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Elizabeth II 1953 Coronation Commemorative Crown Coin. Reference: Spink 4136, English Silver Coinage 393F.
The first commemorative crown coin minted in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II was in 1953 to mark the coronation. This has the famous effigy of the Queen seated upon a police horse named Winston and was minted in cupro-nickel. 5,962,621 coronation crowns were struck by the Royal Mint and were presented in plastic cases. The diameter of the crown is 38.61mm and the standard cupro-nickel version weighs 28.28g. This was the only crown coin of the Queen's reign to have the words BRITT:OHM in the legend as this was dropped after 1954 as a response to the changing status of the Commonwealth. The 1953 coronation crown is a popular coin amongst collectors.
The obverse of the Queen Elizabeth II 1953 Coronation Crown was designed by Gilbert Ledward and depicts the Queen on horseback with horse on pedestal and crowned royal cypher either side. The initials G.L. of the artist appear behind the near hind hoof. Legend reads: ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · BRITT OHM · REGINA · FIDEI · DEFENSOR (rose) FIVE SHILLINGS (rose).
Reverse: Design by Edgar Fuller and Cecil Thomas. Central crown with Englsih rose above, Irish shamrock to right, Scottish thistle to left with Welsh leek and date of 1953 below. The angles house four shields in saltire incorporating the designers' initials - CT above the English shield and EF above the Irish shield. This design was once more adopted for the 1960 crown.
The inscription on the edge of the 1953 Coronation Crown was taken from the Coronation Oath and reads: 'FAITH AND TRUTH I WILL BEAR UNTO YOU'.
As standard coin but reads: 'FAITH AND TRUTH I WILL BEAR UNTO YO'. The 'U' is omitted.
A proof version of the 1953 crown was minted for inclusion in the 1953 year set and also for presentation at the 1953 Maundy ceremony and for successive years. Reference: (as standard coin), English Silver Coinage 393G. Note: A version of this coin is recorded with a thicker rim on both sides.
A proof version of the Elizabeth II 1953 crown coin was struck to be presented to VIPs. This version of the coin has a frosted design with highly polished fields. Reference: Spink (as standard coin), English Silver Coinage 393H.
An all-over matt version of the 1953 crown was produced as a pattern or proof coin. Reference: Spink (as standard coin), English Silver Coinage 393J.
A pattern version of the 1953 crown coin was made, similar to the standard coin but in higher relief. The crown on the reverse is over a cross and the national emblems appear at a larger size. The date is also larger. This coin was shown to the Queen for approval but a request was made for the reverse design to be simplified to the current version. Reference: English Silver Coinage 393P.
