Copyright reserved by the author, Tony Clayton
v71 3rd September 2020
Decimal Two Pounds <<-- : -->> Post-1971 Gold Coins
Values of Decimal Crowns
Pictures of Decimal Crowns
Crown sized coins continue to be issued for major Royal events. As the crown had been five shillings before decimalisation, the denomination continued as 25 pence for the first ten years. Four issues were made between 1971 and 1981. A characteristic of all of these four 25p versions is that they have no indication of value, whereas the later 5 pound coins all do.
Weight: 28.28 grams, Diameter 38.61 mm; circulation issues are in cupronickel (75% Cu 25% Ni) although proofs are known in silver of unknown fineness (probably sterling silver).
Obverse: First Portrait, ELIZABETH II D.G.REG F.D.
Reverse: Crowned EP on floral arrangement.
ELIZABETH AND PHILIP above, 20 NOVEMBER 1947-1972 below
Proofs were issued in cupronickel and silver.
Obverse: Queen on Horseback, ELIZABETH II DG REG FD 1977
Reverse: Coronation Regalia with floral border. Crown above.
No Inscription.
Proofs were issued in cupronickel and silver.
Obverse: First Portrait, ELIZABETH II D.G.REG F.D.
Reverse: Head of Queen Mother with bows and lions (a pun on her maiden name, Bowes-Lyon)
QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER AUGUST 4th 1980
Proofs were issued in silver.
Obverse: First Portrait, ELIZABETH II D.G.REG F.D.
Reverse: Conjoined heads of Charles & Diana
H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES AND LADY DIANA SPENCER 1981
Proofs were issued in silver.
By 1990 inflation had meant that to issue a large coin at 25p would result in a large portion of the income being taken up in minting the coin, and the purchasing power of the first commemorative crown of 1935 was well over ten times that of 25p in 1990. As a result it was decided that future issues of crown sized coins would have a face value of five pounds. All such coins have the denomination clearly indicated.
It is a misnomer to call them crowns, however, as the crown has been five shillings since 1551. They are correctly referred to as crown-sized coins.
Weight: 28.28 grams, Diameter 38.61 mm, cupronickel, although silver and gold proofs are known.
Starting in 2009 the Royal Mint started to issue large numbers of Non-circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) crowns issued only in silver proof form for the London Olympics. Until I get further information from the Royal Mint I will not be listing these items.
While technically five pound coins are legal tender, banks are reluctant to accept them. Consequently traders are also likely to refuse them.
Obverse: Second Portrait, ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D above
FIVE POUNDS below
Reverse: Crown over two intertwined E's, rose & thistle
QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER 1900 1990
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in silver and gold.
Obverse: Small portrait of same design as 1960 crown, surrounded by trumpeters
and swords. ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID DEF above,
FIVE POUNDS below
Reverse: Crown within 40 radially aligned trumpets
FAITH AND TRUTH I WILL BEAR UNTO YOU 1953-1993
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold.
Obverse: Second Portrait, ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D above
FIVE POUNDS below (portrait slightly larger than in 1990, and no beading at the rim)
Reverse: Flags flying with Windsor Castle behind.
One flag inscribed 1926, another 1996. Also Royal Standard, Union Jack
and the Queen's personal flag.
Edge: VIVAT REGINA ELIZABETHA
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold.
Obverse: Conjoined portraits of the Queen & Prince Philip
ELIZABETH II D G REG F D to the left, PHILIP PRINCEPS to the right.
Reverse: Royal Arms and Coat of Arms of Prince Philip. St Edwards Crown
above and anchor below
20 NOVEMBER 1947 1997 FIVE POUNDS
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 1998 around
Reverse: A portrait of The Prince of Wales against a background relating
to the work of The Prince's Trust.
FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY OF HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES above,
1948 FIVE POUNDS 1998 below
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 1999 around
Reverse: A portrait of Diana Princess of Wales facing right, by David Cornell.
