2021 28.28g Great Britain Alfred The Great.925 Silver Proof Coin
Known for his military successes and far-sighted cultural reforms, Alfred the Great is one of the most influential monarchs in British history. Born c.848, when Britain was in the grip of Viking raids, the king went on to become the only leader able to broker peace after years of turmoil. Intelligent, dutiful and fair, Alfred the Great used this period of relative peace in Wessex to pave the way for many changes that shaped the nation and monarchy forever. For 2021, 1,150 years since Alfred the Great became king, The Royal Mint has struck a new official UK coin to pay tribute to this visionary monarch who built the foundations of our future. The reverse design for this £5 coin was created by sculptor John Bergdahl, who was inspired by a priceless Anglo-Saxon relic, the Alfred Jewel. The Proof editions of the coin feature an inscription taken from the artefact – ‘AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN’, which translates as ‘ALFRED ORDERED ME TO BE MADE’ – whilst the Brilliant Uncirculated edition has a milled edge. The obverse features the fifth coinage portrait of Her Majesty The Queen by Jody Clark. The coin is available as a gold Proof, silver Proof Piedfort, silver Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated edition. Each coin comes with packaging revealing the story of this great king and the inspiration behind the coin’s medieval- style reverse design. **KEY FEATURES** • Celebrate the legacy of this visionary monarch • The only official UK coin approved by royal proclamation for this occasion • Bears a reverse design inspired by the precious Alfred Jewel and created by the experienced coinage designer John Bergdahl • The reverse also features ‘punch’ lettering such as that used during Alfred the Great’s reign • Presented with packaging that explores Alfred the Great’s achievements, his links to The Royal Mint, and his impact on the United Kingdom we know today