Issued in 2000 to celebrate the 100th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, this exquisite Gold Proof £5 coin honours one of the most warmly regarded figures in modern royal history. Born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon on 4 August 1900, she became Queen Consort in 1936 alongside King George VI and remained a much-loved public presence for more than six decades.

Struck in 22 carat gold and finished to the highest Proof standard, this impressive commemorative coin captures a remarkable royal milestone in lasting detail. With a diameter of 38.61mm and a weight of 39.94g, it has a commanding presence in the hand, while its polished fields and frosted design create the distinctive contrast associated with Proof coinage. Only 3,000 examples were issued worldwide, making this a limited commemorative edition for collectors of modern royal coinage.

The obverse features Ian Rank-Broadley’s fourth definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The dignified likeness is surrounded by the inscription ELIZABETH II · DEI · GRA REGINA · FID · DEF, identifying The Queen as Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith. Rank-Broadley’s portrait became one of the defining coinage images of Elizabeth II’s reign, and its appearance on this issue creates a meaningful connection between mother and daughter.

On the reverse, also designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, a smiling portrait of The Queen Mother is framed by groups of cheering people. The figures on one side are dressed in Victorian clothing to mark her birth in 1900, while those on the other appear in modern dress to celebrate her centenary in 2000. Beneath the portrait is a representation of The Queen Mother’s signature, a distinctive feature that made this the first UK coin to include a signature as part of its design.

The reverse inscription reads QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER, accompanied by the dates 1900–2000 and the denomination FIVE POUNDS. Together, the design and wording create a warm, personal tribute to a royal figure whose century-long life connected the Victorian age with the beginning of a new millennium.

A beautifully crafted celebration of royal history, the 2000 Queen Mother Centenary Gold Proof £5 Coin brings together limited-edition status, fine 22 carat gold and an important first in British coin design. It is a memorable addition for collectors with an interest in the Royal Family, commemorative £5 coins and the portraiture of Ian Rank-Broadley.