IN MEMORY OF DIANA PRINCESS OF WALES around,
1961 1997 to the right, FIVE POUNDS below
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 1999 around
Reverse: Clock face showing time as midnight. Map of GB &
Ireland, arranged so that Greenwich is at the centre of
the clock; ANNO DOMINI below, 1999 2000 FIVE POUNDS around.
Edge: WHAT'S PAST IS PROLOGUE
Proofs were issued in silver and gold.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2000 around
Reverse: Clock face showing time as midnight. Map of GB &
Ireland, arranged so that Greenwich is at the centre of
the clock; ANNO DOMINI below, 1999 2000 FIVE POUNDS around.
Edge: WHAT'S PAST IS PROLOGUE
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold. The silver proof has the British Isles highlighted in gold.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2000 around
Reverse: Clock face showing time as midnight. Map of GB &
Ireland, arranged so that Greenwich is at the centre of
the clock; ANNO DOMINI below, 1999 2000 FIVE POUNDS around.
Mint mark: Globe at 3 o'clock
Edge: WHAT'S PAST IS PROLOGUE
Only issued in the Millennium Dome (in a presentation folder) at a premium.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2000 around
Reverse: Portrait of the Queen Mother, facing left. QUEEN ELIZABETH THE
QUEEN MOTHER around, 1900 - 2000 FIVE POUNDS inside, signature 'Elizabeth R' below.
Crowds waving flags behind.
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in silver and gold. A silver piedfort proof was also issued.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2001 around
Reverse: Wyon head of Victoria in V representing railway lines
with representation of Crystal Palace around. 1901 2001
above, 5 POUNDS to low left. Designed by Mary Milner Dickens
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold. The silver and gold proofs were also issued with reverse frosting
in sets that included historical sovereigns.
Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II mounted on a horse.
ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REGINA FID DEF
AMOR POPULI PRAESIDIUM REG around, 2002 and coat of arms below
(The love of the People is the Queen's Protection)
Reverse: Portrait of the Queen, FIVE POUNDS below.
Designed by Ian Rank-Broadley
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D around , FIVE POUNDS below.
Reverse: Portrait of Queen Mother, QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER around.
1900-2002 below.
Designed by Avril Vaughan, widow of John Lobban (see two pound coins)
Edge: STRENGTH DIGNITY LAUGHTER
Proofs were issued in silver and gold.
Obverse: Fourth Portrait, ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F D around.
Reverse: Central motif GOD SAVE THE QUEEN, CORONATION JUBILEE FIVE POUNDS 2003 around.
Both sides designed by Tom Phillips, C.B.E., R.A..
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D around, FIVE POUNDS below.
Reverse: 1904 ENTENTE 2004 CORDIALE around, conjoined Britannia and the Sower.
Edge: Milled
The decision to issue this coin was too late for it to be included in the Royal Mint Proof Sets.
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold. Silver and platinum piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D around, FIVE POUNDS below.
Reverse: The VICTORY and the TEMERAIRE, TRAFALGAR below, 1805 and 2005 above. The inscription is incuse rather than raised. Designed by Clive Duncan
Edge: Milled (cupronickel) ENGLAND EXPECTS THAT EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY (silver and gold)
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold. Silver piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D around, FIVE POUNDS below. (not confirmed)
Reverse: Nelson facing, HORATIO NELSON above, 1805 to left, 2005 to right. Designed by James Butler
Edge: Milled (cupronickel) ENGLAND EXPECTS THAT EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY (silver, gold and platinum)
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold. Silver and platinum piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D around, FIVE POUNDS below.
Reverse: Three trumpets with banners, 1926 VIVAT REGINA 2006 above. Designed by Danuta Solowiej-Wedderburn.
Edge: Milled (cupronickel) DUTY SERVICE FAITH (other)
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold. Silver (with gold plating) and platinum piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Conjoined portrait of the Queen and Prince Philip. ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG F D PHILIP PRINCEPS around. Designed by Ian Rank-Broadley.
