1977 AD., United Kingdom, 25th Anniversary of Accession of Elizabeth II commemorative, 25 New Pence, KM 920.
United Kingdom, Elizabeth II, 25th Anniversary of Accession of Elizabeth II (Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II) commemorative (a non circulating issue), engraver: Arnold Machin, 1977 AD.,
25 New Pence (1 Crown) (38,5 mm / 28,10 g), copper-nickel, 28,28 g theor. mint weight, mintage 37.061.000 (plus 194.000 proof), medal alignment ↑↑, reeded edge,
Obv.: ELIZABETH·II - DG·REG FD / 1977 , Elizabeth II on horseback left.
Rev.: (no legend) , crown of Edward above ampulla and golden spoon, floral decoration around (no indication of value or denomination).
KM 920 .
Year / Mintage
1977 37.061.000
1977 Brass Plated
1977 194.000 Proof
1977 (RMF) Seated in Royal Mint Folder and First Day Covers
1981 (RMF) reported not confirmed
The crown, originally known as the "crown of the double rose", was an English coin introduced as part of King Henry VIII's monetary reform of 1526 with the value of 5 shillings.
The first coins were minted in 22 carat crown gold, and the first silver crowns were produced in 1551 during the reign of King Edward VI. However some gold crowns continued to be made up until 1662. No crowns were minted in the reign of Mary I, but silver as well as gold coins were minted in the reigns of Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles I.
After decimalisation on February 15, 1971 a new coin known as a 25p (25 pence) piece was introduced. Whilst being legal tender and having the same decimal value as a crown, the 25p pieces were issued to commemorate events, e.g. 1972 was for the 25th wedding anniversary of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The 1977 issue was to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's silver Jubilee, the 1980 issue for the 80th birthday of Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and, in 1981, the coin was issued to celebrate the marriage of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles. Crown sized coins continue to be issued for major Royal events. As the crown had been five shillings before decimalisation, the denomination continued as 25 pence for the first ten years. Four issues were made between 1971 and 1981. Further issues continue to be minted to the present day, initially with a value of twenty-five pence, and then, from 1990, with a value of five pounds. A characteristic of all of these four 25p versions is that they have no indication of value, whereas the later 5 pound coins all do.