Collectors Guide
Elizabeth II Crowns
The Elizabeth II crown (five shillings) was issued primarily as a commemorative coin throughout the reign, beginning with the 1953 Coronation and continuing through major national events. Unlike earlier circulating crowns, these pieces were struck for collectors and special occasions, often featuring distinctive designs. This guide provides a complete reference to Elizabeth II crowns, including key issues, specifications and collector insights.
Introduction
The Elizabeth II Crown was struck in 1953 and 1965 only, making it one of the most concise series of the reign. Both issues were entirely commemorative in purpose — the 1953 Crown marking the Coronation, and the 1965 Crown issued as a memorial to Sir Winston Churchill. This page provides an overview of the Elizabeth II Crown series, including the two distinct issues, their designs, obverse varieties, and year-by-year reference images.
Despite the small number of dates, both years offer points of collector interest. The 1953 Crown is known in two obverse varieties, while the 1960 issue — often grouped with this series — exists in a scarcer polished die version shipped to the New York World's Fair.
- 1953 Issue – Coronation Crown struck in copper-nickel, featuring the St. Edward's Crown reverse by Edgar Fuller and Cecil Thomas. Two obverse varieties are identified.
- 1960 Issue – A reissue of the 1953 reverse type, struck for the British Trade Fair in New York. A scarcer polished die version exists.
- 1965 Issue – Churchill Memorial Crown with a portrait of Sir Winston Churchill on the reverse by Oscar Nemon, and the standard Gillick effigy on the obverse.
Coinage Details
1953 Issue — The Coronation Crown was struck in copper-nickel and released to coincide with the accession ceremonies of Queen Elizabeth II. The obverse portrait was by Mary Gillick; the reverse, depicting the quartered Royal Arms beneath St. Edward's Crown, was designed by Edgar Fuller and Cecil Thomas. Two obverses are recorded, distinguishable by the position of certain letters relative to the border beads and the clarity of the Queen's silhouette.
1960 Issue — Struck using the same reverse type as 1953 but with the updated obverse, the 1960 Crown was produced primarily for the British Trade Fair held in New York. Standard strikes are not uncommon, but the polished die version — supplied in blue plastic cases for the exhibition — is considerably harder to find in undamaged high grade, as unsold pieces were returned in bulk and frequently marked in transit.
1965 Issue — The Churchill Memorial Crown carried a portrait of Sir Winston Churchill on the reverse, modelled by the sculptor Oscar Nemon. Two reverses are recorded by Davies, differing in the thickness of the lettering. The edge treatment also differed from 1953, with a reeded edge replacing the earlier plain incuse-lettered edge.
Elizabeth II Crown Issues
1953 1+A
1953 2+A
1960
1960 PD
1965
Specifications
| Years Issued | 1953 and 1965 only |
| Diameter | 38.61 mm |
| Weight | 28.28 g |
| Edge |
1953: Plain with incuse lettering 1965: Reeded |
| Alloy | Copper-nickel |
| Obverse Designer |
1953: Gilbert Ledward 1965: Mary Gillick |
| Reverse Designer |
1953: Edgar Fuller & Cecil Thomas 1965: Oscar Nemon |
Year-by-Year Reference
1953
Two obverses are identified for the 1953 Crown.
| 1953 Crown |
|---|
| Obverse 1 | Obverse 2 |
|
|
| I of GRATIA points at large border bead | I of GRATIA points at smaller border bead |
Davies suggests Obverse 2 is somewhat scarcer.
| 1953 Crown - 1 + A | |
|---|---|
| Obverse | Reverse |
|
|
| 1953 Crown - 2 + A | |
| Obverse | Reverse |
|
|
1960
| 1960 Crown |
|---|
| Standard Strike | |
|---|---|
| Obverse | Reverse |
|
|
| Polished Die (Polished Flan) | |
| Obverse | Reverse |
|
|
Note from ESC:
1960 Polished Die Crowns were struck in the UK and shipped to the New York Exhibition in blue plastic cases.
Unsold pieces were removed, bagged, and shipped back, often causing marks.
High-grade examples are hard to find.
1965
Davies identifies two distinct reverses, relating to the thickness of the lettering.
| 1965 Crown Thick Lettering |
|---|
| Obverse | Reverse |
|
|
|
| 1965 Crown Thin Lettering |
|---|
| Obverse | Reverse |
|
|
|
References
Attributions and variety identifications for the George V Halfcrown series are based principally on the standard published references listed below. These works form the core framework for catalogue numbering, die classification, and comparative study.
- Coins of England and the United Kingdom
- ESC – English Silver Coinage
- Bull – English Silver Coinage since 1649
- Davies – British Silver Coins since 1816