Elizabeth and Philip Coin 1947 1972
Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 is British commemorative crown that marks one of most famous royal marriages in modern history. If you found one in an old coin jar or inherited collection, you’re likely holding piece of Queen’s Silver Wedding Anniversary. This guide explains exactly what Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 is, who issued it, how long it stayed in production and what it’s really worth today in both UK and the USA. By the end you’ll know exactly how to value your own Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972.
Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 is UK’s 1972 Silver Wedding Anniversary Crown, struck by Royal Mint to mark 25 years of marriage between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Over 7.4 million standard cupronickel coins were struck, plus limited sterling silver proof version. Most common examples are worth $2 to $8 today. Silver versions proof in strong condition sell for $30 to $80 or more.
What Is Elizabeth and Philip Coin 1947 1972 ?
Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 is officially known as 1972 Silver Wedding Anniversary Crown. Understanding Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 starts with its purpose: it’s British commemorative coin, sized like old five shilling crown, issued to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The couple married on 20 November 1947 date directly stamped on coin, alongside 1972, year of the anniversary.
This coin holds special place in British numismatics. It was very first modern decimal crown size commemorative coin ever struck, arriving just year after the UK moved from pounds, shillings and pence to fully decimal currency system.
Who Announced and Designed Elizabeth and Philip Coin ?
Royal Mint announced and struck this coin in 1972 to mark royal couple’s Silver Wedding. Both sides of Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 were designed by British sculptor and artist Arnold Machin. The design of Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 reflects both tradition royal and newly introduced decimal coinage system. Machin also created well known youthful portrait of the Queen used on UK coins from 1968 to 1984 same portrait that appears on the obverse heads side of this coin.
- Obverse: Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with Latin legend “ELIZABETH II D·G·REG·F·D,” meaning “Elizabeth Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.”
- Reverse: Crowned initials “E” and “P” for Elizabeth and Philip, surrounded by forget me not floral garland, with small figure of Eros between the letters and crown above.
- Inscription: “ELIZABETH AND PHILIP · 20 NOVEMBER · 1947-1972” runs around coin’s edge.
Elizabeth and Philip Coin 1947 1972 Key Facts
| detail | information |
|---|---|
| Official Name | 1972 Silver Wedding Crown Anniversary |
| issuer | Royal Mint, United Kingdom |
| designer | Machin Arnold |
| Year struck | 1972 |
| Face value | 25 new pence formerly a five shilling crown |
| Metal standard | Cupronickel copper nickel |
| Metal proof | .925 Silver Sterling |
| Weight | 28.28 grams |
| Diameter | 38.61 millimeters |
| Total mintage | 7,452,100 standard strikes |
How Long Did the Elizabeth and Philip Coin Circulate?
The Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 was struck only during the 1972-1973 minting year — it was never an ongoing series. The full production run of the Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 stayed limited to that single year. Royal Mint produced 5,652,100 coins at its Tower facility Hill and another 1,800,000 at Llantrisant, for combined total of 7,452,100 standard cupronickel coins.
Despite being legal tender at 25 pence, coin was mostly commemorative issue rather than genuine money circulating. Banks and shops accepted rarely it at face value, even in 1972, since it was clearly meant to be kept as keepsake rather than spent. This is a key detail whenever discussing the Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 — it circulated in name only. Technically, it remains legal tender in the UK today — though in practice, almost no shop or bank will accept or exchange it.
Elizabeth and Philip Coin 1947 1972 Value Today
Value depends heavily on which version you own — the common cupronickel strike, or the rarer sterling silver proof. Understanding these two versions is key to pricing any Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 correctly. Here’s realistic Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 breakdown price:
| version | condition | Approx. value USD |
|---|---|---|
| Cupronickel standard | circulated | $1 – $3 |
| Cupronickel standard | uncirculated | $3 – $8 |
| Sterling Proof Silver | Proof, Boxed | $30 – $80 |
| Silver Sets Proof | Complete multi coin sets | $50 – $150+ |
Prices shift with spot silver prices and collector demand, so always check current listings before buying or selling. This is general information only, not financial or advice investment.
Elizabeth and Philip Coin 1947 1972 Worth in UK
In United Kingdom, most standard cupronickel examples of Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 sell for few pounds often less than £5 since millions were struck and most survive in decent condition. UK buyers and sellers of Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 trade typically through eBay UK or local coin fairs. UK coin dealers and auction sites like eBay UK price typically common examples between £1 and £5. The sterling silver proof version, being far scarcer, commands a stronger premium — usually £25 to £65 depending on condition and whether it retains its original presentation box.
Elizabeth and Philip Coin 1947 1972 Worth in USA
US collectors are less familiar with British crowns commemorative, so demand runs bit lower than in UK. In American dollar terms, Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 typically sells in same $1 to $8 range for cupronickel standard pieces, converted roughly from UK pricing. Anyone pricing an Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 in US market should also check current GBP to USD exchange rate for silver proof listings. Silver still proof versions attract international collectors interested in royal memorabilia, often selling for $30 to $80 on US platforms like eBay and specialty dealers coin, sometimes higher if original Royal Mint box and certificate are included.
