Five pounds (British coin)


The British five pound coin is a commemorative denomination of sterling coinage. The obverse of new coins feature the profile of King Charles III; it previously depicted Queen Elizabeth II between the coin's introduction in 1990 and the Queen's death in 2022. Two different portraits of the Queen featured on the coin, with the last design by Ian Rank-Broadley being introduced in 1998. The coin has no standard reverse; instead it is altered each year to commemorate important events. Variant obverses have also been used on occasion.
The coin is a continuation of the crown, which after decimalisation became the commemorative twenty-five pence coin. The twenty-five pence was discontinued in 1981 after creating a large coin with such small value became prohibitively expensive. The five pound coin shares the same dimensions as the twenty-five pence coin, and the five shilling coin before it, but has a nominal value twenty times greater.
Five pound coins are legal tender but are intended as souvenirs and are rarely seen in circulation. The coins are sold by the Royal Mint at face value and also, with presentation folders, at a premium to that face value. The vast majority of souvenir crowns were issued as "Brilliant Uncirculated" and were affordable by most collectors. The 2010 coins, with such folders, were sold for £9.95 each. As of 2020 the coin and folder cost £13. Occasionally, to mark special occasions, the Royal Mint issued some crowns only struck in.925 sterling silver to a higher standard, known as "silver proof" and priced at £100 and upwards.
A £5 memorial crown featuring the image of Charles III was released on 3 October 2022 honouring the life and legacy of his mother Queen Elizabeth II - the UK's longest reigning monarch.
Separate five pound coin designs have also been released in various British crown dependencies and British Overseas Territories. These are outside of the scope of this article and are not listed below.

