Posts Tagged ‘Five Pound’
What animal are you in the Chinese Zodiac? Brand new £5 coin released!
The Chinese Zodiac calendar can be tracked back as far as the 14th Century B.C and has fascinated the imaginations of millions of people since.
As part of the eternal twelve-year cycle, an animal and its reputed attributes are assigned to each year.
Credit: cafeastrology
Like so many ancient traditions, the origin stories of the Chinese Zodiac vary. Some say that the Buddha called on animals to help mankind and only 12 responded. Others say a Great Race was held to determine which animal would be placed in the zodiac for eternity.
The Royal Mint are celebrating each animal on the Zodiac calendar with their Lunar Year Shēngxiào Collection £5 series.
2025 UK Lunar Year of the Snake £5
The latest coin in The Royal Mint’s Lunar series has just been issued, celebrating the Year of the Snake!
In Chinese culture, the Snake is a symbol of intelligence and adaptability and is regarded as the wisest of the 12 zodiac animals. Those born in the Year of the Snake are known for their cleverness, determination, and strategic thinking.
Chris Costello’s design on the reverse of this coin seamlessly blends traditional Chinese culture with British artistry, beautifully capturing the intricate details of the Snake’s scales as it slithers across the grass.
The 2025 UK Lunar Year of the Snake £5 would make the perfect gift for anyone born in the Year of the Snake, secure yours for just £13.99 (+p&p) >>
2024 UK Lunar Year of the Dragon £5
The eleventh coin in The Royal Mint’s Lunar series celebrated the Lunar Year of the Dragon!
This £5 coin was the first UK coin to be dated 2024, and was also the first in the Lunar series to feature King Charles III on the obverse!
The Dragon is China’s most important cultural symbol, representing confidence, courage and intelligence – traits that are said to belong to those born in the Year of the Dragon. It’s thought to be the most powerful of the 12 Lunar beasts.
William Webb’s intricate design on the reverse of this coin perfectly depicts the powerful beast.
2023 UK Lunar Year of the Rabbit £5
*No longer available at the Mint*
The tenth coin in the Shēngxiào Collection was issued in 2023 to celebrate the Lunar Year of the Rabbit.
Louie Maryon’s intricate design of this £5 coin shows the animal poised elegantly, capturing its gentle nature. An engraving of the Chinese Zodiac symbol for the Rabbit also features within the design, as well as the date ‘2023’.
In Chinese culture, the Rabbit is a symbol of hope and is the luckiest of the 12 animals. Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be gentle, compassionate, and kind-hearted.
Secure your Lunar Year of the Rabbit £5 >>
2022 UK Lunar Year of the Tiger £5
*No longer available at the Mint*
2022 saw the Lunar Year of the Tiger celebrated on a UK £5 coin.
David Lawrence’s bespoke design of this £5 coin, shows the ‘King of the Beasts’ in Chinese culture, in a stance that emulates all of the animal’s desirable characteristics.
According to tradition, those born in the Year of the Tiger are adventurous, courageous, confident, and brave. To the right, we also see an engraving of the Chinese Zodiac symbol for the Tiger.
Add the Lunar Year of the Tiger £5 to your collection >>
2021 UK Lunar Year of the Ox £5
*No longer available at the Mint*
In 2021, a £5 coin was issued to celebrate the Lunar Year of the Ox!
Harry Brockway’s design of this £5 coin blends traditional Asian culture with British artistry, whilst also echoing characteristics of this formidable beast.
This impressive creature can be seen peacefully immersed in a British-inspired countryside, with the strength and size of its muscles taking centre-stage.
Qualities associated with people born in the Lunar Year of the Ox include being calm, patient, methodical and trustworthy. Lucky numbers for this Lunar Year include 1 and 4 and lucky flowers during this calendar include lily of the valley and lucky bamboo.
Click here to get your Lunar Year of the Ox £5 >>
2020 UK Lunar Year of the Rat £5
*No longer available at the Mint*
Starting in 2014 with the Year of the Horse, The Royal Mint have released a a new £5 coin every year as part of their Shēngxiào Collection.
Until 2020, these coins were only ever available in precious metal, however the 2020 UK Lunar Year of the Rat £5 was the first in the Shēngxiào Collection to be available in Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
A coin collecting first, the 2020 Lunar Year of the Rat Brilliant Uncirculated £5 coin was intricately designed by Royal Mint engraver P.J. Lynch to capture the characteristics of the people born in the Year of the Rat.
The design shows a single rat crouched and sniffing the air, showcasing its agility and inquisitiveness.
Other qualities associated with those people born in the Year of the Rat are intuitiveness and acuteness, while the element for these people is Water. Their lucky numbers could also include 2, 3, 6 and 8 and they should avoid number 4, 5 and 9.
The Chinese Zodiac Calendar – what animal are you?
There are twelve animals in total in the Chinese Zodiac calendar, but do you know what animal you are?
We’ve listed all twelve Zodiac animals below – let us know in the comments below if you think you match with your animal and its given characteristics!
- Rat: quick-witted, smart, charming, and persuasive
- Ox: patient, kind, stubborn, and conservative
- Tiger: authoritative, emotional, courageous, and intense
- Rabbit: popular, compassionate, and sincere
- Dragon: energetic, fearless, warm-hearted, and charismatic
- Snake: charming, gregarious, introverted, generous, and smart
- Horse: energetic, independent, impatient, and enjoy traveling
- Sheep: mild-mannered, shy, kind, and peace-loving
- Monkey: fun, energetic, and active
- Rooster: independent, practical, hard-working, and observant
- Dog: patient, diligent, generous, faithful, and kind
- Pig: loving, tolerant, honest, and appreciative of luxury
Which animal are you in the Chinese Zodiac? Let us know in the comments below!
