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Queen’s signature to appear on Royal Mint Platinum Jubilee coins

Royal Mint
Royal Mint

The Queen’s “iconic” signature will appear on a collection of Royal Mint coins for the first time after the designer said “nothing else is needed to explain who that is.”

The familiar Elizabeth R signature, reproduced on cards and official documents for decades, is engraved on a £5 coin collection celebrating the Queen’s service in her Platinum Jubilee year.

It was designed by Irish artist and illustrator PJ Lynch, who was inspired by the Queen’s hands and the work they represent.

“I began thinking about how her hands are such an important thing – she is always shaking hands, using them to carry out symbolic tasks like presenting awards, planting trees or unveiling plaques,” he said.

“It is how she communicates with hundreds, if not thousands, of people at once.”

“It led me to consider her signature, which is so symbolic, an instrument of state when she signs official documents, but also her personal promise and commitment.”

Queen's Royal Mint coins
Queen's Royal Mint coins

Mr Lynch was initially working on an idea involving the Queen’s hand signing a charter.

He added: “The more I looked at it, the signature was what was most important. I could see that if I focused on that, everything else could be simpler.

“It is ironic, yet understated: Elizabeth R. Nothing else is needed to explain who that is, it stands for so much on its own.”

The Royal Mint said the collection paid tribute to the Queen's commitment to the Commonwealth, patronage and charitable work.

It comprises three designs. One coin focuses on the Queen's awards and honours, another highlights the monarch's work with charities and as a patron and the third celebrates the Commonwealth.

The collection can be purchased from the Royal Mint’s website. Prices range from £13 for what is called a brilliant uncirculated coin to £2,865 for a gold proof version.

Nicola Howell, chief commercial officer at the Royal Mint said: “This year marks a truly special moment in royal history - Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

“To celebrate Her Majesty’s incredible reign, we are delighted to unveil a unique collection which features her signature on all three coins for the first time.

“As the official maker of UK coins, we’re proud to have struck each coin of Her Majesty’s reign and this special collection pays tribute to her commitment to the Commonwealth, patronage and charitable work.”

The queen - Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
The queen - Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images

Last year, Mr Lynch, a children’s author and illustrator, depicted Britannia as a woman of colour for the first time on UK currency.

He has created several coin designs including the Britannia coin, coins for the alphabet 10p coin series, and a design for the Royal Mint’s Lunar coin collection.

On the new collection, the artist said: “I am really happy with the simplification and that the signature is so big and important.

“It is fantastic to see the final result – when paper images have become digital images and then a coin that you can move in the light. That’s what is so special, the little details that catch the light bring it to life.

“With a coin, I think an artist can see their work in an almost immortal fashion.

“Books can last hundreds of years, but there are coins that are thousands of years old. They tell so much about an era.”