The Royal Mint announces its first ever engagement coin

The Royal Mint has revealed the official design of the £5 Alderney coin commemorating the engagement of Prince William to Catherine Middleton.

This is the first ever Royal Engagement coin produced during the long history of the Royal Mint and has been approved by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales.

The coin will now go into production at the Royal Mint’s manufacturing plant in Llantrisant, South Wales.

The Royal Mint spokesperson said: “The inspiration for the design came from photographs of the couple at a sporting event – the play on the traditional portrait is that Prince William is seen in profile, alluding to his Royal status.”

The Royal Mint has created many commemorative medals and coins to mark special occasions in honour of the British monarchy, but just as the engagement marks a new chapter in the Royal Household, this Royal Engagement £5 silver coin marks a first in the Royal Mint’s long history.

Dave Knight, director of commemorative coins commented: “The Royal Mint has been recording historical events for over 1100 years and we’re fortunate to be in a role that allows us to add to that legacy. The £5 Alderney coin we have designed is a wonderful way to celebrate and remember the start of Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s life together.”

The £5 Alderney coin produced to commemorate the engagement of Prince William and Catherine Middleton is available now to order from the Royal Mint’s website.

About the Royal Mint:
The Royal Mint has a history dating back over 1,000 years. By the late thirteenth century the organisation was based in the Tower of London, and remained there for over 500 years. By 1812, the Royal Mint had moved out of the Tower to premises on London’s Tower Hill. In 1967 the building of a new Royal Mint began on its current site in Llantrisant, South Wales.

There were estimated to be 28.4 billion United Kingdom coins in circulation at 31 March 2010, with a total face value of £3.9 billion – all manufactured by the Royal Mint.

1.2 billion United Kingdom coins were issued during 2009-10.

Of the higher denomination coins, it is the 20p piece that is most in demand – with more than 2.4 billion now in circulation.

PR contact:
Porter Novelli
31 St Petersburgh Place
London
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+44 (0)20 7853 2390
www.royalmint.com

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