Centenary Of Elizabeth II's Birth
In 2026, The Royal Mint commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth II with a special coin collection honouring Britain's longest-reigning monarch. Released one hundred years after her birth, the range recognises a sovereign whose portrait appeared on British coinage for more than seventy years.
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born on 21 April 1926 in Mayfair, London, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936 unexpectedly placed her directly in line to the throne.
When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth became queen aged just 25. Her coronation at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953 was watched by millions worldwide. Queen Elizabeth II went on to reign for seventy years, becoming the longest-serving monarch in British history. She died on 8 September 2022, aged 96, and was succeeded by King Charles III.
100th Anniversary Coin Collection
The 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth II coin collection from The Royal Mint includes a wide variety of commemorative pieces for collectors and royal enthusiasts.
The range centres on a classic commemorative Five Pound, a denomination long associated with important royal events. Coins in the 100th Anniversary collection are issued in brilliant uncirculated and proof finishes, struck in precious metals including silver, gold and platinum, with larger ounce and kilogram coins highlighting the detailed designs.
Among the standout releases is the 2026 Sovereign struck on 21 April 2026, exactly one hundred years after the Queen's birth. It features a mintmark inspired by the Lily Font in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace, linking the coin to a location closely associated with her life.
Mintages across the collection are lower than those for the Platinum Jubilee and Elizabeth II Memorial coins, increasing the appeal of this centenary issue.
Two Commemorative Coin Designs
Two reverse designs appear across the 2026 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth II collection.
The first, by heraldic artist Timothy Noad, draws inspiration from the ornate ironwork of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the Queen is buried. The design incorporates the crowned royal cypher of Elizabeth II within a decorative pattern influenced by the chapel's metalwork. The second design, by Henry Gray, features oak branches intertwined with symbols representing the UK's four home nations, reflecting strength and unity during the Queen's seventy-year reign.
All coins carry the definitive portrait of King Charles III by Martin Jennings on the obverse, linking the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II with that of her successor.