The History of the British Crown Coin
Discover the journey of the crown coin and how it became the UK’s flagship £5 commemorative coin…
Do you have any of these crown coins in your collection? Let us know in the comments below!
Own the £5 coin issued to celebrate an unprecedented British Royal milestone
To celebrate this unprecedented Royal milestone, of the 65th anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen’s Coronation, The Royal Mint issued a £5 coin in 2018 in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality, as a lasting tribute to this historic year.
What’s your favourite £5 coin design of the year 2018?
We’re on the hunt for the best Coin Design of 2018 as part of the 2018 Change Checker Awards and we need your help! With over 50 new coins issued by The Royal Mint this year, we’ve decided to shortlist the coins by denomination and then determine one overall winner from the top 10p, 50p, £2 and £5 coins as voted by Change Checkers!
£5 Coins
The £5 is widely regarded as the UK’s flagship coin and are usually reserved to commemorate the most important Royal and historical anniversaries of the year. And there have certainly been a number of important events celebrated in 2018. In fact, TEN stunning £5 coins have been released this year, including three new additions to the Queen’s Beasts series, an incredibly poignant Remembrance Day £5 with colour printing and a beautifully festive Nutcracker £5 as we move towards the Christmas season.
But which 2018 £5 coin is your favourite?
Cast your vote now using the poll at the bottom of the page and find out more about the different £5 coins below!
Red Dragon of Wales £5
The Red Dragon of Wales is the third coin in the Queen’s Beasts series which started in 2017. The Queen’s Beasts collection will eventually include ten £5 coins, each representing the ten guard beast sculptures which were at the entrance to Westminster Abbey during Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation in 1953. This coin features a design of the fierce Red Dragon of Wales, by well-known designer Jody Clark.
Four Generations of Royalty £5
This Four Generations of Royalty £5 coin marks the first time ever that The Royal Mint has issued a coin to celebrate all four generations of royalty in line to the throne on a single coin. The reverse features an original design by much-loved calligrapher Timothy Noad, and ornately shows the initials of the current four generations, E, C, W, G, and represents the heritage of the House of Windsor.
Royal Academy of Arts £5
To celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the founding of The Royal Academy of Arts, The Royal Academy (RA) and The Royal Mint collaborated to issue this £5 coin. The reverse has been designed by celebrated architect Sir David Chipperfield RA, and features the historical facade of Burlington House, home to the Royal Academy since 1867.
Black Bull of Clarence £5
The Black Bull of Clarence is the fourth coin issued to celebrate the ten ancestral beasts of heraldry, myth, and legend that have watched over Her Majesty the Queen throughout her unprecedented reign. The reverse design by Jody Clark features the strong Black Bull in a rampant position with the shield displaying the coat of arms of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last native Prince of Wales.
Royal Wedding of Harry and Meghan £5
To celebrate the wedding of HRH Prince Harry of Wales and Ms Meghan Markle, The Royal Mint issued a brand new £5 coin designed by Jody Clark and based on a portrait of the couple taken from a private sitting as well as an inscription of the date of the wedding.
65th Coronation Anniversary £5
This £5 has been issued by The Royal Mint to mark the 65th anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen’s Coronation on the 2nd June 1953, an unprecedented Royal milestone.The reverse design by Stephen Taylor depicts the Royal Standard, crowned with Her Majesty the Queen’s royal cypher to represent the Sovereign and the United Kingdom.
Falcon of the Plantagenets £5
This £5 features the magnificent Falcon of the Platagenets from the Queen’s Beasts series, but although the coin is 2019 dated, it was issued during 2018. The reverse features Jody Clark’s depiction of a Falcon perched on top of the shield with a partially open fetterlock in its grasp. Originally closed, the slightly open fetterlock supposedly refers to Edward IV claim to the throne.
Prince George 5th Birthday £5
The birth of HRH Prince George on 22nd July 2013 sparked celebration throughout the country and to celebrate his 5th Birthday, The Royal Mint issued this 2018 commemorative £5 coin. The reverse design by Royal Mint engraver Jody Clark features a modern depiction of Saint George slaying a dragon with a spear.
Remembrance Day £5
To honour the sacrifices of all those who have risked their lives to protect their country’s freedom The Royal Mint issued a 2018 Remembrance Day £5 coin which features vibrant red printing to highlight the symbolic poppy. It is an especially poignant coin this year which marks the 100th anniversary of Armistice, the end of WW1.
Nutcracker £5
The Nutcracker coin is the second Christmas £5 issued by The Royal Mint, featuring a magical design which depicts an enchanting Christmas Nutcracker scene by acclaimed engraver, Harry Brockway.
The winning £5 will then be entered into our Coin Design of the Year vote as part of the 2018 Change Checker Awards, alongside the top 10p, 50p and £2 coins from 2018 to determine which coin should be crowned the overall winner!
The voting has now closed and the results can be found below:
It’s now time for you to vote for your overall winner, shortlisted from Change Checker’s favourite A-Z 10p, 50p, £2 and £5 coin of the year.
View our full range of CERTIFIED BU £5 coins here >>
