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From a limited edition presentation of just 125, this addition to the 2020 Tower of London collection reflects the ancient fortress’ role as a place of imprisonment. The Infamous Prison design by Timothy Noad is here struck on 39.94 grams of 22 carat gold. Offered in an unbeatable Proof finish, this Five Pound gold coin is both VAT and Capital Gains Tax free. Receive your 2020 Tower of London The Infamous Prison £5 Gold Proof Crown in it is original packaging from The Royal Mint, in collaboration with Historic Royal Palaces. Also included is an information booklet and a numbered certificate of authenticity,
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This 2020 Five Pound Gold Proof coin tells the bloody history of the Tower of London's role as a prison: an intriguing addition to this collection from The Royal Mint.
The 2020 Tower of London Collection
The 2020 Tower of London The Infamous Prison £5 Gold Proof Crown is part of the second release in a popular collaboration between The Royal Mint and Historic Royal Palaces. This collection celebrates some of the various functions the ancient fortress has served down the centuries.
Four designs were offered as part of the 2020 Collection: The Royal Mint, The Royal Menagerie, The White Tower and The Infamous Prison. Coins in this collectible series have been issued in Gold Proof - like this example - as well as Brilliant Uncirculated and Silver Proof editions.
Inside the World's Toughest Prison
While the Tower of London was furnished as a luxurious royal residence, it was also used for centuries to contain high profile prisoners. While royal and noble prisoners might be kept in relative comfort - deprived only of their liberty - unlucky prisoners were tortured.
Despite the Tower's reputation for gruesome punishments, only seven people were executed in the Tower before the twentieth century. This number included three English Queens: Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey. The last Tower execution took place in August 1941.
The Mystery of the Princes in the Tower
Among the most famous prisoners held in the Tower of London were Edward V and his younger brother Richard. They were sent there by their uncle who would become Richard III after the boys disappeared without a trace. Two small skeletons were discovered in the Tower centuries later.
Victorian tourists were entranced by the gothic tale of the Princes as well as many other gruesome stories from the Tower's long history. It's this unmatched reputation for horror that inspires the 2020 Tower of London The Infamous Prison £5 Gold Proof Crown which bears the edge inscription 'THE INFAMOUS PRISON'.
My Libertie Denied: Timothy Noad's Reverse
Timothy Noad's reverse for the 2020 Tower of London The Infamous Prison £5 Gold Proof Crowns a subtle evocation of the Tower's chilling past.
Noad is known for his medieval-style calligraphy and illuminations. For this design he has been inspired by the extensive graffiti found at the tower. His Infamous Prison reverse features an extract from an anonymous inscription, found in the Bell Tower which reads: ‘BY TORTURE STRANGE MY TROUTH WAS TRIED YET OF MY LIBERTIE DENIED'.
The lettering - rendered in a Tudor font - is set against the image of a Norman-style window: a unifying feature of coins in the 2020 Tower of London collection.
A Gold Five Pound Proof Coin
Timothy Noad's reverse is paired with Jody Clark's fifth definitive portrait of Elizabeth II. The obverse also features the denomination: ‘FIVE POUNDS'. As this coin is legal tender in the UK, the 2020 Tower of London The Infamous Prison £5 Gold Proof Crown is Capital Gains Tax exempt. The gold content of this piece means that it is also VAT free in the UK.
The 2020 Tower of London The Infamous Prison £5 Gold Proof Crown is composed of 39.94 grams of 22 carat gold. That's a fineness of 916.7. The pure gold content of this piece is 36.61 grams or 1.1771 troy ounces. Struck to proof standard, you are guaranteed a beautiful piece, made to be appreciated.
A Collectible Coin from The Royal Mint
Whether the 2020 Tower of London The Infamous Prison £5 Gold Proof Crown completes your collection of Tower of London coins or represents your first purchase, we think this is an excellent addition.
This series reminds us of everything we love about collectible coins from The Royal Mint: a rich history, great designs from top artists and an unmatched attention to detail. As one of only 125 issued, its worth picking this piece up now.
