Celebrities on Coins - Princess Diana The news shocked us. Diana, Princess of Wales (Diana Frances; née Spencer) 1 July 1961 - 31 August 1997. Just about everyone throughout the civilized world was saddened on that fateful day in August 1997. Newspapers, radio broadcasts and TV newscasts saturated the airwaves with photos of Princess Di, stories of her accomplishments, and comments from her many admirers. I, too, was saddened. Were you? Being Coin Talk is a forum where numismatists gather to learn more about coins, coin collecting and to share their numismatics experiences, I want to share with you some commemorative coins that bear or feature Princess Diana on them. NOTE: I give you the following links solely for the purpose of viewing the coin. If a link is to a website offerring the coin for sale it's not a recommendation from me as to the coin, its price or the offerer nor is it an approbation of same. As you know Prtincess Diana was a member of the British royal family and an international personality of the late 20th century as the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981. The wedding, which was held at St. Paul's Cathedral, was televised and watched by a global audience of over 750 million people. Perhaps you were one of those witnessing the nuptials. The marriage produced two sons: Princes William and Harry. Two coins were struck to commemorate the wedding. Both coins bear the denomination 25 Pence, were struck in 1981 and measure 38.61mm (Crown-sized). One coin (KM# 925), struck in Copper-Nickle, was released into circulation with a mintage of 26,773,000: The other coin (KM# 925a), a proof struck in silver (0.8409 ounce ASW) was limited to a mintage of 218,000. All the devices on both coins are the same so I am providing only a photo of the Copper-Nickle KM# 925 (photo courtesy of Don's World Coin Gallery): GREAT BRITAIN 1981 COPPER-NICKLE 25 NEW PENCE - WEDDING DIANA AND PRINCE CHARLES The Pacific nation of Niue (formerly known as the Savage Islands) issued this commemorative 38mm Copper-Nickle Dollar coin (KM# 87) in 1997 in commemoration of the death of Diana, the Princess of Wales. The coin bears her portrait and the legend "The People's Princess" on one side and the Niue arms on the other (photo courtesy of Joels Coins): NIUE 1997 COPPER-NICKLE $1 COIN - PRINCESS DIANA COMMEMORATIVE Two versions of Princess Diana $50 gold (0.1000 ounce AGW) coins were produced in 1997 (KM# 109) by Niue. After all, the Island is a member of the Commonwealth of Great Britain. Variety 2 features Princess Diana with a regular hair style plus the absense of any legend. Variety 1 features Princess Diana in French braids with legend. Photos courtesy of Lynn's Coins: $50 Gold coin Variety 1: NIUE 1997 GOLD $50 - PRINCESS DIANA VARIETY 1 $50 Gold coin Variety 2: NIUE 1997 GOLD $50 - PRINCESS DIANA VARIETY 2 In 2002 Gibraltar authorized the production of a 38.6mm Copper-Nickle business strike Crown featuring the baptism of Prince William who is in swaddling clothes resting on the lap of the Queen Mother while a proud vibrant Lady Diana approvingly looks at them. The same design was struck in silver (0.9250 ounce ASW) proof and on a 1 oz. Gold Crown, Since all three coins bear the same devices, let me present photos of the Gold Crown courtesy of Tax Free Gold: GIBRALTAR 2002 GOLD CROWN - CHRISTENING OF PRINCE WILLIAM And now we come to my last presentation of Princess Diana Coins.The regular issue proof (KM# 52) of the Zambian $200 Kwacha Princess Diana Commemorative Coin is struck in Cupro-Nickle and weighs 26.5 grams. Rare presentation proofs (KM# 52a) were struck in 1oz. (31.1 grams) of pure .999 fine silver measuring 39 mm. Take a look courtesy of Ken Potter's Koin Pro web site: ZAMBIA 1997 SILVER PROOF 200 HWACHA - PRINCESS DIANA COMMEMORATIVE If you scroll down Ken Potter's Koin Pro web page you will find more Zambian coins that feature Princess Diana on sets of Trial Strikes plus other sets and singles. Hope you enjoyed this post... Clinker
Hehe ... Link purely for informational purposes: http://cgi.ebay.com/1997-PRINCESS-DIANA-WALES-MARSHALL-ISLAND-5-SILVER-/370493826813 I just had a look at some of the "William and Kate" engagement and wedding coins. Seems that getting a good portrait for a coin is sometimes difficult, and that also applies to the Diana pieces ... Christian
I like the new Continuity of the Crown Silver dollars the RCM is doing. Prince Henry, William, and Charles one one side and the Queen on the other. That is a set I'd like to have.
