1999 Millennium Gold Five Pounds Crown
In 1999 and 2000, the United Kingdom issued commemorative five pound crowns in cupro-nickel, silver proof and gold proof versions. The gold proof versions are similar to each other in both years, except for the different dates on the obverse. Both dates have the dual dates 1999 and 2000 on their reverse.
Obverse
The obverse (head), which is dated 1999, bears the fourth major different portrait of the Queen, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, and introduced in 1998.
Reverse
Designed by Jeffery Matthews and modelled by Royal Mint engraver Robert Evans, the reverse of the coin perfectly captures the passage of time from this century into the new millennium.
The focal point of the design bears a representation of the British Isles with a pair of clock hands, pivoted on Greenwich and set at the crucial twelve o'clock position, with the important millennium dates of 1999 and 2000 incorporated either side.
In addition, the traditional beading around the outer edge has been transformed into the minutes and hours of a clock face, further enhancing the essential theme of the design. This is continued by the incuse edge inscription:-
WHAT'S PAST IS PROLOGUE
taken from Shakespeare's The Tempest and recognising the dawn of the new millennium as an opportunity to look into the future.
Confusing or What?
Not only do both issues of this gold proof crown bear both dates 1999 and 2000 on their reverse, but their packaging, and their Certificates of Authenticity are also very similar, as both have the date 2000 on them. We think this was to help the Royal Mint market them during 1999 as "Millennium" coins. Making a second issue dated 2000 was probably done to get a second bite at the cherry. According to many people, and mathematically they are quite correct, the third millennium did not start January 1st 2001, or midnight on the 31st December 2000.
We have shown the obverse side of the 1999 issue, the 2000 obverse is shown on our 2000 Gold Proof Millennium Crown page. The reverses are identical.
Especially note the very prominent and confusing "2000" on the front of the certificate.
Brief History of the Crown
Please see our Gold Five Pounds Information page for brief historical notes about gold proof crowns, and gold five pound pieces.
Description | Issue Limit | Mintage | Issue Price
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1999 Millennium Proof Gold Five Pound | 2,500 | 1,487 | £595
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Prices & Availability
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Postage & Packing
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Obverse of the 1999 Gold Proof Five Pound Crown
Other £5 Gold Pieces
Reverse of the 1999 Gold Proof Five Pound Crown
1999 Gold Proof Five Pound Crown in Presentation Box
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