Why Elizabeth and Philip Coin Isn’t Worth More
A common question collectors ask: why isn’t this coin more valuable, given its royal history? The answer comes down to how the Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 was produced and distributed. A few reasons explain the modest price of most cupronickel examples:
- High Mintage: over 7.4 million standard coins were struck, so scarcity is low.
- Common base metal: Cupronickel has no precious content metal, unlike silver proof version.
- Widely saved, not lost: Because it was marketed as keepsake, many households kept theirs in excellent condition, so high grade examples aren’t rare especially.
The sterling silver proof version tells a different story. With far fewer struck and genuine silver content, it holds meaningfully more value — and its price tends to track silver spot prices alongside collector demand.
How to Identify Your Elizabeth and Philip Coin
Not sure which version of the Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 you have? Use these quick checks:
- Color: Cupronickel coins look silver gray but slightly duller than true silver. Sterling silver proofs have brighter, richer shine.
- Finish: Proof coins have mirror like, highly polished surface. Standard look strikes more matte.
- Packaging: Genuine silver proofs were usually sold in Royal Mint presentation box or as part of proof boxed set.
- Weight: Both versions share the same 28.28 gram weight and 38.61mm diameter, so weight alone won’t tell them apart check finish and any documentation accompanying instead.
Royal Wedding Behind the Elizabeth and Philip Coin
To fully appreciate Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972, it helps to know story behind date stamped on it. The name itself comes directly from coin’s rim inscription. Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh, on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey five years before she became Queen following her father’s death in 1952. Their wedding was major post war event in Britain, offering moment of celebration during period of rationing and recovery.
By 1972 couple had been married for 25 years. Royal Mint marked this Silver Wedding milestone with special coin celebration that included service at Westminster Abbey and banquet at Buckingham Palace, attended by dignitaries from around world. The Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 became lasting, physical memento of that anniversary one that still circulates collectors among more than five decades later.
How the Elizabeth and Philip Coin Compares to Other Royal Crowns
This wasn’t the only commemorative crown the Royal Mint produced for the royal family. Similar coins followed for later royal milestones:
- 1977 Silver Jubilee Crown: Marking Queen’s 25th year on throne
- 1980 Queen Mother’s 80th Birthday Crown: Honoring Queen Mother’s milestone birthday
- 1981 Royal Wedding Crown: Celebrating marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer
Some collectors seek out complete pairing sets Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 with these later crowns, since they share similar size, weight and commemorative purpose. A complete matched set — especially in silver proof — often sells for more than the sum of its individual coins.
Tips for Selling an Elizabeth and Philip Coin
If you re ready to sell your Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972, few simple steps help you get fair price:
- Identify your version first. Confirm whether you have standard cupronickel strike or sterling silver proof, since price gap between them is significant.
- Check current listings. Search recently sold listings on eBay UK and eBay US to see real transaction prices, not just asking prices.
- Keep the original box, if you have it. Proof coins with their original Royal Mint packaging and certificate typically sell for more.
- Avoid cleaning the coin. Cleaning can strip original toning and actually lower value, especially on silver proof examples.
- Consider a specialist dealer. British commemorative coin dealers often pay more than pawn general shops or online marketplaces.
Elizabeth and Philip Coin 1947 1972 FAQs
What is Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 ?
It’s UK’s 1972 Silver Wedding Anniversary Crown, struck by Royal Mint to mark 25 years of marriage between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Who made the Elizabeth and Philip coin?
Quick answer: Royal Mint struck the coin, with design created by British artist and sculptor Arnold Machin.
How long was the Elizabeth and Philip coin in production?
It was struck only during 1972-1973 minting year as one time commemorative issue, not an ongoing series.
What is Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 worth today ?
Standard cupronickel examples are typically worth $1 to $8. Sterling proof silver versions sell for $30 to $80 or more depending on condition.
Is the Elizabeth and Philip coin still legal tender?
Yes, technically it remains legal tender in the UK at 25 pence, though most shops and banks won’t accept or exchange it in practice.
Is silver version worth more than standard coin ?
Yes, sterling silver proof version contains real silver and was struck in far smaller numbers, making it significantly worth more than common cupronickel strike.
Final Thoughts on Elizabeth and Philip Coin 1947 1972
The Elizabeth and Philip coin 1947 1972 is more of a historical keepsake than a high-value investment for most owners. If you have a standard cupronickel example, it’s a lovely piece of royal history worth a few dollars. If you happen to have the sterling silver proof version in its original box, it’s worth a proper appraisal, since genuine silver content and lower mintage push its value meaningfully higher. Either way, this coin captures a real moment in royal history — the 25th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip — cast permanently into metal.
Curious about other rare coins sitting in your collection? Browse our full library of coin value guides to check prices on other historic and commemorative coins.
Official Sources: Wikipedia — Crown (British Coin) | Wikipedia — Queen Elizabeth II
About the Author
2 thoughts on “Elizabeth and Philip Coin 1947 1972: Complete History & Value Guide”