885) The "Tower of London Coin Series" issued by the Royal Mint, UK: A Four Coin Series covering Four five pound Coins featuring The Raven, The Crown Jewels, The Yeoman Warders and the Ceremony of the Keys (all coins dated 2019):
The Royal Mint, UK is issuing a set of commemorative coins dated 2019 to bring to life the story of London's imposing royal palace and fortress - "The Tower of London".
Titled the "The Tower of London Coin Collection" - which was released earlier in 2018, this collection features four 5 Pound coins and a few 10 Pounds Gold Coins, detailing different aspects of the 1,000 year old Tower of London, which has stood on the North Bank of the River Thames in the heart of London for nearly a millennium - dating to the conquest by the Normans in the 11th Century.
After its completion around 1078, it was used primarily as a royal residence, though it became notorious for its role as a prison from the beginning of the 12th Century and ending with the Kray twins, the infamous gangsters who were held overnight in 1952.
The Tower also once housed London's mint and the Crown Jewels.
Each one of the four commemorative coins being issued depicts a different facet of the Tower of London's history. Together, the coins tell the story of this historic stone fortress and the ancient ceremonies that still take place within its walls.
The background of each coin's reverse depicts a different part of a diagram of the palace's perimeter wall:
The Reverse of the first coin (5 Pounds Cu-Nickel & Silver & 10 Pounds Gold) depicts a raven superimposed over a portion of the perimeter wall.
Depicting a raven evokes the story of King Bran Hen of Bryneich or "Bran the Blessed". ("Bran" is a Welsh word meaning "raven").
I have this interesting story from "The Encyclopaedia - Celtic Wisdom" - by Caitlin & John Matthews in my personal library:
".... The great British God King Bendigeld Bran (Bran the Blessed) who ruled Powys in North Wales, after some outrageous behaviour towards his sister Branwen by her Irish in-laws, went with a raiding party to Ireland in order to rescue her. During the ensuing conflict, most of the British are slain, with only seven remaining.
Mortally wounded, Bran instructs his followers to behead him and to bury the hea at the White Mount (the present site of the Tower of London) there to act as a palladium against invasion. On their way to perform this sacred errand, the followers sohourn for a period of 87 years at two other-worldly locations, where the head of Bran speaks to them and is as coherent as it was during life. Unaware of the passage of time, they remain thus in seclusion until one of their number opens a forbidden door and all the sorrows they have endured return to memoray. Time resumes its mundane passage and the head of Bran is subsequently buried.
This legendary story has a strong traditional continuum which becomes comprehensible if we realise that the British word "bran" means "raven".
The present folklore of the Tower of London proclaims that its resident ravens represent the sovereignty of Britain still; that if the ravens leave the Tower, then the British monarchy will fall. Bran's head watches still.
….. The widespread tradition of oracular heads in Celtic myth points to a long practice of shamanic divination by means of a seer consulting the head of an ancestor, which retains memory and ancestral continuance."
Niches for severed heads and heads carved in stone are a common Celtic feature which symbolise the ancestors watching over the safety and well-being of present generations and which also represent "consultations" with the ancestors.
There is an interesting follow up to this legend of King Bran - in the 17th Century King Charles II's court astronomer complained of the ravens in the Tower, but Charles not only chose to allow them to remain but required by decree that at least six ravens should be present in the Tower, fearing the end of the Kingdom that King Bryneich prophesised should the ravens leave.
Till this day, the staff of the Tower of London keep seven ravens because of this decree and the warning entailed in the prophesy.
The legend of the Raven is the first coin in the Tower of London Coin Series
The Reverse of the second of the Tower of London Commemorative coins depicts a member of the "Yeoman Warders" (also known as "beefeaters"), the ceremonial guards of the Tower. A Yeoman Warder stands at attention on a parapet - axe in hand - wearing the traditional 16th Century garb that identifies the warders to this day.
The Royal Mint, UK is issuing a set of commemorative coins dated 2019 to bring to life the story of London's imposing royal palace and fortress - "The Tower of London".
Titled the "The Tower of London Coin Collection" - which was released earlier in 2018, this collection features four 5 Pound coins and a few 10 Pounds Gold Coins, detailing different aspects of the 1,000 year old Tower of London, which has stood on the North Bank of the River Thames in the heart of London for nearly a millennium - dating to the conquest by the Normans in the 11th Century.
After its completion around 1078, it was used primarily as a royal residence, though it became notorious for its role as a prison from the beginning of the 12th Century and ending with the Kray twins, the infamous gangsters who were held overnight in 1952.
The Tower also once housed London's mint and the Crown Jewels.
