The Royal Mint has unveiled the first official UK coin celebrating Princess Anne, marking her 75th birthday and her extraordinary dedication to public service. Dubbed the “Anne-iversary coin,” the £5 commemorative piece was personally approved by the Princess Royal herself.
The coin’s design features a refined portrait of the king’s sister, adorned with the Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara and her iconic bouffant hairstyle. Surrounding the image is the tribute inscription: “The Princess Royal – Celebrating 75 Years – Duty and Devotion,” honouring her steadfast royal commitment over the decades.
Known as one of the hardest working royals, Princess Anne’s milestone birthday falls on August 15. While she chose a private charities forum at Buckingham Palace to mark the occasion, this coin stands as a public acknowledgment of her remarkable lifetime of service. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, remarked, “For the first time in British numismatic history, we are honoured to celebrate the Princess Royal on an official UK coin. Her unwavering dedication to public service and charitable causes makes her truly deserving.”
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To the right of Anne’s portrait is her official coat of arms, while the coin’s obverse displays the King’s image, who personally gave final approval for the design. Designer Thomas T Docherty aimed to capture Anne’s “strength of character” and “understated elegance,” basing the portrait on a renowned photograph by John Swannell. The image portrays the princess looking directly at the camera, embodying her remarkable legacy.
Docherty shared, “The portrait reflects her dedication to duty and the role she plays within her family, nation, and the Commonwealth. Her elegant yet strong presence inspired the coin’s design.” Proudly Scottish himself, he also praised Anne’s commitment to Scottish communities, hoping the coin serves as a fitting tribute.
The tiara featured on the coin has a rich history. The Art Deco-style diamond and aquamarine Cartier piece was originally a wedding anniversary gift from King George VI to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Later, she gifted it to Princess Anne on her wedding day in 1973. Anne also wears matching aquamarine pendant and earrings, believed to be crafted from stones remade from the tiara in the 1990s.
As the only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne is known for her practical and no-nonsense approach. Her resilient spirit is legendary—from surviving a kidnapping attempt to competing in the Olympics and tirelessly supporting her mother before becoming a cornerstone of the streamlined royal family.
Despite recent health challenges, including a five-night ICU stay after a horse-related incident, Anne carried out nearly 400 official engagements in 2024 alone—more than any other royal.
The commemorative coin will be available from July 18 on the Royal Mint’s website. The brilliant uncirculated edition is priced at £17.50, with other versions including a silver proof at £110, a silver proof piedfort at £208, and a gold proof priced at £4,110. Additionally, the coin can be purchased as part of sets featuring George VI coins from the year of Anne’s birth, ranging in price from £25 to £4,500.