Although World Stamp News is a philatelic website, we thought it was appropriate to report on the NEW Coin to be released by Great Britain for the Royal Wedding whilst all collectors patiently await for the stamps to be announced.

Finally the official coin for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding on April 29 was unveiled yesterday, showing the couple on one side with Queen Elizabeth II’s official image on the reverse side of the coin as is standard on all British and Commonwealth circulating and commemorative coins.

The £5 commemorative coin published by the Royal Mint features the text as follows, “William and Catherine, 29 April 2011″, and shows the couple looking at each other.

According to the artist’s impression of the coin, which the prince has approved, Kate, 29, is smiling naturally, showing her teeth, with her long hair covering her ears, while William, 28, has his mouth slightly open.

“The official UK royal wedding coin has been designed by Mark Richards, a fellow of the Royal Society of British Sculptors,” said a spokeswoman, adding that he had been chosen after an invitation-only tender process.

The Royal Mint advisory committee, which is made up of experts in art, design, history and heraldry, selected the design and it was then sent to William for approval.

“With Prince William’s full approval received, the coin design was submitted to the chancellor (finance minister) and finally to Her Majesty The Queen for approval,” she said.

The coin has a value of £5 and is being sold to collectors for £9.99. Pre-orders are possible from the Royal Mint website. A spokesperson for Royal Mint said that the coin will receive final legal approval on March 16 and subsequently will be passed onto production so that the coin is available by the Wedding. .

“Public interest in this great event is already huge, and building every day, so we are anticipating massive demand for these official commemorative coins,” said a statement on the Royal Mint’s website.

In the meantime we patiently await further news on the Royal Wedding Stamps.

published March 4th, 2011