The Royal Mint Reveals 2011 Commemorative Coin Themes

LONDON, Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Royal Mint has announced six new commemorative coins for 2011 along with details of the first Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated coin sets. The coming year will see the six commemorative coins added to the eight circulating coins that feature Matthew Dent's shield design.

2011 is a year of several unique and memorable anniversaries and promises to be an exciting one for coin collectors. Significantly, this year the commemorative coins include two 2 pounds Sterling coin designs as well as two 1 pound coins, a 50p coin and a 5 pound crown.

These new commemorative coins celebrate key events in British history and royal life: the first voyage of the Mary Rose, the 400th anniversary of the King James' Bible translation into English, the 50th anniversary of the WWF and Prince Philip's 90th birthday.  The two new 1 pound coins are the last in the 1 pound Cities series and celebrate the capital cities of Cardiff and Edinburgh.

Each of the new commemorative coins can be purchased individually from the Royal Mint. The six coins are also available as part of coin sets presented in a range of formats, each of which include information about the events the coins feature. There will be three sets with all coins struck to Proof quality and two sets struck to Brilliant Uncirculated quality*.

Commenting on the themes for next year Dave Knight, Director of Commemorative Coin at the Royal Mint, said: "The Royal Mint is very proud to commemorate these important anniversaries in 2011. I'm especially pleased to reveal the 5 pound crown celebrating HRH Prince Philip's 90th birthday celebration, who is a patron of the Royal Mint."  

The new themes for 2011 are steeped in history as is tradition with the Royal Mint's commemorative coins released each year.  

Notes to Editors:

* The HRH Prince Philip 5 pound coin is not included in the Brilliant Uncirculated coin sets.

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 28.2 billion UK coins in circulation at 31 March 2009, with a total face value of 3.6 billion pounds - all manufactured by the Royal Mint.

1.3 billion UK coins were issued during 2008-09.

SOURCE The Royal Mint