A £5 coin for the Queen’s 90th – but can you spend it?
EMBELLISHED with a garland of nine roses for each decade of her life, this commemorative £5 coin has been released to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday this month.
The limited edition piece issued by the Royal Mint comes in a variety of metals, with the most expensive five- ounce fine gold version costing £7,500.
But there is no guarantee owners will be able to spend them. Banks stopped cashing in such coins in January, after the Royal Mint said they should be for commemorative purposes only.
On the High Street, only the Post Office will accept commemorative coins as payment, but even then it is not guaranteed.
It means owners wanting to cash in their investment would have to sell the coin to a professional col- lector, who set whatever price they want.
The piece was designed by artist and sculptor Christopher Hobbs, who said he ‘raised a few eyebrows’ among palace officials by including the Queen’s age on the coin, before they came to agree with him. The Queen then approved the plans herself.
Mr Hobbs, 75, spent three months working on the design that features roses in recognition of the Queen’s love of nature and a wreath of laurels with four points representing England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Mint is also offering a free £5 coin gift to pensioners who turn 90 on the same day as the Queen – April 21. They can be nominated via the organisation’s Facebook page.
The coins are available to buy on the Mint’s website.