) above the shoulders for the first time. This portrait was finished in one of the shortest sittings for designing the Queen’s portrait. This portrait served the shortest time on British coinage, but fulfilled Maklouf’s aim to create a regal symbol of the monarch.

The Obverse of a 1985 British One Pound coin, in my collection, which was one of the first few issues showing the portrait of the Queen designed by Raphael Maklouf.

The Reverse of the above coin showing the denomination of the coin as “One Pound”.

The Ian Rank – Broadley Portrait (1998):

The Fourth definitive coinage portrait, created by British sculptor, Ian Rank-Broadley was adopted in 1998 and was seen on British coins until the introduction of the Fifth Portrait by Jody Clark launched in 2015.

His design was strong and uncompromising, the Portrait with its realistic lines filling the field of the coin. The designer recognised that age was “no respecter of persons, royal or otherwise”. His portrait took many months to complete, as he felt that it was essential to the integrity of the project for the portrait to be a recognisable one and not over-idealised.

2) a: The Fourth and Final Circulating Coinage of the Portrait of QE II made by Ian Rank-Broadley struck in 2015:

This is the last time that the Royal Mint, UK has struck coins bearing the portrait of the Queen designed by Ian Rank-Broadley. These coins are dated 2015 as is an accompanying British circulating coinage set bearing the latest portrait of the Queen, designed by Jody Clark, which is going to be the new portrait of the Queen, which we will be seeing on British coinage over the next few years – a kind of Broadley handing over the baton to Clark through this special 2015 joint-issue containing circulating coinage sets designed by both designers, as a special Collector’s item.

The cover of one of the two album containing the “Fourth Circulating Coinage Portrail – Final Edition” (designed by Ian Rank-Broadley).

The Reverses of the 1 Penny to Fifty Pence coins (6 denominations), which if kept together as a jigsaw puzzle will display the Royal Arms as depicted on the Reverse of the One pound coin. The Obverse of the two pound coin is seen here bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF”. (meaning “Elizabeth II, By the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith”). The initials of the Designer “IRB” are seen below the Queen’s bust on the Two pound coin.

 The Obverses of all the 8 coins together from 1 Penny to 2 Pounds showing the year of issue as "2015".
Individual description of the coins in the order in which they appear on the Album on their Reverse:

Obverse of the Ten pence coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “IRB” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the Ten Pence Coin showing a part of the Royal Arms.

The specifications of the 10 Pence coin are:

Size: 24.50 mm; Metal Composition: Nickel plated steel; Weight: 6.50 gms.

Obverse of the Two pence coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “IRB” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the Two Pence Coin showing a part of the Royal Arms.

The specifications of the 2 Pence coin are:

Size: 25.91 mm; Metal Composition: Copper plated steel; Weight: 7.12 gms.

Obverse of the One Penny coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “IRB” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the One Penny Coin showing a part of the Royal Arms.

The specifications of the One Pence coin are:

Size: 20.32 mm; Metal Composition: Copper plated steel; Weight: 3.56 gms.

Obverse of the Five Pence coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “IRB” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the Five Pence Coin showing a part of the Royal Arms.

The specifications of the Five Pence coin are:

Size: 18.00 mm; Metal Composition: Copper plated steel; Weight: 3.25 gms.

Obverse of the Twenty Pence coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “IRB” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the Twenty Pence Coin showing a part of the Royal Arms.

The specifications of the Twenty Pence coin are:

Size: 21.40 mm; Metal Composition: Cupro-Nickel; Weight: 5.00 gms.

Obverse of the Fifty Pence coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “IRB” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the Fifty Pence Coin showing a part of the Royal Arms.

The specifications of the Fifty Pence coin are:

Size: 27.30 mm; Metal Composition: Cupro-Nickel; Weight: 8.00 gms.

Obverse of the One Pound coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “IRB” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the One Pound Coin showing the Royal Arms.

The specifications of the One Pound coin are:

Size: 22.50 mm; Metal Composition: Nickel-Brass; Weight: 9.50 gms.

Obverse of the Two Pound coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “IRB” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the Two Pound Coin showing the tools of Industrial production/development.

