June 29, 1999. Copyright 1999. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

Memorial £5 coin to Princess Diana 

LONDON, June 29 Graphic News: A NEW £5 coin dedicated to the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, goes into circulation on Thursday (July 1) marking the anniversary of the late princessÕ birthday.
A commemorative coin was one of the popular suggestions for a memorial put forward following DianaÕs death. Such crowns have previously been issued for Royal and other major anniversaries or events, including the death of Sir Winston Churchill and the wedding of The Prince and Princess of Wales in 1981. The fact that the crown is United Kingdom legal tender and linked with plans for a national memorial makes the new coin stand apart from other memorabilia.
To find the right image of the most frequently photographed woman in the world proved a tremendous challenge for the artists invited to submit designs by the Royal Mint. Artist David Cornell was finally selected to capture her likeness.
The portrait of Diana appears on the reverse side of the coin, while the portrait of the Queen is carried on the obverse.
The crown is silver in colour, made from the cupro-nickel alloy which is used for the 5p, 10p and 50p coins. It is also issued in silver and gold versions for collectors, presented in a blue velvet plush case accompanied by an illustrated booklet and a signed Certificate of Authenticity. The Silver Proof coin, restricted to a mintage of 350,000 pieces, goes on sale at £32.50
/ENDS
Source: British Royal Mint