May 7, 2015 – The Royal Mint has revealed the design of the only official United Kingdom £5 coin to be struck to commemorate the safe arrival of a new baby sister to His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. The special coin has had the Royal seal of approval from Her Majesty the Queen and the child’s parents, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
United Kingdom / 2015 / £5 / 22 Carat Gold / 38.61mm / 39.94g / Reverse Designer: John Bergdahl / Obverse Designer: Jody Clark / Mintage: 500.
The identity of the designer has been revealed as experienced coinage artist John Bergdahl, who also designed the coin issued for the christening of Prince George in 2013. The obverse of the coin bears the new fifth portrait of The Queen by Jody Clark.
It is only the second time that a Royal Mint United Kingdom coin has celebrated the birth of a member of the Royal family with their official approval. The first – a silver £5 coin issued by The Royal Mint to mark the birth of Prince George on 22 July 2013 – was so popular that its mintage of 10,000 coins sold out within days.
The limited mintage Gold Proof (500) and Silver proof (9,500) editions of the new £5 coin, along with the unlimited Brilliant Uncirculated ‘mint condition’ versions, are likely to be just as popular.
Shane Bissett, Director of Commemorative Coin at the Royal Mint said at the time that the coin was announced: “The birth of a new Royal baby is a joyous occasion, not just for Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, but for the whole nation. It is only fitting that we commemorate this new addition to the Royal Family with the release of a special coin, just as we celebrated the arrival of Prince George.”
United Kingdom / 2015 / £5 / .925 Sterling Silver / 38.61mm / 28.28g / Reverse Designer: John Bergdahl / Obverse Designer: Jody Clark / Mintage: 9,500.
“This will be a special day for many mothers and fathers across the country too, as they welcome the arrival of their own new babies, which is why The Royal Mint is extending this historical moment to them with the gift of a lucky silver penny. Silver is closely associated with birth, as crossing the palm of a new born baby with silver is a way to wish them wealth and good health throughout their life.”
The coin design and its designer, John Bergdahl
Designed by experienced coinage artist John Bergdahl, the coin also bears the new portrait of The Queen by Jody Clark.
To welcome the latest addition to the Windsor family tree, John Bergdahl has created a coin that echoes his design for the christening of Prince George, issued in 2013. Traditional in nature, his coin bears a block cartouche topped with a coronet and features lilies, just as the coin for Prince George was adorned with details inspired by the Lily Font, used in the baptism of Royal children.
John Bergdahl is a sculptor who has undertaken a number of commissions for The Royal Mint, including Britannia in 2008, coins for the London 2012 Gold Series, the Mary Rose £2, the 500th Anniversary of the Accession of Henry VIII £5 and the Kilo coin for the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation.
More recently, the artist has been involved in creating designs for The Royal Mint’s programme of commemoration that has marked the centenary of the First World War, and the £2 coin for 2015 that celebrates the 800th Anniversary of Magna Carta.
To get to the website of The Royal Mint please click here.
We reported on the coin issued for the christening of Prince George in CoinsWeekly.
And if you like to see a video showing Kate and Prince William with their newborn child visit this website of the Guardian.