1997 - Gold Five Pound Proof Coin, Golden Wedding Anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen

This gold proof £5 coin (aka quintuple Sovereign, or Crown) was produced for the golden wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip. 2,750 coins were issued to celebrate the occasion.

The gold proof coin obverse was designed by Philip Nathan, best known for the Britannia coin design. It features conjoint portraits of The Queen and Prince Philip to symbolise their unity, with similarities to the portraits of King William & Queen Mary, or Queen Victoria & Prince Albert.

The reverse of the gold coin was designed by Leslie Durbin, a legendary silversmith, but modelled by Philip Nathan. The crown of St. Edward is at the top, with shields bearing the Royal Arms and Prince Philip's coat of arms beneath.

Durbin made his name during the Second World War for his work on a ceremonial longsword ordered at the request of King George VI. The sword was presented by Churchill to Stalin in 1943 in honour of the lives lost during the Battle of Stalingrad. Durbin went on to become Britain's finest silversmith, teaching at the Royal College of Art and Central School whilst also running his smithing business.

This product is supplied as 'coin only' in a plastic capsule. There is no box or certificate.