The background of each coin's reverse depicts a different part of a diagram of the palace's perimeter wall:
Depicting a raven evokes the story of King Bran Hen of Bryneich or "Bran the Blessed". ("Bran" is a Welsh word meaning "raven").
I have this interesting story from "The Encyclopaedia - Celtic Wisdom" - by Caitlin & John Matthews in my personal library:
".... The great British God King Bendigeld Bran (Bran the Blessed) who ruled Powys in North Wales, after some outrageous behaviour towards his sister Branwen by her Irish in-laws, went with a raiding party to Ireland in order to rescue her. During the ensuing conflict, most of the British are slain, with only seven remaining.
Mortally wounded, Bran instructs his followers to behead him and to bury the hea at the White Mount (the present site of the Tower of London) there to act as a palladium against invasion. On their way to perform this sacred errand, the followers sohourn for a period of 87 years at two other-worldly locations, where the head of Bran speaks to them and is as coherent as it was during life. Unaware of the passage of time, they remain thus in seclusion until one of their number opens a forbidden door and all the sorrows they have endured return to memoray. Time resumes its mundane passage and the head of Bran is subsequently buried.
This legendary story has a strong traditional continuum which becomes comprehensible if we realise that the British word "bran" means "raven".
The present folklore of the Tower of London proclaims that its resident ravens represent the sovereignty of Britain still; that if the ravens leave the Tower, then the British monarchy will fall. Bran's head watches still.
….. The widespread tradition of oracular heads in Celtic myth points to a long practice of shamanic divination by means of a seer consulting the head of an ancestor, which retains memory and ancestral continuance."
Niches for severed heads and heads carved in stone are a common Celtic feature which symbolise the ancestors watching over the safety and well-being of present generations and which also represent "consultations" with the ancestors.
There is an interesting follow up to this legend of King Bran - in the 17th Century King Charles II's court astronomer complained of the ravens in the Tower, but Charles not only chose to allow them to remain but required by decree that at least six ravens should be present in the Tower, fearing the end of the Kingdom that King Bryneich prophesised should the ravens leave.
Till this day, the staff of the Tower of London keep seven ravens because of this decree and the warning entailed in the prophesy.
The legend of the Raven is the first coin in the Tower of London Coin Series
The Warders conduct ceremonies such as the "Ceremony of the Keys" (commemorated on another of the Tower of London Coins) and gives guided tours. There have been around 37 warders since 2011.
The common specifications/features of all the four coins in the Tower of London Coin Series:
The commemorative coins are available in three variants - Cupro-Nickel, .999 Fineness Silver (Ag) and .9999 Fineness Gold (Au).
The cupro-nickel coin weighs 28.28 grams and has a diameter of 38.61 mm; The 10 Pounds Gold Coin weighs 156.30 grams and its diameter is 50 mm;
Denomination: 5 Pounds and 10 Pounds.
Coin Quality: Cupro-Nickel - Brilliant Uncirculated, Silver - Proof; Gold - Proof.
Weight: Silver - 1 or 5 Ounces; Gold 1/4, 1 and 5 Ounces.
Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Reverse designer: Glyn Davies.
Mint: Royal Mint, UK.
Year engraved on coins: 2019.
Release dates of Coins: Raven (Dec 2018), The Crown Jewels (and display folder - March 2019), The Yeoman Warders (June 2019), The Ceremony of the Keys (August 2019).
Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories:
Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Reverse designer: Glyn Davies.
Mint: Royal Mint, UK.
Year engraved on coins: 2019.
Release dates of Coins: Raven (Dec 2018), The Crown Jewels (and display folder - March 2019), The Yeoman Warders (June 2019), The Ceremony of the Keys (August 2019).
Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories:
Central Bank of Ireland issues:
17) The Siren: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A silver Double crown (Four Pounds) : First coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures) issued by the Pobjoy Mint UK on 03.04.2018
18) The Minotaur: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT):A Silver Double crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Second Coin in the Series titled :Mythical Creatures: issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 15.06.2018
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
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
1) Jonathan Swift: 350th Birth Anniversary 15 Euro Silver Proof coin features his most famous work "Gulliver's Travels" : Coin issued on 30.11.2017
2) Ireland: Women's right to Vote - 100th Year Anniversary : A Silver 15 Euro Proof Collector Coin issued by the Central Bank of Ireland on 27.11.2018
Northern Ireland Bank issues:
1) Northern Ireland Polymer Bank Issues: Danske Bank (10 Pounds Polymer Banknotes), Bank of Ireland (5 & 10 Pound Polymer Banknotes) to go into circulation in 2020/21
Bank of England Banknotes:
1) A Ten Pounds Banknote issued on Charles Dickens (Writer) also depicting a cricket match from his novel "The Pickwick Papers"
2) A Ten Pound Banknote issued on Charles Darwin (English Naturalist) also depicting the HMS Beagle, Darwin's magnifying glass, a humming-bird & flora that he may have seen on his voyage.
