Coins unveiled marking Queen's birthday and Decimal Day anniversary

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The Queen will have her special-issue 95th birthday £5 coin inscribed with her pledge to reign with 'my heart and my devotion'.

Her Majesty, who is already the longest reigning monarch that Britain has ever had, will celebrate the milestone in April before another official birthday in June.

The words engraved on the coin reference her first ever televised Christmas address that was broadcast in 1957.

The Queen told the public in her address: 'In the old days the monarch led his soldiers on the battlefield and his leadership at all times was close and personal.

'Today things are very different. I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice, but I can do something else, I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.'

In addition to Her Majesty's birthday, the Royal Mint is also releasing coins to commemorate other British anniversaries.

The anniversary of the birth of Sir Walter Scott, recognised as one of the most influential Scots in history due to his contribution to literature, will also be commemorated with a £2 coin.

The 75th anniversary of the death of HG Wells, who wrote classic science fiction novels such as The Time Machine and The War Of The Worlds, will also feature on a commemorative £2 coin with a design capturing images from his work.

The 50th anniversary of decimalisation when Britain's modern coins were first introduced will be commemorated on a 50p coin.

Another new 50p coin will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the death of the inventor John Logie Baird, famous for his early prototypes of the television.

Clare Maclennan, of the consumer division at The Royal Mint, said: 'Each year The Royal Mint unveils a series of commemorative coins to celebrate key moments and milestones that helped shape Britain.

'This year's annual set marks some of the biggest anniversaries in 2021, including Her Majesty the Queen's 95th birthday and John Logie Baird's legacy of innovation. Each coin is a miniature work of art and has been designed as a treasured keepsake or gift.

'This year's annual set is particularly special for The Royal Mint as we celebrate one of the biggest milestones in our 1,100-year history - the anniversary of decimalisation.

'This was one of the largest and most intensive public awareness campaigns ever staged by the government and introduced the coins that we know today.

'Decimalisation was the birth of modern coin collecting and it is fitting that the anniversary has been celebrated on a 50 pence, which is Britain's most loved coin.'

The commemorative set will be available to purchase from the Royal Mint website.
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