March 30th, 2011, marked the release of the Royal Australian Mint's commemorative coin celebrating the engagement of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Unlike the controversial United Kingdom Royal Mint commemorative coin released earlier this month, this coin has no renditions of the young couple.
The Royal Australian Mint's Coin
The Royal Australian Mint's offering of a Royal engagement commemorative coin shows a cluster of rose blooms, the traditional flower symbol of love, within a center medallion. Its design was approved by Queen Elizabeth 11 and designed by her personal jeweler, Stuart Devlin.
There are two renditions of the coin. The first is available now, a 50 cent collectible coin on a card. The price is $8.95 AU. The second has a gold plated central medallion and is available on April 4th. It can be pre-ordered for $175. AU. Coins can be purchased and pre-ordered online through the Royal Australian Mint's website.
The Controversial United Kingdom Royal Engagement Commemorative Coin
The United Kingdom's Royal Mint offering of a commemorative coin celebrating the engagement of Prince William and Catherine Middleton was not well-received by collectors. According to an article in The Guardian by Caroline Davis, the coin appears to have no resemblance to Catherine Middleton, has given here a pudgy nose and aged her.
Collectors can purchase a £5 coins in various metals with various price points from a coin in a presentation folder for as little as £9.99, to a silver proof coin for £55.50, a gold plated coin for £85, and a gold proof coin for £1500. All can be ordered from The Royal Mint.
The United Kingdom Royal Wedding Coin
The United Kingdom wedding coin was designed by Mark Richards of the Royal Society of British Sculptors. Both Kate Middleton and Prince William are pictured with smiling faces, facing each other.
The royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton is also celebrated with a commemorative coin, released on March 16th, 2011. Collectors can order online at the Royal Mint. Prices range from £9.99 up to £5,450.
The Royal Canadian Mint Wedding Coins
The Royal Canadian Mint's offerings are very unique. One has a colored portrait of the couple and the other has blue rhinestone embedded into the silver. The latter is a pure silver $20 piece. Both are available online at the Canada's Royal Mint.
The Falkland Islands Royal Commemorative Coin
The Falkland Islands' Pobjoy Mint has also issued a Royal Wedding Commemorative Coin. It shows a good rendition of the young couple. This commemorative coin is available in nickle for £10.79 and silver for £49.96.
The Royal Mint's Royalty Commemorative Coins
The United Kingdom's Royal Mint has a long history of celebrating the monarchy, but the first commemorative coin to be minted to celebrate a specific royal occasion was in honor of King George V Silver Jubilee in 1935. Since then, there have been many royal commemorative coins struck, including one to celebrate the wedding of Prince William's parents Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
Lorraine Syratt - Lorraine Syratt is a freelance writer, gardener and part-time antique dealer. Please see her full profile for more information.
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