Reverse: Rose window of Westminster Abbey, TVEATVR VNITA DEVS above (translated as 'May God guard these united'), 1947 FIVE POUNDS 2007 below.
Designed by Emma Noble.
Edge: Milled (cupronickel) MY STRENGTH AND STAY (other)
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold. Silver and platinum piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D around, FIVE POUNDS below.
Reverse: Queen Elizabeth I crowned, set within a Mandorla created by
four decorative arches; Tudor roses at the connecting points. ELIZABETH REGINA above,
MDLVIII MMVIII below. Designed by Rod Kelly.
Edge: Milled (cupronickel) I HAVE REIGNED WITH YOUR LOVES (other)
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold. Silver and platinum piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D around, FIVE POUNDS below.
Reverse: Portrait of Charles right, THE PRINCE OF WALES above,
1948 ICH DIEN 2008 below. Designed by Ian Rank-Broadley.
Edge: Milled (cupronickel) SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY (other)
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold. Silver and platinum piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2009 around.
Reverse: Facing Portrait of Henry standing, HR to each side, THE ACCESSION OF HENRY VIII 1509 above, FIVE POUNDS below.
Designed by John Bergdahl.
Edge: Milled (cupronickel) ROSA SINE SPINA (other)
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold. Silver and platinum piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D above, FIVE POUNDS below.
Reverse: Design depicting swimmers, overlaid with a digital 3, COUNTDOWN above, XXX OLYMPIAD below, 2009 to the right
Designed by Claire Aldridge.
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in silver and gold. Silver piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2010.
Reverse: Design depicting a crown over 1660 over oak leaves around two intertwined C's below, RESTORATION OF THE MONARCHY above, FIVE POUNDS below
Designed by David Cornell
Edge: Milled (cupronickel) A QUIET AND PEACEFUL POSSESSION (other)
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold. Silver and platinum piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D above, FIVE POUNDS below.
Reverse: Design depicting runners, overlaid with a digital 2, COUNTDOWN above, 2010 and XXX OLYMPIAD below
Designed by Claire Aldridge.
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in silver and gold. Silver piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REGINA FID DEF.
Reverse: Profile of Prince Philip, PRINCE PHILIP 90TH BIRTHDAY FIVE POUNDS 2011 incuse on a narrow border around.
Designed by Mark Richards
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in cupronickel, silver and gold. Silver and platinum piedfort proofs were also issued (to be confirmed).
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D above, FIVE POUNDS below.
Reverse: Design depicting a cyclist, overlaid with a digital 1, COUNTDOWN above, 2011 to left and XXX OLYMPIAD below
Designed by Claire Aldridge.
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in silver and gold. Silver piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Fourth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D FIVE POUNDS.
Reverse: 1953 portrait used on pre-decimal coins, 2012 behind, DIRIGE DEVS GRESSVS MEOS in front.
Designed by Ian Rank Broadley
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in gold, gold-plated silver and silver, some with edge inscription A VOW MADE GOOD.
Silver and platinum piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Third Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D above, FIVE POUNDS below.
Reverse: Design depicting three medal winners on a podium, COUNTDOWN and 2012 above and XXX OLYMPIAD below
Designed by Claire Aldridge.
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in silver and gold. Silver piedfort proofs were also issued.
Obverse: Fourth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D FIVE POUNDS 2012.
Reverse: London skyline, LONDON 2012 above, Olympic symbol and sports around.
Designed by Saiman Miah
Edge: Milled
Proofs were issued in gold-plated silver.
Obverse: Fourth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D FIVE POUNDS 2012.
Reverse: Circular design representing Big Ben (London), stopwatch (speed), target (accuracy) and wheel (manoeuvrability).
Designed by Pippa Sanderson
Edge: Milled
Piedfort Proofs were issued in silver.
Obverse: Fourth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D FIVE POUNDS 2013.
Reverse: Imperial State Crown, A VOW MADE GOOD TO REIGN AND SERVE.
