The Royal Mint has announced a poignant tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, unveiling a special £5 coin to mark what would have been her 100th birthday in 2026. The commemorative piece forms part of a wider collection celebrating significant national anniversaries.
A Fitting Tribute to a Long-Reigning Monarch
Queen Elizabeth II, born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor on 21 April 1926, was Britain's longest-serving sovereign. Her image graced UK coinage throughout her historic reign, from her coronation in 1953 until her passing in 2022, featuring in five official portraits on circulating currency.
The new £5 coin's design is rich with symbolic detail. It prominently features the late Queen's cypher and St Edward's Crown. The surrounding foliage is inspired by the ironwork of the East Door at St George's Chapel, Windsor, her final resting place. An inscription reads 'EXALTABITUR IN GLORIA', meaning 'She will be exalted in glory'. One hundred beads encircling the design represent the centenary of her birth.
Innovation and Sustainability in the 2026 Collection
Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, stated the collection allows the nation to discover the anniversaries celebrated on UK coins in 2026. "Coins have a unique ability to mark a variety of themes that resonate across different communities and interests," she said, highlighting their role in preserving shared heritage.
In a landmark move, the Mint is introducing recycled gold into a limited run of 52 commemorative coins. This gold, sourced in partnership with Sempsa, comes from old jewellery and coins. This initiative supports a circular economy and is a step towards the Mint's goal of producing all gold commemorative coins from recycled sources by the end of 2026, while maintaining the purity of UK coinage.
Celebrating Broader National Milestones
The 2026 annual set extends beyond the royal tribute, commemorating several key anniversaries:
- 100 years of the British Grand Prix.
- 200 years of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).
- The 200th anniversary of HMS Beagle's voyage.
A notable inclusion is a special 50p coin honouring 50 years of The King's Trust. The charity has supported over 1.2 million young people in the UK. The coin's reverse was designed by Jessica Gregorio, a former beneficiary of the Trust, reflecting the journey of the young people it helps.
The 2026 commemorative sets are available from 2 January on The Royal Mint's website, with prices starting from £39.50. The individual coins will be released throughout the year, though The King's Trust 50p is exclusive to the Annual Set.
