The Royal couple united – for the first time also on a coin

June 23, 2011 – For the first time in UK history a reigning Monarch and Consort have appeared on opposite sides of a UK coin. In occasion of Prince Philip’s 90th birthday appear His Royal Highness The Prince Philip on one side, Her Majesty The Queen on the other.

The new coin is available in various qualities.

To mark his 90th birthday the Royal Mint has struck a coin featuring an intimate portrait of Prince Philip. While Her Majesty The Queen features on the obverse of every UK coin, this is the first time in UK history that a reigning Monarch and Consort have appeared on opposite sides of a UK coin. It is also the first time a sole image of the Prince, the longest serving consort in British royal history, has been seen on the reverse of a UK coin.

For the different specifications see below.

The commemorative 2011 GBP 5 coin features a new portrait of Prince Philip with his face profiled in close detail. The design is the second coin design by Mark Richards, who has previously designed the official UK GBP 5 commemorating the Royal Wedding in April this year. Like every UK coin, the design was seen in advance and approved personally by the Queen.

Of Prince Philip’s immediate family, Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, have all appeared on UK coins. The decision to include the Prince was driven by the significance not only of his birthday, but also by his prominent support and patronage of over 800 charities including WWF and the Chartered Society of Designers.

The coin was designed by Mark Richards, Fellow of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, who said: “The challenge for me, in creating this design, was to capture a man who gives great support to the monarch and the country, while remaining largely in the background. Therefore I have focused on a close-up of his face with all its accumulated dignity, wisdom and experience. As the coin is to celebrate his 90th birthday, an intimate and wonderful occasion, I felt it appropriate to show the Prince as a person, rather than in his formal role as consort to the head of state.”

Dr. Kevin Clancy, Director of the Royal Mint Museum said: “As the nation’s longest serving consort Prince Philip has played a hugely important role in modern British history. But he has also played a significant and longstanding part in the history of the Royal Mint, as President of the Royal Mint Advisory Committee for more than 40 years. Therefore we feel it’s only fitting that we, more than any other institution, commemorate such a memorable milestone as his 90th birthday.”

Coin specifications:

HRH Prince Philip BU GBP5 coin

HRH Prince Philip Silver Proof GBP 5 coin

HRH Prince Philip Silver Piedfort GBP 5 coin

HRH Prince Philip Gold Proof GBP 5 coin

HRH Prince Philip Piedfort Platinum Proof GBP 5 coin

For more information on the Royal Mint or on these coins take a look here.

His Royal Highness is famous for his “bon mots”, and some love him for this. The Guardian proposes a quiz, so check out how good you do know the princely remarks.