Your 2020 Tower of London The Infamous Prison £5 Gold Proof Crown comes in its original The Royal Mint presentation box with an informative booklet and a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Product Summary
Product Code:
UK20IPGP
Stock Remaining:
0
Metal:
Gold
Precious Metal Content:
36.61 (g)
Material:
Gold
Monarch:
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Denomination:
£5 / Five Pound
Country:
United Kingdom
Finish:
Proof
VAT Status:
Exempt
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
Weight:
39.94g
New / Pre-owned:
New
Condition:
Proof - Boxed with certificate of authenticity
Diameter:
38.61mm
One of four designs in the 2020 Tower of London Collection
Produced in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces
Limited edition presentation of just 125
Minted to finest Proof standard
Five Pound face value
39.94 grams of 22 carat gold (916.7 fineness)
Reverse inspired by real Tudor graffiti
Designed by calligrapher and medallist Timothy Noad
Paired with Jody Clark's portrait of Elizabeth II
Offered with original packaging from The Royal Mint
Steeped in more than 1,100 years of history, The Royal Mint supplies all of the United Kingdom's coinage as well as currency for nations around the world. Renown for craftsmanship and thoughtful design, The Royal Mint also produces commemorative coins, favoured by investors and collectors.
A Millennia of Minting
Founded in the reign of Alfred the Great, around the year 886, The Royal Mint was originally one of several mints which were centralised to London in 1279. For more than 800 years the Mint was based at the Tower of London before moving to Royal Mint Court where it remained until the 1960s.
The Royal Mint has always been on the forefront of economic, technical and artistic innovation. Its skilled craftsmen minted coins that would reach the far corners of the British Empire, establishing the image and reputation of Britain for all whose pockets they ended up in.
In 2010 The Royal Mint became a limited company owned by Her Majesty’s Treasury. In recent years the Mint has struck medals for the 2012 London Olympic Games and opened a visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, in Llantrisant, Wales: the current home of The Royal Mint.
Collecting and Investing
The Royal Mint's commemorative and bullion coins – often minted to mark important national events and anniversaries – are not intended for circulation. They might look like ordinary coins but they are generally worth much more, thanks to their scarcity, finish and composition.
Most commemorative coins produced by The Royal Mint are available in a range of striking standards including Gold Proof, Silver Proof, Brilliant Uncirculated and Bullion. Some are also available in collectors sets. Gold and Silver Proof coins are minted in small numbers, making them rare and desirable.
The Royal Mint's commemorative coins are both VAT-free and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt, making them an attractive and valuable investment. Whether you are diversifying your investments or simply appreciate world-class design, commemorative coins from The Royal Mint are a great buy.
The Royal Mint at The Britannia Coin Company
The Britannia Coin Company is proud to stock official commemorative coins from The Royal Mint as well as a wide range of historic Royal Mint coinage. We offer unbeatable value on The Royal Mint coins, backed by our reputation for honesty and integrity, built over more than a decade of trading.
Buy and sell coins with confidence when you use The Britannia Coin Company of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
Buy Collectable Coins Online
We offer a wide range of collectable and investment coins in pre-owned and brand-new condition. As our name suggests, we focus on British coins (from hammered metal-detecting finds to modern Royal Mint issues) with a healthy selection of pieces from international mints too. All the coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified.
The Britannia Coin Company is part of the Gold-Traders group, founded in 2008. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise.
You're guaranteed a fully protected service when you buy online with The Britannia Coin Company. Our payment process is fully encrypted, preventing unauthorised access to your personal and financial details. Check your browser bar for the trusted padlock symbol: it's a mark of security.
Free And Insured UK Shipping
The price of all our coins includes free, fully insured UK shipping.
We post most orders within 24 hours of receipt, Monday to Friday. Please check individual product pages for accurate delivery estimates.
We deliver internationally. All payments are to be made in Pounds Sterling. We have a flat rate international shipping charge of just £15. See our dedicated delivery page for exceptions and further information.
Sell Your Coins With Confidence
Our experts want to make selling your coins a stress-free experience. They're ready to provide transparent valuations for your old coins: whether that's an individual piece or a large collection.