The specifications of the Two Pound coin are:

Size: 28.40 mm; Metal Composition: Inner portion: Cupro-Nickel. Outer Ring: Nickel-Brass; Weight: 12.00 gms.

A photograph of Ian Rank-Broadley together with a bust of the Queen.

2)b: The First Edition of Circulating Coinage bearing the fifth Portrait of QE II made by Jody Clark struck in 2015:

The Fifth definitive Portrait (2015 onwards):

The Fifth definitive portrait of the Queen has been designed by Royal Mint engraver, Jody Clark, who at 33 years of age is the youngest of the designers to capture the definitive coinage portrait of the Queen. Clark’s portrait has a sense of the Queen’s warmth, with a hint of a smile. His image captures the Queen in a realistic portrait with a contemporary appearance, which also includes elements that recognise the effigies of the past.

His portrait uses the full face of the coin, with the portrait neither totally contained within, nor breaking the Peripheral inscription. The diadem and neck extend where the gaps in the inscription permit.

The cover of the second of the two albums containing the “Fifth Circulating Coinage Portrait – First Edition” (designed by Jody Clark).

The Reverses of the 1 Penny to Fifty Pence coins (6 denominations), which if kept together as a jigsaw puzzle will display the Royal Arms as depicted on the Reverse of the One pound coin. The Obverse of the two pound coin is seen here bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF”. (meaning “Elizabeth II, By the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith”). The initials of the Designer “JC” are seen below the Queen’s bust on the Two pound coin.

The Obverses of the 1 Penny to one pound coins with the Britannia image on the Reverse of the Two pound coin. The Obverses show the new Portrait of the Queen designed by Jody Clark. The initials “JC” of the portrait designer are below the Queen’s bust. The coins show the year of issue as "2015".

Obverse of the Ten pence coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “JC” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the 10 Pence coin shows a part of the Arms.

The specifications of the 10 Pence coin are:

Size: 24.50 mm; Metal Composition: Nickel plated steel; Weight: 6.50 gms.

Obverse of the Two pence coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “JC” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the Two Pence Coin showing a part of the Royal Arms.

The specifications of the 2 Pence coin are:

Size: 25.91 mm; Metal Composition: Copper plated steel; Weight: 7.12 gms.

Obverse of the One Penny coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “JC” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the One Penny Coin showing a part of the Royal Arms.

The specifications of the One Pence coin are:

Size: 20.32 mm; Metal Composition: Copper plated steel; Weight: 3.56 gms.

Obverse of the Five Pence coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “JC” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the Five Pence Coin showing a part of the Royal Arms.

The specifications of the Five Pence coin are:

Size: 18.00 mm; Metal Composition: Copper plated steel; Weight: 3.25 gms. 

Obverse of the Twenty Pence coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “JC” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the Twenty Pence Coin showing a part of the Royal Arms.

The specifications of the Twenty Pence coin are:

Size: 21.40 mm; Metal Composition: Cupro-Nickel; Weight: 5.00 gms.

Obverse of the Fifty Pence coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “JC” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the Fifty Pence Coin showing a part of the Royal Arms.

The specifications of the Fifty Pence coin are:

Size: 27.30 mm; Metal Composition: Cupro-Nickel; Weight: 8.00 gms.

Obverse of the One Pound coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “JC” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

             Reverse of the One Pound Coin showing the Royal Arms.

The specifications of the One Pound coin are:

Size: 22.50 mm; Metal Composition: Nickel-Brass; Weight: 9.50 gms.

Obverse of the Two Pound coin bearing the legend “ELIZABETH II.DEI.GRA.REG.FID.DEF” & the year of issue as “2015”. The initials of the Designer “JC” are seen below the Queen’s bust.

Reverse of the Two Pound Coin showing a depiction of a helmeted Britannia carrying a trident and a shield.

The specifications of the Two Pound coin are:

Size: 28.40 mm; Metal Composition: Inner portion: Cupro-Nickel. Outer Ring: Nickel-Brass; Weight: 12.00 gms.

A photograph of Jody Clark, the Designer of the Fifth portrait of the Queen.

(The above sets are from the Collection of Jayant Biswas. Coins & images scanned and Post researched and written by Rajeev Prasad)



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