United Kingdom. Late Queen’s Mature Effigy Features on ‘Portraits of a Queen’ Fourth Coin

The collection entitled Portraits of a Queen is in tribute to the centenary anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II. The fourth effigy of Queen Elizabeth II is the work of esteemed sculptor Rank-Broadley FRBS whose most recognised work would be the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II that has appeared on all UK and Commonwealth coinage from its introduction in 1998. Over the years, Rank-Broadley has established a reputation as one of Britain’s leading sculptors. In 1996, he received an invitation to participate in a competition to design a new royal effigy and a recurring theme, the sculptor was not pleased with the photographs supplied for the design and looking at further images highlighted a challenge – he needed to be respectful and reflect a sense of The Queen’s age, at that time she was celebrating her 70th birthday. During his studies and travels, Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS developed a great admiration for the work of the famed Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci. Taking inspiration from Pistrucci’s portrait of King George III created in 1817, in which the monarch’s head crowds the field of the coin, he submitted three versions of his model to the Royal Mint Advisory Committee. Short-listed for trial pieces, he was sure the strength of his design would win through, as the large portrait filled as much as the fields of the smaller new version 5, 10 and 50 pence coins as artistically possible.

As a sculptor, Rank-Broadley found the shallowness of the coin’s relief frustrating and came to see this as a challenge to render the image successfully. It took months of additional work to perfect the design and overcome the technical issues faced by the unique medium of coinage. By the release date of the new effigy into circulation in early 1998, the design depicted a realistic portrait of a subject that in the artist’s own words needed no flattery.

“Age is no respecter of persons, royal or otherwise, and although I was aware that my work might attract criticism, I felt that it was essential to the integrity of the project for the portrait to be a recognisable one, and not over-idealised.”

Ian Rank-Broadley.

Ultimately, the design was considered as one of the best effigies of the Queen which has been described as mature, life-like and enduring. Rank-Broadley’s effigy was replaced on British coinage in 2015 but his likeness of the Queen was retained by other British Commonwealth and colonial coinage.

The portrait on the reverse of the coin has been re-mastered by Gordon Summers, Chief Engraver at The Royal Mint and replicates the second definitive coinage portrait of Elizabeth II, designed by sculptor and artist Ian Rank-Broadley and introduced in 1998. The background includes a linear design and the text placed along the right rim reads PORTRAIT OF A QUEEN 1998 – 2015. The obverse of each coin option features the definitive effigy of HM King Charles III designed by Martin Jennings. The denomination 5 POUNDS or 25 POUNDS and year of issue 2026 also appears on the obverse as part of the legend surrounding the King’s likeness. 

Available from the 20^th January, the BU Cupro-nickel crown coins are housed in a blister-pak type folder with informative text and illustrations. The silver proof coins are encapsulated and presented in black leatherette matte cases accompanied with numbered certificates of authenticity. The gold proof coins are encapsulated and presented in polished gloss wood cases accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Royal Mint.