British Five Shillings Crown (Coronation) Issued 1953

British Five Shillings Crown — Coronation (Issued 1953)

This crown was struck to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953, the first crown of the new reign. Bearing a face value of five shillings, it was issued in cupro-nickel and, like its Festival predecessor, was largely sold as a commemorative piece rather than paid out in everyday change. Its broad diameter, plain edge and crisp relief made it a natural memento of the coronation year, and it remains one of the most familiar British crowns of the twentieth century.

On the obverse, the young Queen is shown mounted on horseback, riding the mare Winston, in an equestrian portrait modelled by Gilbert Ledward. The legend reads “ELIZABETH·II·DEI·GRATIA·BRITT·OMN·REGINA·FIDEI·DEFENSOR”, with crowned ‘E R’ royal cyphers flanking the horse and “FIVE SHILLINGS” curving along the foot, all within a beaded border.

On the reverse, four crowned shields bearing the arms of England, Scotland and Ireland are arranged in a cross around a central Imperial crown, with the national floral emblems — rose, thistle, shamrock and leek — set between the arms of the cross and the date “1953” at the base. The cruciform design was the work of Edgar Fuller and Cecil Thomas and is framed by a toothed border.

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