In recognition of one of the world’s most unique vehicles ever introduced, the British Royal Mint is offering extremely limited 2009 Mini 50th Anniversary Proof Coins struck in gold and silver and in denominations of either £1, £5 or £10. The coins are sure to be a hit with coin collectors and vintage car enthusiasts.
The Mini owes its creation to the fuel rationing of the 1950’s in Great Britain. Still recovering from the effects of World War II, fuel supplies were not enough to meet the demand of all the full size cars on the road. Smaller cars like the Volkswagen Beetle were becoming more popular and British manufacturers wanted to compete.
Their answer was the British Motor Corporation’s Mini. Innovative design by Alec Issigonis allowed the front wheeled drive car, which had a footprint of only 10 × 4 × 4ft (3 × 1.2 × 1.2m), to hold 4 adults by placing the motor transversely. Most front wheeled drive cars released in the years to come would also follow this design. In fact, so original was this concept, the Mini placed 2nd the Car of the 20th Century contest.
Many versions of the Mini would be produced over the years, and an incarnation is still available today. As unique and in much more limited supply is the coin honoring the classic car.
Coin specifications, mintages, design and order information
These coins were struck by The Royal Mint for the Island of Alderney. As legal tender, the obverse or heads side of the coin features Ian Rank-Broadley’s profile of Queen Elizabeth II. Also shown is "ALDERNEY," "[FIVE or TEN for the silver versions and ONE for the gold] POUNDS," "QUEEN ELIZABETH II" and "2009."
The reverse of the coin displays David Cornell’s design of a side image of the Mini. Included as well is the inscription "Mini" and "50th Anniversary of the first Mini." The £10 Proof silver design includes a full color British Union flag on the roof of the coin.
£5 Proof silver version
The proof silver £5 coin is limited to just 2,000. It is struck from .925 sterling silver, weighs 28.28 grams and has a diameter of 38.61 millimeters. The issue price is £44.95 (~$66US). It may be ordered on the following Mint page:
The 2009 50th Anniversary of the Mini £5 Silver Proof Coin
£10 Proof silver version
The proof silver £10 coin is limited to only 500. It is struck from .925 sterling silver, weighs 155.52 grams and has a diameter of 65 millimeters. The issue price is £275.00 (~$405US). It may be ordered on the following Mint page:
The 2009 50th Anniversary of the Mini £10 Silver Proof Coin
£1 Proof gold version
The proof gold coin is limited to 5,000. It has a denomination of one pound, is struck from .999 fine gold, weighs 1.24 grams and has a diameter of 13.92 millimeters. The issue price is £72.50 (~$107US). The coin may be ordered on the following Mint page:
The 2009 50th Anniversary of the Mini £1 Gold Proof Coin
Customers may also place orders by calling the Royal Mint directly at 0845 60 88 222. North America residents should use these contact details.
About The Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is a department of government and its primary responsibility remains the provision of the United Kingdom coinage. Its reputation, however, extends beyond this and internationally it has a reputation for making some fascinating coins for over 100 countries.
The history of the Royal Mint itself stretches back over 1100 years. There is an unbroken link from the scattered workshops of the moneyers of Anglo-Saxon London to a single mint within the Tower of London, from a purpose-built premises at Tower Hill to the huge modern coining plant in South Wales.
In April 1975 the Mint was established as a Government Trading Fund, operationally very similar to a government-owned company.