Designed by Emma Noble
Edge: Milled
Obverse: Fourth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D above, FIVE POUNDS below.
Reverse: Ornate crowned frame, To celebrate the christening of PRINCE GEORGE of CAMBRIDGE 2013 within.
Designed by John Bergdahl
Edge: Milled
Obverse: Fourth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D FIVE POUNDS 2014 around
Reverse: Portrait of Queen Anne in ornate frame, QUEEN ANNE DEI GRATIA 1665-1714 above.
Designed by Mark Richards FRBS
Edge: Milled
Obverse: Fourth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D FIVE POUNDS 2015 around
Reverse: Duke of Wellington shaking hands with General Blucher, THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO above, 1815 below.
Designed by David Lawrence
Edge: Milled
Obverse: Fourth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D FIVE POUNDS 2015 around
Reverse: Portrait of Sir Winston Churchill, CHURCHILL to the right
Designed by Mark Richards FRBS
Edge: Milled
Obverse: Fifth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 5 POUNDS around
Reverse: Ornate frame inscribed The Duke and Duchess of CAMBRIDGE, 2015 below,
TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF THE SECOND CHILD OF around.
Designed by John Bergdahl
Edge: Milled
Obverse: Fifth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 5 POUNDS around
Reverse: St. George and the Dragon, 2015 high right
Designed by Christopher Le Brun
Edge: Milled
Silver Proof only
Obverse: Fifth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 5 POUNDS around
Reverse: Ornate crowned frame, To celebrate the christening of PRINCE CHARLOTTE of CAMBRIDGE 2015 within.
Designed by John Bergdahl
Edge: Milled
Silver and Gold Proofs only
Obverse: New Portrait, ELIZABETH II DEI GRA REG F D FIVE POUNDS around
Designed by James Butler
Reverse: Crown, 1952 2015 above, ONE CROWN below
Designed by James Butler
Edge: Milled
Obverse: Fifth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 5 POUNDS 2016 around
Reverse: Ornate crowned frame, E II R 90 within.
Designed by Christopher Hobbs
Edge: Milled
Silver and Gold Proofs only
Obverse: Fifth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF 5 POUNDS around
Reverse: Representation of King Canute, to the right 1017/King/Canute/2017.
Designed by Lee R. Jones
Edge: Milled
Obverse: Fifth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF 5 POUNDS around
Reverse: Representation of Windsor Castle within wreath with crown above, CENTENARY OF THE HOUSE OF WINDSOR around, 2017 below
Designed by Timothy Noad
Edge: Milled
Obverse: Fifth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF 5 POUNDS around
Reverse: Representation of St. George and the Dragon, 2018 below
Designed by Jody Clark
Edge: Milled
Obverse: Fifth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 5 POUNDS 2020 around
Reverse: Representation of the Technical Advances during her reign.
Designed by John Bergdahl
Edge: Milled
Obverse: Fifth Portrait, ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 5 POUNDS 2020 around
Reverse: Portrait of George III, crown above, monogram below, Windsor Castle left,
Royal Observatory right.
Designed by Dominique Evans
Edge: Milled
In addition, at least 18 London 2012 Olympics issues were made between 2009 and 2012, but as all were issued as proofs only, they are not listed here. Also there is an increasing tendency to issue special five pound coins only as silver proofs. A series representing royal beasts is in the process of being issued.
Five pound coins issued by Alderney, Gibraltar or Tristan da Cunha (TDC) are not listed here - it is often not made clear in advertisements that these are not UK coins and only legal tender in the country of issue.
See my Main Coins Index page for acknowledgements
I am grateful to Phil McLoughlin for the information regarding Avril Vaughan.
Decimal Two Pounds <<-- : -->> Post-1971 Gold Coins
Main Index
Values Index
Values of Decimal Crowns.
Pictures Index
Pictures of Decimal Crowns
Decimal Coins of the the UK - Decimal Crowns
Copyright reserved by the author, Tony Clayton
v71 3rd September 2020