Anne's special Royal Mint commemorative coin is now available for purchase to honor her 75th birthday.
A Historic Milestone: The First UK Coin Honouring Princess Royal
In a significant move, the Royal Mint has unveiled the first official UK coin to honour Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in celebration of her 75th birthday and her lifetime of service. The coin, named the "Anne-iversary coin," is a testament to Princess Anne's dedication to public service, charity work, and her unique achievements, such as becoming the first British royal to compete in the Olympic Games.
The design of the commemorative £5 coin, personally approved by Princess Anne, features her official Coat of Arms to the right of her portrait. The portrait, based on a photograph taken by John Swannell, a fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, captures the princess's remarkable legacy and understated elegance. Princess Anne is depicted wearing an aquamarine pendant and matching earrings, believed to have been made using stones from the tiara when she had it remodelled in the 1990s.
The Cartier tiara worn by Princess Anne in the coin design was a wedding anniversary present from King George VI to Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother, and was later given as a wedding gift to Anne in 1973. On the obverse of the coin, there is a depiction of the King who gave the coin's creation his final sign-off in honour of his sister.
Thomas T Docherty, the designer of the coin, stated that the design reflects the princess's strength of character and understated elegance. The coin is available in various versions, including a Silver Proof £5 coin made of .925 sterling silver and a Gold Proof £5 coin of 916.67 gold. Only 75 pieces of the 22-carat gold proof finish version are planned, making it especially scarce and collectible.
These coins can be purchased directly from the Royal Mint’s online shop or authorized dealers offering limited edition UK coins. Collectors often choose between silver and gold versions depending on preference and budget. The commemorative coin featuring Princess Anne is also being sold as part of three sets, featuring either a single George VI threepence or florin, or multiple George VI coins from 1950, the year the princess was born, with prices ranging from £25 to £4,500.
Princess Anne, the only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, is known for her no-fuss approach. Despite being rushed to intensive care and spending five nights in hospital after a horse-related incident in 2024, she carried out nearly 400 official engagements, the most of any member of the royal family. This coin serves as a fitting tribute to her hard work and dedication.
[1] The Royal Mint [2] John Swannell Photography [3] Royal Mint Gold Proof £5 Coin [4] Royal Mint Silver Proof £5 Coin [5] The Telegraph - Princess Anne's 75th Birthday Coin: The Story Behind the Design
- The commemorative Royal Mint Gold Proof £5 Coin, honouring Princess Anne, is an exceptional piece, reflecting the celebrity status and dedication to service of the Princess Royal.
- John Swannell's photograph, the basis for the portrait on the Anne-iversary coin, brilliantly showcases the understated elegance and strong character of one of the most iconic celebrities in the royal family, Princess Anne.
