1836) 1,150th Anniversary of the Ascension of Alfred the Great, United Kingdom: Royal Mint UK has issued Cupro-nickel, Gold and Silver 5 Pound Coins (Crown Coins) to commemorate the milestone: Date of Coins release: 22.04.2021:
The Royal Mint, UK has released on 22.04.2021 new Gold and Silver 5 Pound Coins (Crown Coins) to mark 1,150 years since the accession and crowning of one of England’s most influential kings, who is recognised in history for setting a course of greatness for his realm.
King Alfred, later known as “the Great,” (c.849-899) was king of the West Saxons. He was not expected to succeed to the throne as he had three older brothers and was the youngest of the six known children of Aethelwulf, king of the West Saxons, who reigned from 839 to 858.
After his father’s death, Alfred’s three elder brothers all ruled in turn, though all dying on the throne and without leaving issue.
Aethelbald ruled from 855 to 860, Aethelberht ruled from 860 to 865, and Aethelred ruled from 865 until 871.
Upon the passing away of his last elder brother, Alfred became king.
Highlights of Alfred's reign:
The reign of King Alfred is remembered for many reasons, most especially for his ability to both defend and further his realm in terms of territory and giving greater meaning to Anglia.
Almost immediately after having become king, Alfred faced repeated Viking invasions but prevailed significantly when he forced his enemies to sign a treaty of peace known as Wedmore in 878.
In an effort to secure this peace and increase territory, Alfred began the task of building fortress towns and brought in militia loyal to the crown as well as strengthening military skills by arming local soldiers.
Alfred was also the first English King to build the country’s first navy.
Of specific interest to numismatists, the coins of Alfred’s reign were one of the first to state exactly where the coin was minted, notably in London, and are regarded as particularly significant in the history of the Royal Mint.
His unifying reign demonstrated far-sighted reform, piety, and wisdom, which historians believe built the foundations for the modern monarchy of today.
Alfred’s reign was most remarkable for the flourishing of learning that was associated with it. Several works were translated from Latin into Old English around this period, and some translations were even credited to the king himself.
Alfred was aware that many churches, before their ransacking, possessed great treasures of books, many of course written in Latin. To overcome the decline in learning, Alfred ruled that these works be translated into “the language that we can all understand and certain books which are the most necessary for all men to know.”
To further this royal request, an English translation of a work on leadership by Pope Gregory the Great (d.604) was sent to different centres, one of which was curiously accompanied with “a pointer worth 50 gold coins.”
"The Pointer is Unearthed" — A Chance Find:
The Header/Banner shows the Pointer ("Alfred Jewel') in the centre with the legend "AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWRCAN" (meaning "Alfred ordered me to be made"). The Reverses of the Gold & Silver 5 Pound Coins are seen at left. At right on top, is an image of the Alfred Penny, below which is a portrait of King Alfred himself
Known as “The Alfred Jewel,” it is a masterpiece of the goldsmith’s work of this era, steeped in history as the name of the monarch placed around the object makes it among the most precious of royal relics.
The ornament, about two-and-a-half inches (or 6.4 cm) long is in the form of a tear-drop shape and crafted with a gold filigree frame with an ornate edge.
The intricately detailed letters create the inscription “AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN” (“Alfred ordered me to be made”).
The frame surrounds a highly polished piece of quartz decorated with a pattern formed by pieces of enamel in various colours and separated by strips of flattened gold wire, this technique is known as “cloisonné.”
The image depicts the figure of a man with wide eyes, long locks of hair and with his two arms carrying stems flowering from a bulb. The jewel terminates in a stylised animal head, its jaws containing a rivet. The figure depicted is believed to be that of Alfred, if not perhaps a saint, and has been suggested the ornament was designed as an "aestel" — a pointer used for following written text.
This jewel was ploughed up in a field by chance in Somerset in the year 1691, otherwise, it was taken as lost. The land, known as “Parker’s Field,” was owned by Thomas Wroth and over time, the ornament came into the possession of Thomas’s guardian and uncle - Nathaniel Palmer.
In 1715, Palmer willed the jewel to Oxford University which later became part of the collection at the Ashmolean Museum, where it is permanently housed today.
Alfred is remembered as one of the great rulers in English history and the only English ruler to be called “Great".
Inspired by the craftsmanship represented as the pinnacle of Anglo-Saxon technological achievement :
The Reverse of the 5 Pound Coins features a design seen on the Alfred Jewel.
This coin's design by John Bergdahl has created an original interpretation that features a portrait of King Alfred which has been replicated from the image shown on the Alfred Jewel.
Aside from this spectacular ornament, Bergdhal took his inspiration from the original "Monogram Penny" of "Alfred the Great" and used punch lettering in his design to reflect the style of the period.
Above the primary design is the inscription "ALFRED THE GREAT 871," with the year of issue "2021" placed below.
On the coin’s edge, there is the inscription "AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN," which translates to “Alfred ordered me to be made,” taken from the lettering found on the Jewel.
The Obverse of the 5 Pounds Coins bears an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Jody Clark, whose initials "JC" appear below the Queen's neck.
The denomination "5 POUNDS" is part of the legend encircling the Queen’s effigy.
Tail-piece: The launch of the new commemorative coin comes just weeks after the Royal Mint’s Collector Services Division sold an original Alfred The Great Silver Monogram Penny (871-899) for the sum of £18,700.
The specifications of the various Variants are:
i) The specifications of the Gold Proof Coin are:
Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2021; Denomination/Face Value: 5 UKP (UK Pounds); Metal Composition: .9167 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 39.94 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.60 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 170 pieces; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes.
Remarks: The Gold Proof pieces are encapsulated and presented in a gloss-polished hardwood custom case, accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
ii) The specifications of the Silver Proof Coins are:
Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2021; Denomination/Face Value: 5 UKP (UK Pounds); Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 28.20 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.60 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 2,260 pieces; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes.
Remarks: The Silver Proof strikes are encapsulated and presented in a black branded custom case, accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
iii) The specifications of the Piedfort Silver Proof Coins are:
Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2021; Denomination/Face Value: 5 UKP (UK Pounds); Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 56.50 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.60 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 910 pieces; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes.
Remarks: The Silver Piedfort Proof strikes are encapsulated and presented in a black branded custom case, accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
iv) The specifications of the Cupro-nickel Coins are:
Country of issue: United Kingdom; Year: 2021; Denomination/Face Value: 5 UKP (UK Pounds); Metal Composition: Cupro-nickel (CuNi); Weight: 28.2 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.60 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mintage: Unlimited pieces.
Remarks: The Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Cupro-nickel coins are presented in a blister-pak type folder with illustrations and informative text about King Alfred and the 1,150th anniversary of his accession to the English throne.
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Myths & Legends Coin Series:
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