A new coin has been released by the Royal Mint to celebrate Princess Anne’s 75th birthday
The Royal Mint has today unveiled a new coin to honour Princess Anne for her 75th birthday.
It marks the first ever official UK coin to honour the Princess Royal, released to recognise her “remarkable lifetime of service”. The Royal Mint’s commemorative £5 piece, dubbed its “Anne-iversary coin”, was personally approved by the princess.
The new coin features a portrait of the King’s sister wearing the Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara with her hair swept up in her signature bouffant style.
It boasts the inscription “The Princess Royal – Celebrating 75 Years – Duty and Devotion”. Anne turns 75 on August 15, but so far has insisted her milestone should only be publicly marked by a charities forum she hosted at Buckingham Palace in June.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: “For the first time in British numismatic history, we are honoured to celebrate the Princess Royal on an official UK coin.
“Her Royal Highness’s unwavering commitment to public service, charitable work, and support of His Majesty’s armed forces over seven and a half decades makes her truly deserving of this tribute.”
To the right of the princess’s portrait is a depiction of her official coat of arms, and on the obverse is the King, who gave the creation its final sign-off in honour of his sister.
Thomas T Docherty, who designed the coin, said it reflected the princess’s “strength of character” and “understated elegance”.
The portrait of Anne’s head is based on a photograph of the princess taken by John Swannell, a Royal Photographic Society fellow, and shows her staring directly at the camera.
Mr Docherty said: “I wanted to capture Her Royal Highness’s remarkable legacy and dedication to public service. The portrait reflects her strength of character and unwavering commitment to duty.
“It was really by observing Princess Anne and looking at the role she plays within not only her family but the nation and the Commonwealth that formed inspiration for the design of the coin.
“She has, I would say, a kind of understated elegance and strength.”
Mr Docherty continued: “Being Scottish, I admire the Princess Royal’s dedication to Scottish organisations and communities, and I hope this coin serves as a fitting tribute.”
The commemorative coin is available to purchase from the Royal Mint’s website on July 18, costing £17.50 for the brilliant uncirculated edition.
Other versions of the £5 coin are also available, with a silver proof priced at £110, a silver proof piedfort costing £208, and gold proof for £4,110.
The coin is also being sold as part of three sets which also feature either a single George VI threepence or florin or multiple George VI coins from 1950, the year the princess was born, with the prices ranging from £25 to £4,500.