Coin
25 New Pence - Elizabeth II Silver Wedding; Silver (1972) — United Kingdom
United Kingdom • 1972 • KM# 917a, Sp# LL1
Overview
Commemorative issue celebrating the 25th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Struck as Proof.
Specifications
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Year
- 1972
- Composition
- Silver (.925)
- Weight
- 28.28 g
- Diameter
- 38.61 mm
- Thickness
- 2.9 mm
- Mint
- Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom
- Shape
- Round
- Technique
- Milled
- References
- KM# 917a, Sp# LL1
- Issuer
- United Kingdom
Design details
Obverse
Second crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, with the legend 'ELIZABETH II D·G·REG·F·D·' around.
Reverse
The crowned letters EP are within a floral garland, with the naked figure of Eros at the center. The legend '·ELIZABETH AND PHILIP·' and dates '20 NOVEMBER·1947-1972' are also present.
Collector insights
- Design heritage: Arnold Machin (obverse), Arnold Machin (reverse) is credited as the designer for the Standard circulation coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
- Struck at: Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom. Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
- Mintage vs. survival: A moderate mintage of 100,000. Grade rarity is usually the driver of value here — mid-grade circulated pieces are common, but original-surface uncirculated coins can command a strong premium.
- Precious metal content: Silver (.925) — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
- Catalogue reference: Listed as
KM# 917a, Sp# LL1. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.
Curator Insights
Historical context
Issued in 1972, this coin commemorates the silver wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. It was the first decimal crown-sized coin produced by the Royal Mint following the UK's currency decimalization in 1971. While traditional crowns were valued at five shillings, this commemorative issue was officially denominated as 25 New Pence.
Design heritage
Arnold Machin designed both the obverse and reverse, maintaining aesthetic consistency across the issue. The reverse depicts the Greek god Eros surrounded by a floral garland and the initials of the royal couple, while the obverse features Machin's standard second portrait of the Queen. Machin is widely recognized for his work on the definitive British postage stamp and other significant royal commissions.
Varieties and technical notes
This specific issue is the Silver Proof version, struck in sterling silver with a reeded edge and a weight of 28.28 grams. Collectors should verify the presence of a frosted finish on the relief and mirrored fields, which distinguishes the proof from the standard copper-nickel circulation versions. Check for the orientation of the milled edge for consistency with Royal Mint standards during the early 1970s.
Survival and modern availability
With a mintage of 100,000, this silver proof striking is significantly scarcer than the millions of base-metal versions produced for the anniversary. As these were issued in protective presentation cases, high-grade examples are common, though some specimens may exhibit natural toning or cloudiness on the silver surfaces over time. They remain popular among royal collectors and silver stackers due to their high precious metal content.
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Explore more
Browse more items in the full catalog or view United Kingdom in the country guide.