1999 Proof 9-Coin UK Annual Set
In 1999, the Euro was officially introduced as an accounting unit although it did not enter circulation until 2002. Closer to home, The Royal Mint released its annual proof set for the year which included nine unique coins from the large £5 crown down to the small 1p piece. There were several commemorative pieces released in the set this year, including a rugby Two Pound and Princess Diana Five Pound. The former was designed by Ron Dutton and features a stylised rugby ball above a packed stadium, in celebration of the successful Rugby World Cup held in Wales that year. The Princess Diana memorial Crown was released two years after her untimely death in 1997. It features an elegant portrait of the Princess of Wales by David Cornell. Accompanying these commemorative pieces is a £1 featuring the Scottish lion rampant, a 50p with Britannia and her lion, and a 20p showing a Tudor rose. A 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p are also included. All nine coins have an obverse design by Ian Rank-Broadley using his recent portrait of Her Majesty the Queen. All of the coins are struck from the same metal alloys as the coins in your change, from brass and brass-nickel, to cupro-nickel. However, they are finished to the higher proof standard resulting in greater definition and a shinier surface. These coins are displayed within a clear acrylic inner case, which allows you to view both the obverse and reverse. The outer case is made of a blue leatherette. You may notice some toning on these sets, this is typical for coins which have were issued several years ago. System.Threading.Tasks.Task`1[System.String] System.Threading.Tasks.Task`1[System.String]