Prince William is due to
get one very exciting birthday present this year, as the Royal Mint
unveiled a special £5 coin that will feature his portrait and cypher.
This will be the first time
that the Duke of Cambridge will appear on a coin that has been created by the
Royal Mint, and his grandmother the Queen’s face will also appear on
the back of the coin. There will be an inscription on the edge reading:
“HRH The Duke of Cambridge”. The Queen’s portrait has been designed
by Jody Clark, while William’s has been designed by Thomas T. Docherty.
This isn’t the only coin that
will be released, as there will also be a limited-edition two-piece set, one
featuring a 0.25oz celebration coin and another a 1982 sovereign coin – which
marks when the Duke was born.
Another coin will also be
released, and it has been designed using laser technology that was made a
“high relief finish” which will give William’s portrait an enhanced
quality.
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William will no doubt be thrilled with the gift
Speaking of the design of the
coin, Thomas explained: “The design strikes a balance between the fresh
energy of His Royal Highness being a young dad with the ceremonial nature of
his royal position.
“A three-quarter angle of
the portrait creates a more dynamic portrait rather than a traditional side-on
profile. I used certain clay sculpting techniques on a digital platform to
achieve the style needed for the design, to translate effectively from two to
three dimensions.
“Using technology, we can
now produce designs and sculptures with better efficiency compared to when I
began my career 17 years ago. There’s a high level of skills and craftsmanship
needed to sculpt designs – the tools are different but the principles remain
the same.”
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The royal was recently at the Top Gun premiere
Clare Maclennan, director of the commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, added: “The elegant design features
a portrait of HRH alongside his royal cypher and the number 40, which pays
homage to the maturity and grace of the prince who has become a senior member
of the royal family, a devoted husband and a loving father of three, through
the eyes of the world.
“Marking this extra
special occasion, we have also struck a limited-edition gold coin made with 5oz
of fine gold and struck in high relief to elevate the artistry of the design.
“Our limited-edition
precious metal coins combine fine craftsmanship and rarity, making them an
attractive keepsake for collectors and investors.”