Design

Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II

The designs which have appeared on the five pound coin's reverse are summarised in the table below.
NumberYearImageEventDesignEdge inscriptionReverse designerMintage
11990The Queen Mother's 90th birthdayA cypher in the letter 'E' in duplicate, above a royal crown flanked by a rose and a thistle all within the inscription QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER and the dates 1900–1990Leslie Durbin2,761,431
21993The 40th anniversary of the Queen's CoronationSt Edward's Crown encircled by forty trumpets all within the inscription FAITH AND TRUTH I WILL BEAR UNTO YOU and the anniversary dates 1953–1993Robert Elderton1,834,655
31996The Queen's 70th birthdayA representation of Windsor Castle with five flag poles, two holding forked pennants with anniversary dates of 1926 and 1996, the other flags are Royal Arms, Union flag and the Queen's personal flagAvril Vaughan2,396,100
41997Golden wedding anniversary of the Queen and the Duke of EdinburghA pair of shields, chevronwise, on the left, shield of the Royal arms, on the right, shield of Prince Philip, above a royal crown and the date 20 NOVEMBER, below an anchor cabled and FIVE POUNDSLeslie Durbin1,733,000
51998Prince Charles' 50th birthdayA portrait of Prince Charles and in the background words relating to the work of The Prince's Trust. A circumscription of FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY OF HRH PRINCE OF WALES and below FIVE POUNDS flanked by anniversary dates of 1948 and 1998Michael Noakes and Robert Elderton1,407,300
61999Diana, Princess of Wales memorial crownA portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales with the dates 1961 and 1997, circumscription IN MEMORY OF DIANA PRINCESS OF WALES and the value FIVE POUNDSDavid Cornell5,396,300
71999Millennium CrownA representation of a dial of a clock, hands set at 12 o'clock with a map of the British Isles and the dates 1999 and 2000 and the words ANNO DOMINI and the value FIVE POUNDSWHAT'S PAST IS PROLOGUEJeffrey Matthews5,396,300
82000Millennium CrownA representation of a dial of a clock, hands set at 12 o'clock with a map of the British Isles and the dates 1999 and 2000 and the words ANNO DOMINI and the value FIVE POUNDSWHAT'S PAST IS PROLOGUE Jeffrey Matthews3,147,092
92000The Queen Mother's 100th birthdayA portrait of the Queen Mother, flanked by groups of people with the circumscription QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER, the anniversary dates 1900–2000. Below the portrait a representation of her signature.Ian Rank-Broadley3,147,092
102001100th anniversary of the death of Queen VictoriaA representation of The Crystal Palace within the value FIVE POUNDS, stylised railway lines in the shape of a V incorporating a portrait of Queen Victoria, remnant of the words ONE PENNY and anniversary dates of 1901 and 2001Mary Milner-Dickens851,491
112002Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth IIA portrait of the Queen with the value FIVE POUNDS belowIan Rank-Broadley3,469,243
122002Queen Mother memorial crownA portrait of the Queen Mother encircled by a wreath and with the circumscription QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER and the dates 1900–2002STRENGTH DIGNITY LAUGHTERAvril Vaughan3,469,243
13200350th anniversary of the Queen's CoronationGOD SAVE THE QUEEN in the centre surrounded by the words CORONATION JUBILEE FIVE POUNDS and the anniversary date 2003Tom Phillips1,307,147
142004100th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale between Great Britain and FranceCombined figures of Britannia and Marianne, with the words ENTENTE CORDIALE and the anniversary dates 1904 and 2004David Gentleman1,205,594
152005200th anniversary of the Battle of TrafalgarDesign features HMS Victory and HMS Termeraire in battle surrounded by inscription TRAFALGAR and the dates 1805 and 2005Clive Duncan1,075,516
162005200th anniversary of the death of Horatio NelsonA portrait of Horatio Nelson and the dates 1805 and 2005ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERYMAN TO DO HIS DUTYJames Butler1,075,516
172006The Queen's 80th birthdayThree trumpets with trumpet banners accompanied by the inscription 1926 VIVAT REGINA 2006DUTY SERVICE FAITHDanuta Solowiej-Wedderburn52,267
182007Diamond wedding anniversary of the Queen and the Duke of EdinburghThe Rayonnant Gothic rose window of Westminster Abbey accompanied by the inscription TVEATVR VNITA DEVS, the dates 1947 and 2007, and the denomination FIVE POUNDSMY STRENGTH AND STAYEmma Noble30,561
192008450th anniversary of the Accession of Queen Elizabeth IA portrait of Queen Elizabeth I crowned and set within a mandorla. A rose has been placed at each connecting point while the two side arches each contain a leaf pattern reminiscent of the carvings made by Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. The year of her accession and the year of the anniversary are both shown in Roman numerals.I HAVE REIGNED WITH YOUR LOVESRod Kelly20,047
202008Prince Charles' 60th birthdayA portrait of Prince CharlesSIXTIETH BIRTHDAYIan Rank-Broadley14,088
212009500th anniversary of the Accession of Henry VIIIJohn Bergdahl67,119
222009Countdown to 2012: 3Two swimmers, and countdown number '3'. The words COUNTDOWN above and XXX OLYMPIAD below; the London 2012 logo on the left, the date 2009 on the right.Claire Aldridge184,921
