Commemorative £5 coin launched to mark Prince George’s first birthday

The Royal Mint is honouring the Prince’s first birthday with a limited edition £5 coin. But it will cost you £80 to get it!

A commemorative £5 coin will be struck by The Royal Mint to honour Prince George’s first birthday.

The future King, who is third-in-line to the throne, turns one on 22nd July.

To mark the occasion 7,500 sterling silver limited edition £5 coins will be minted and available to buy for £80 each.

This is the first time new UK coins have been produced to mark the first birthday of a member of the Royal family.

The coins have been approved by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

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Old design

The commemorative £5 coin features the heraldic Royal Arms set out in a cruciform pattern, divided by the floral emblems of the UK (a rose, a thistle, a leek and a sprig of shamrock).

The design was originally created for Prince George’s great grandmother Queen Elizabeth II in her coronation year.

[SPOTLIGHT]But it’s not been used in over 50 years since it was featured on a £5 coin struck for the British Exhibition in New York 1960.

Shane Bissett, Director of Commemorative Coin and Bullion at The Royal Mint, said: "We felt there could be no more fitting design to mark the first birthday of our future king than the Royal Arms - the arms of the monarch - minted in honour of the future heir to the throne.

"The choice of a silver coin is significant too as the precious metal is closely associated with new born babies, as crossing the palm of a new born baby with silver is a way to wish them wealth and good health throughout their life.”

Building a collection

Prince George has had both his birth and his christening honoured with commemorative £5 coins.

10,000 Royal Birth 2013 coins were minted, also priced at £80 each, and sold out within a matter of days. 12,500 Royal Christening 2013 coins were struck, priced at £13, but are still available.

If you want to start or complete a collection you can pre-order the new £5 commemorative First Birthday of Prince George 2014 coin from the Royal Mint’s website.

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