Queen Elizabeth II The Fifth Effigy 2026 UK

During the long reign of Queen Elizabeth II, a total of five portraits of this beloved monarch have appeared on British coins. Her fifth effigy is featured on the latest commemorative coin in the thematic series issued by The Royal Mint.

The fifth official portrait of Elizabeth II on coins was created in 2015 by Jody Clark, and for the first time in over a century, the portrait of the reigning British monarch was produced by an engraver at The Royal Mint. The profile of the Queen, wearing a tiara, is framed by her neck. It appears elegant, serene, and harmonious, combining realistic features with subtle stylization. The portrait remained in circulation even after the Queen’s death in 2022, before being gradually replaced by an image of her son and successor—King Charles III. The definitive portrait of Elizabeth II brought to a close a unique chapter in modern numismatics that lasted a full 70 years—from 1953 to 2023…

The period portrait of Elizabeth II, created by engraver Jody Clark, was remastered in 2026 by engraver Gordon Summers. The monarch’s profile on the reverse side is surrounded by rays, symbolizing eternity and elegance. The obverse side of the coin is dedicated to the issuer’s attributes—namely, a portrait of the current king, Charles III, the text CHARLES III D G REX F D (Charles III, by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith), and the nominal value of 5 POUNDS (GBP).

The commemorative coin, minted from base metals, is stored in special packaging that tells its story through words and images (in English).