Queen Elizabeth II Coronation 1953 Cupro-Nickel Five Shilling Crown
Coin/Bullion (Numismatic Medallic Issue) · The Royal Mint, Llantrisant, Wales (formerly Tower Hill, London). The Royal Mint is the government-owned mint that produces coins for the United Kingdom.
Pattern: Coronation Commemorative Crown; 1953 First Portrait Issue
Type
Coin/Bullion (Numismatic Medallic Issue)
Maker
The Royal Mint, Llantrisant, Wales (formerly Tower Hill, London). The Royal Mint is the government-owned mint that produces coins for the United Kingdom.
Material
Cupro-Nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel). This specific issue contains no silver content. It is a common misconception that all historic crowns are silver; British crowns switched from .500 silver to cupro-nickel in 1947.
Dimensions
38.61mm in diameter, 2.7mm thickness, weighing 28.28 grams. This is the standard 'Crown' size used for commemoratives.
Description
A classic mid-century numismatic specimen, this 1953 Crown commemorates the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The obverse displays Mary Gillick’s youthful, laurel-wreathed portrait of the Queen, which was criticized by some at the time for its lack of a crown but has since become a beloved representation of the 'New Elizabethan' start. While silver in appearance, it represents the post-WWII shift in British currency toward base metals.
Key Features
Gillick's laureate portrait; cupro-nickel composition; 38.6mm large format 'Crown' size; specific 1953 coronation legend.
Material & Composition
Cupro-Nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel). This specific issue contains no silver content. It is a common misconception that all historic crowns are silver; British crowns switched from .500 silver to cupro-nickel in 1947.
Finish & Decoration
Business strike with a matte to satin finish. Obverse features the 'Laureate' portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Mary Gillick. Reverse (not shown) typically features a crown in the center of a cross of four shields (England, Scotland, Ireland). Style is Mid-Century Royal Heraldry.
Hallmarks & Stamps
No hallmarks (coins use denominations rather than hallmarks). Legend: 'ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F:D:' (Elizabeth II by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith).
Construction Details
Mass-produced via industrial die-striking on a planchet at the Royal Mint. Features a reeded (milled) edge.
Functional Features
Legal tender value of Five Shillings (at time of issue), though intended primarily as a commemorative souvenir of the coronation.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable (coinage).
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-struck quality. The dies were engraved following a plaster model by Mary Gillick, showing high-quality relief in the hair and laurel leaves.
Authentication Indicators
Correct lettering font for the 1953 Mint issue; accurate portrait relief; standard cupro-nickel coloration (grayer than silver). Note: Lack of hallmarks is correct for British legal tender.
Origin & Manufacturing
United Kingdom; London (Royal Mint). Produced using high-pressure steam or electric presses characteristic of mid-20th-century minting.
Era & Period
Modern Era / New Elizabethan Age. Issued in 1953 to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Age Estimate
Issued 1953. Confirmed by the portrait type (Gillick) used only in the early reign and the specific coronation legend.
Cultural Significance
Symbolizes the transition of the British Monarchy into the modern age and the post-war recovery of the UK. It was a primary memento for millions of citizens celebrating the new Queen.
Condition Notes
Very Good to Fine condition. Visible surface tarnish/toning on the right rim; light contact marks and scratches consistent with being kept in a drawer or loosely handled. No major rim dings.
Value Estimate
$2.00 - $10.00 USD. Value is nominal due to the high mintage and base-metal composition, though pristine 'Proof' versions in original boxes can command more.
Care & Maintenance
Do not clean or polish with silver chemicals as this will strip the 'bloom' and decrease numismatic value. Store in a PVC-free coin flip or a dry, velvet-lined case.
Similar Pieces
1951 Festival of Britain Crown (Cupro-nickel), 1935 Rocking Horse Crown (.500 Silver), 1960 New York Exhibition Crown (Cupro-nickel).
Interesting Facts
The 1953 crown was the first to feature the Queen on horseback (on the reverse) and was distributed widely to schoolchildren at the time. Nearly 6 million were minted, making them very common today.