The team buys thousands of coins every month via our postal valuation service. Its a safe and easy way to sell coins from home with payment via bank transfer available the same day you confirm our price.
If you'd prefer to visit us in person, we've got secure, private meeting rooms in our offices at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AE. We recommend calling ahead to book an appointment or check out one of our specialist drop-in valuation days.
Visit Our Wiltshire Showroom
If you're looking for a bargain then why not visit our showroom? We've got lots of great discount coins available in our cabinets at Old Bank Antiques.
From circulating £2s and 50ps to world coins, commemorative sets and new releases to ancients, we've got something for everyone. Make sure you save time to browse the glass, ceramics, jewellery, clocks and militaria on display in the rest of the shop, located at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AB.
You won't find our full range on display in our showroom but if there is something particular you would like to examine then please do get in touch. We're pleased to arrange a private viewing appointment at a time that suits you.
Contact Our Coin Experts Now
Got questions about buying or selling coins? Our friendly team of numismatists (coin experts) are ready to assist with valuations, offers, postage enquiries, and more.
Call our enquiries line on 01793 205 007 (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
We are always proud to show off our previous customers experiences with you and what they thought of our purchasing through with Britannia Coins.
Very fast delivery, good comms and excellent value.
Very pleased with my purchase.
Phil H
1st September 2023
You service was very efficient, delivered very fast, one I ordered the coin on Tuesday night it was delivered on Thursday morning
Alison M
31st August 2023
Extremely efficient service. Purchases received within 1 or 2 days. Great bullion deals with highly competitive premiums. As a repeat customer I can't recommend highly enough.
David R
30th August 2023
Buon giorno. Avete un negozio online ben fornito e di facile utilizzo. L'imballaggio del prodotto è stato ottimo. Ho solo un reclamo da fare ! Ho provato a chiamare presso op vostro negozio più volte senza avere nessuna risposta , ho usato anche il vostro contatto watzap ma anche in questo caso non ho avuto risposta. Vi ho contattato a luglio e agosto per sapere se erano previste le spese doganali,in fine ho acquistato senza sapere ....
Roberto S
29th August 2023
Very easy to use website I think you enter the website and there's the latest "live metal prices" with an "Enter Search Item" bar at the top of the page. I like the fact it has the search feature as the home page. When you search for the item(s) it quickly shows the results, along with images of the coins or coin sets. I like that, too. The only downside with these types of businesses, is that you can't get to see a close up image of the coin and/or coin set you are buying. I feel that, because this company buys coins from collectors, etc. that they will have several items that are the same, but in varying degrees of quality and condition, and then, when your buying a 2nd hand item, it's going to be a case of pot luck on what you're going to get. And so, if it was possible, I'd love for BCC to get images of each item that you're going to buy. This is so you know what you're getting before you buy it. That said, every item I've bought from BCC has been of a very nice quality. Two of the coins were of a staggering high quality and the two sets I bought were much better than the average coin sets from eBay. I would say that BCC are the best company in the UK when it comes to used and brand new coins and coin sets. Not only that, the speed at which they get your order processed and delivered to your door is very very fast. The packaging is also on point and highly professional. Also, and one of the most important things, I really trust the Britannia Coin Company. Their prices are very fair and their items are clean and in good condition. They also have a good standing within the coin community.
Mark D
24th August 2023
Coins were of good quality
Marc G
24th August 2023
Very happy with my purchase. Arrived promptly and in perfect condition.
Malcolm P
24th August 2023
Easy to order and pay online. Next day delivery.
William David E
24th August 2023
I was amazed at the communication from when my order was initiated and being kept in the loop as to the progress. All transactions were good and amazed at how quick my parcel was shipped out and received the following day! Due to excellent customer service I have not hesitated recommending to others.
Kevin A
24th August 2023
Really personal service. I phoned and asked some questions regarding the purchase of a silver Denari coin. I paid online and received it the following day. They were very helpful when I phoned with some more questions about how to identify my coin which I'd received from a bundle. They sent me an email with some great information. Tip top service which is rare to find these days. Many thanks and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again.
Jo R
23rd August 2023
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