232010350th anniversary of the Restoration of the MonarchyDavid Cornell30,247
242010Countdown to 2012: 2Two runners, and countdown number '2'. The words COUNTDOWN above and XXX OLYMPIAD below; the London 2012 logo on the left, the date 2010 below the image.Claire Aldridge153,080
252011Royal Wedding: Prince William and Miss Catherine MiddletonMark Richards250,000
26201190th birthday of the Duke of EdinburghMark Richards18,730
272011Countdown to 2012: 1Cyclist, and countdown number '1'. The words COUNTDOWN above and XXX OLYMPIAD below; the London 2012 logo on the right, the date 2011 on the left.Claire Aldridge52,261
282012Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth IIIan Rank-Broadley484,775
292012Countdown to 2012Three medallists on a podium. The words COUNTDOWN above and XXX OLYMPIAD below; the London 2012 logo on the right, the date 2012 above the image.Claire Aldridge52,261
302012Olympic GamesLondon skyline with the inscription LONDON 2012 above, surrounded by a selection of sporting images, and the London 2012 logo at the top.Saiman Miah315,983
312012Paralympic GamesSegments of a target, a spoked wheel, a stopwatch and the clock-face of the Palace of Westminster. The inscription LONDON 2012 is upper left, and London 2012 Paralympic logo is lower left.Pippa Sanderson55,524
32201360th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth IIEmma Noble57,262
332013Birth of Prince George 7,460
342013Christening of Prince GeorgeJohn Bergdahl56,014
352014300th anniversary of the death of Queen AnneMark Richards12,181
362014Prince George's first birthday 7,500
37201550th anniversary of the death of Winston ChurchillMark Richards18,161
382015200th anniversary of the Battle of WaterlooDavid Lawrence24,554
392015Birth of Princess CharlotteJohn Bergdahl3,000
402015Christening of Princess CharlotteJohn Bergdahl
412015Second birthday of Prince George
422015Longest reigning monarchJames Butler
43201690th birthday of Queen Elizabeth IIChristopher Hobbs9,360
442017House of Windsor Timothy Noad
4520171000th anniversary of the coronation of King CanuteLee R. Jones7,100
462017Sapphire Jubilee of Elizabeth IIGlyn Davies5,980
472017Prince Philip: Celebrating a Life of ServiceHumphrey Paget3,750
482017Remembrance DayStephen Taylor12,720
492017Platinum Wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince PhilipJohn Bergdahl2,760
502017Christmas TreeEdwina Ellis12,030
512017The Queen's Beasts I: The Lion of EnglandJody Clark15,000
522017The Queen's Beasts II: The Unicorn of ScotlandJody Clark3,570
532018The Queen's Beasts III: The Red Dragon of WalesJody Clark2,870
542018Fifth birthday of Prince GeorgeJody Clark2,970
552018Four generations of royaltyTimothy Noad9,300
562018The Queen's Beasts IV: The Black Bull of ClarenceJody Clark3,010
572018Royal Wedding: Prince Henry and Ms Meghan MarkleJody Clark20,250
58201865th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth IIStephen Taylor3,300
592018The Pride of EnglandAs 2017 version; reissued dated 2018 for the World Cup.Jody Clark5,100
602018Remembrance Day Laura Clancy4,000
612018The NutcrackerHarry Brockway12,000
622018Prince Charles' 70th birthdayRobert Elderton5,000
632018Royal Academy of ArtsDavid Chipperfield2,190
642019The Queen's Beasts V: The Falcon of the PlantagenetsJody Clark3,690
652019Legend of the Ravens Jody Clark5,400
662019The Queen's Beasts VI: The Yale of BeaufortJody Clark2,940
672019The Crown Jewels Glyn Davies4,200
682019200th anniversary of the birth of Queen VictoriaJohn Bergdahl15,030
692019The Yeoman Wardens Glyn Davies6,600
702019The Lion of England – Cricket World CupJody Clark6,720
712019Ceremony of the Keys Glyn Davies8,700
722020Lunar Year of the RatP. J. Lynch
732019100 years of Remembrance DayHarry Brockway6,300
742020The Queen's Beasts VII: The White Lion of MortimerJody Clark3,610
752020200th anniversary of the death of George IIIIncorporates an effigy of the king in the centre alongside the King's Observatory and Windsor Castle around the outsideDominique Evans9,240
762020Music legends: QueenFeatures the band's logo QUEEN and instruments played by the members: Bechstein grand piano played by Freddie Mercury for "Bohemian Rhapsody", May's "Red Special" guitar, Roger Taylor's Ludwig bass drum with an early-day Queen crest and John Deacon's Fender Precision Bass.Chris Facey8,160
772020The Queen's Beasts VIII: The White Horse of HanoverJody Clark2,630
782020250th anniversary of the birth of William WordsworthDavid Lawrence5,600
792020Bond, James BondChristian Davies and Matt Dent2,010
802020Pay Attention 007 Christian Davies and Matt Dent1,830
812020Shaken Not Stirred Christian Davies and Matt Dent1,380
822020The White Tower Timothy Noad2,370
832020The Royal Menagerie Timothy Noad1,620
842020The Royal Mint Timothy Noad1,500
852020The Infamous Prison Timothy Noad2,580
862020Music legends: Elton JohnBradley Morgan Johnson2,160
872020150th anniversary of the British Red CrossHenry Gray16,580
88202075th anniversary of the end of the Second World WarMatthew Dent and Christian Davies7,300
892020Remembrance Day Natasha Preece1,170
902021The White Greyhound of RichmondHarry Brockway2,910
912021Lunar Year of the OxJody Clark
922020Music legends: David BowieJody Clark3,450
932021The 95th birthday of Her Majesty The QueenTimothy Noad3,180
942021The Griffin of Edward IIIJody Clark2,700
