The face of British coinage is about to change — sort of.
Since 1998, a familiar effigy of Queen Elizabeth II — as designed by Ian Rank-Broadley — has resided on UK coins. But after 17 years, the Royal Mint decided it was time to update her portrait.
After holding a design competition, the Royal Mint Advisory Committee selected an image designed by 33-year-old, Jody Clark. Clark, a Royal Mint engraver, is the first person in that position to have their portrait appear on royal coinage in over a century. He’s also the youngest.
Clark’s portrayal will be the fifth profile of Her Majesty to be featured on British coinage. You can find each previous design since 1953 on The Royal Mint’s blog and see how the Queen has aged gracefully throughout her 63+ year reign as British monarch.
The newest effigy of Queen Elizabeth II was unveiled at a ceremony in London on March 2. The designed followed suit with the previous designs in that Her Majesty remains right-facing. The most noticeable difference between Rank-Broadley’s and Clark’s portraits is the crown. Clark depicts the Queen in her royal diadem crown from her coronation. Take a look at the variation between the two designs below.
Rank-Broadley’s design
Clark’s design
Coins with the modern image will begin circulating later in 2015.
What do you think of the new design?
Give us your thoughts in the comments below or on our facebook.
