United Kingdom: Gold and Silver Proof Crown Coins Features Renowned Buckingham Palace

The official residence of every British Monarch since the reign of Queen Victoria which began in 1837, the structure once known as Buckingham House was purchased by King George III in 1761 from the distinguished and noble Buckingham family as a gift to his new wife Queen Charlotte. The building was later referred to as the Queen’s House and this is where the couple’s fifteen children were born and raised. Officially, the Palace of St. James was still considered the residence of the Sovereign but the Royal family spent much more of their time just yards away at Buckingham House.

Historical records indicate that a large house existed along with a plantation of mulberry cultivation on the present site from the reign of King James I. The land was purchased in 1698 by John Sheffield, later known as the Duke of Buckingham. At this time, the previous house was demolished and replaced with a grand structure costing the princely sum of £7000 – equal to just under £1,000,000 today.

It was King George III who set about to remodel and modernise the house between 1762 and 1776, at a cost of £73,000. After the death of King George III in 1820, it was his son George IV who sought to transform the family home into a veritable Palace – which he did. From 1825 until the end of his reign in 1830, Buckingham House was enlarged into the imposing U-shaped building which has become so familiar to the world – and at a staggering cost of just under £500,000. With the accession of King William IV, the younger brother of George IV, the new King who was known for his simple tastes showed no inclination to move from his home in Clarence House. So disinterested in the fate of Buckingham Palace, William IV offered the newly renovated massive structure to the Government in 1834 when the Parliament buildings were destroyed by fire - but the offer was politely refused. It fell upon the young Queen Victoria to transform the Palace into the official residence of the royal family as we know it today. With the suggestion from her husband Prince Albert who believed that the space would make the perfect home for their growing family, they moved from Kensington Palace to Buckingham Palace in 1845. From this time on, the residence with its magnificent state and formal reception rooms has remained the reigning Sovereign’s official residence. Although King Charles III resides at Clarence House, his private residence since the death of his Grandmother Queen Elizabeth (1900 – 2002), Buckingham Palace is designated as his official residence.

Designed by graphic artist Henry Gray, his depiction skilfully portrays the grand front-elevation of Buckingham Palace, proudly flying the Royal Standard, the banner which is always hoisted whenever the Sovereign is in residence. Below the intricately detailed illustration of the Royal House, the inscription BUCKINGHAM PALACE is shown. The coin’s circular border is inspired by intricate architectural details found within the Palace’s interior. The obverse of each coin features the definitive effigy of HM King Charles III designed by Martin Jennings and introduced onto British commemorative and circulation type coins since 2022. The denomination 5 POUNDS or 50 PENCE and year of issue 2024 also appears on the obverse as part of the legend surrounding the King’s likeness. 

Available from the 11^th March, the BU Cupro-nickel coins are presented in a sealed, blister-pak type folder with illustrations and informative text about the history of Buckingham Palace. The silver proof strikes are encapsulated and presented in black branded custom cases and accompanied with a numbered certificate of authenticity. The gold pieces are encapsulated and presented in gloss-polished hardwood custom cases accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. The 1/8^th gram .999 gold coin is presented in a sealed, tamper-proof security card with the coins’ specifications printed on the reverse side of the card. For additional information for these and other coins available from the Royal Mint, please visit their online webshop.