The Royal Mint has issued a special limited-edition set of coins cast in platinum to commemorate the historic redesign of UK coinage set for 2008.

For the first time since decimalisation the legal tender coins of the United Kingdom will undergo a major design change. In the late spring of 2008 the nation will see new designs on the coinage, from the 1p to the £1, reflecting a more modern twenty-first century Britain.

To mark this watershed in numismatic history, and to commemorate the reverse designs that have served Britain well for almost 40 years, the Royal Mint is producing a limited-edition platinum Proof collection.

* This is the first time that these seven definitive coins have been struck in platinum

* Extremely low issue limit of 250 collections to be priced at £4995.00

Background & History

The introduction of the new decimal series of coins was no easy task 40 years ago. From settling the dimensions of the coins, to the creation of the designs, to their production by the Royal Mint it was a mammoth undertaking. Not only did the different denominations need to be readily distinguishable by sight and touch from each other, they also needed to avoid being confused with existing coins of the pre-decimal system.

As for their designs, a new portrait of the Queen by Arnold Machin RA had already been prepared and approved, while for the reverse designs it was announced in November 1966 that a public competition would be arranged. More than 80 artists took part and, from the 900 or so designs that were received, a series by Christopher Ironside was eventually approved, his designs drawing praise for the ‘lack of clutter’, a requirement that had been stressed in the creative brief.

Product Information

The Platinum Collection comprises seven coins bearing the definitive reverse designs, the portrait of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS on their obverse, and are all dated 2008. Each coin is struck in .9995 platinum to Proof quality. For such a magnificent collection, the Royal Mint has commissioned high-quality hand-crafted walnut veneer cases designed exclusively to house the platinum Proof coins. An informative booklet featuring a potted history of the iconic designs completes the presentation. Incorporated into each booklet is an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

For further information on the Emblems of Britain Collections please visit www.royalmint.com/emblems

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