3) A Five Pounds Banknote issued on George Stephenson (an Engineer) also depicting "Rocket" his Railway Locomotive and Skeene Bridge on the Stockton Darlington Railway (1825) - since withdrawn
6) Jane Austen: features on the second circulating Polymer Banknote of 10 Pounds denomination to be released on 14.09.2017
Inspirations from Scottish History (Clydesdale Bank Banknotes):
1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes
2) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote
Banknotes from Bank of Scotland:
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
13) Currency of the Falkland Islands: A British Overseas Territory (BOT) Pounds & Pence
14) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The first Coin in the Series of four coins: the Rock-Hopper Penguin
15) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The Gentoo Penguin:Second Coin in the series of four coins issued on 20.06.2017
2) Ireland: Women's right to Vote - 100th Year Anniversary : A Silver 15 Euro Proof Collector Coin issued by the Central Bank of Ireland on 27.11.2018
Northern Ireland Bank issues:
1) Northern Ireland Polymer Bank Issues: Danske Bank (10 Pounds Polymer Banknotes), Bank of Ireland (5 & 10 Pound Polymer Banknotes) to go into circulation in 2020/21
Bank of England Banknotes:
1) A Ten Pounds Banknote issued on Charles Dickens (Writer) also depicting a cricket match from his novel "The Pickwick Papers"
2) A Ten Pound Banknote issued on Charles Darwin (English Naturalist) also depicting the HMS Beagle, Darwin's magnifying glass, a humming-bird & flora that he may have seen on his voyage.
3) A Five Pounds Banknote issued on George Stephenson (an Engineer) also depicting "Rocket" his Railway Locomotive and Skeene Bridge on the Stockton Darlington Railway (1825) - since withdrawn
6) Jane Austen: features on the second circulating Polymer Banknote of 10 Pounds denomination to be released on 14.09.2017
Inspirations from Scottish History (Clydesdale Bank Banknotes):
1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes
2) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote
Banknotes from Bank of Scotland:
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
13) Currency of the Falkland Islands: A British Overseas Territory (BOT) Pounds & Pence
14) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The first Coin in the Series of four coins: the Rock-Hopper Penguin
15) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The Gentoo Penguin:Second Coin in the series of four coins issued on 20.06.2017
17) The Siren: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A silver Double crown (Four Pounds) : First coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures) issued by the Pobjoy Mint UK on 03.04.2018
18) The Minotaur: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT):A Silver Double crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Second Coin in the Series titled :Mythical Creatures: issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 15.06.2018
19) The Isle of Man: A British Crown Dependency (BCD) Coinage: A newly introduced Collector's circulation Currency Coinage Collector's set received from the Tower Mint, London, UK issued in April 2017
20) Pegasus: British Virgin Islands: A gold Bullion Coin of $100 issued by Pobjoy Mint on belalf of British Virgin Islands in July 2018
21) "The Hydra": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High Relief Coin with Antique Finish: Third Coin in the Series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 07.08.2018
22) "Medusa The Gorgon": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Fourth Coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint UK on behalf of BIOT in 09/2018
The Queen's Beasts Coin Series, UK, issues:
1) Lion of England - First Coin in the Series issued in March 2016
20) Pegasus: British Virgin Islands: A gold Bullion Coin of $100 issued by Pobjoy Mint on belalf of British Virgin Islands in July 2018
21) "The Hydra": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High Relief Coin with Antique Finish: Third Coin in the Series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 07.08.2018
22) "Medusa The Gorgon": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Fourth Coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint UK on behalf of BIOT in 09/2018
The Queen's Beasts Coin Series, UK, issues:
Famous Battles:
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
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
The Queen's Beasts Coin Series, UK issues:
Links: Postage Stamps:
12) Owls: A set of 10 Stamps depicting five Owls - Barn Owl (Tyto alba), Little Owl (Athene noctua), Tawny Owl (Strix aluco), Short eared Owl (Asio flammeus) and Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) issued by the Royal Mail Uk on 11.05.2018
13) Reintroduced Species: A set of six stamps issued by the royal Mail, UK depicting UK's successfully restored wildlife including the Osprey, Eurasian Beaver, Pool Frog, Sand Lizard, Large Blue Butterfly and Stinking Hawk's-beard species on 17.04.2018
13) Reintroduced Species: A set of six stamps issued by the royal Mail, UK depicting UK's successfully restored wildlife including the Osprey, Eurasian Beaver, Pool Frog, Sand Lizard, Large Blue Butterfly and Stinking Hawk's-beard species on 17.04.2018
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