952021Mr. Happy – The 50th anniversary of Mr. Men Little MissAdam Hargreaves8,200
962021Mr. Strong and Little Miss Giggles – The 50th anniversary of Mr. Men Little MissAdam Hargreaves6,200
972021Little Miss Sunshine – The 50th anniversary of Mr. Men Little MissAdam Hargreaves6,900
982021The 150th anniversary of the Royal Albert HallAnne Desmet3,160
992021Alfred the GreatJohn Bergdahl2,610
1002021The Tale of Peter RabbitHeartwarming scene of whole rabbit family. Inscribed above: "Now run along, and don't get into mischief. I am going out."Obverse/Reverse
Jody Clark / Ffion Gwillim		69,000
1012021The Queen's BeastsAll ten beasts together on single coin to celebrate the series as a whole. This coin is also known as a "Completer" coin.Jody Clark1,160
1022021Music legends: The WhoDesign includes a Union Jack flag, mod logo, and a Rickenbacker guitarHenry Gray17,070
1032021HRH Prince Philip - Duke of EdinburghPortrait of HRH Prince Philip, which he approved.Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS
1042021Alice in WonderlandAlice and one of the most mischievous characters from the book, the Cheshire Cat.Ffion Gwillim
1052021Alice Through the Looking GlassAlice with the comedic duo, Tweedledee and Tweedledum.Ffion Gwillim
1062021UK Remembrance DayAt the going down of the sun & in the morning we will remember them. Four red poppies lower right.Gary Breeze
1072021Mahatma Gandhi - Celebrating one of the greatest icons of the twentieth century.One of Gandhi's most famous quotes - "My life is my message", also features an image of a sacred lotus, the national flower of India, symbolising Gandhi's gentle strength.Heena Glover
1082021Lunar Year of the TigerTiger approaching head-on.David Lawrence
1092022120 Years - The Tale of Peter RabbitPeter Rabbit running right through a garland of flowers with "120 Years" above left with bird perched above and butterfly belowFfion Gwillim
1102022Seymour Panther Although the stone beast is depicted as a ferocious animal, with flames coming from its mouth and ears, the Seymour Panther symbolised a peaceful and loving union between the king and consort.David Lawrence
1112022The Lion of England Crowned seated lion, roaring & holding shield.David Lawrence
1122022The 40th Birthday of HRH The Duke of CambridgePortrait of Prince William with 40 and a crowned "W" in background.Thomas T. Docherty
1132022Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth IIRoyal Mantle as a surround, as it was used on the coinage of William IV and the dates 1952–2022 in a poignant tribute to her incredible 70 years of service to the crown.John Bergdahl
1142022Platinum Jubilee - Special Commemorative ObverseReverse as above. Obverse Queen Elizabeth II on horseback wearing her garter robes in a fitting tribute to her 70 years on the throne.John Bergdahl
1152022The Queen's Reign - Honours & InvestitureA range of medals including the George Cross, Victoria Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross. "THE BESTOWING OF HER HONOURS", inscribed above and the Queen's signature below..P.J. Lynch
1162022The Queen's Reign - Charity and PatronageAn arch of Maundy money from the time of Charles II. "HER CHARITY AND HER PATRONAGE", inscribed above and the Queen's signature below.P.J. Lynch
1172022The Queen's Reign - The CommonwealthIncluding a depiction of Her Majesty's Personal Flag featuring the crowned letter "E". Above is inscribed "HER COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS, the Queen's signature below.P.J. Lynch
1182022100th Anniversary of the Discovery of Tutankhamun's TombA profile of Tutankhamun's iconic gold mask which remained undisturbed for over 3000 yearsLaura Clancy
1192022The Rolling Stones An outline of the group in action under spotlights with their name above and their dates below.Hannah Phizacklea
1202023Lunar Year of the RabbitRabbit seated in field facing left with leaves and Chinese symbols around and "YEAR OF THE RABBIT 2023" above.Louie Maryon
1212023Yale of Beaufort With the body of a goat, tusks of a boar and tail of a lion, the Yale of Beaufort is one of the most peculiar of the ten heraldic guardians. the Yale of Beaufort is depicted the Arms of Jane Seymour to reinforce her authority and influence as the king's new wife.David Lawrence

Obverse: King Charles III

C = Circulating

Coin sets

Additionally, the Royal Mint have released a number of five pound coin sets in silver proof quality.

2012 Olympics Set

A series of 18 commemorative £5 coins were issued to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics.
  1. Mind Stonehenge
  2. Mind Big Ben
  3. Mind Angel of the North
  4. Mind Flying Scotsman
  5. Mind The Globe Theatre
  6. Mind Sir Isaac Newton
  7. Body Giant's Causeway
  8. Body The Great British Oak
  9. Body River Thames
  10. Body Weather
  11. Body British Fauna
  12. Body The Coastline of Britain
  13. Spirit Courage
  14. Spirit Pageantry
  15. Spirit Unity
  16. Spirit Music
  17. Spirit Humour
  18. Spirit Tolerance

    Queen's Portrait Set

Four proof coins were released as part of the 2013 Queen's Portrait set. These coins feature the four portraits of Elizabeth II that appear on British coins.

The Portrait of Britain Set

Sixteen silver proof coins have been released as part of the 'Portrait of Britain' set.
A series of silver proof coins have been released as part of the 'First World War' set. 36 coins were released as part of this series.