2009 £5 Proof BU Coin - Big Ben

BIG BEN CELEBRATES IT’S 150^TH ANNIVESARY
 
As a lasting tribute to one of Britain’s most famous landmarks and to celebrate Britain’s pride in our heritage, the Big Ben £5 coin is the perfect gift for those with an interest in British history and politics while, at the same time, commemorating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
As Britain gears up for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Royal Mint is celebrating achievements from our heritage with the release of this £5 coin, which features the London 2012 logo in colour on the reverse while the Queen’s portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS graces the obverse.
 
The image of the clock face of the Palace of Westminster on this £5 coin symbolises democracy and the key role Britain has played through its Parliament in bringing democracy to the world. Big Ben also celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2009.
 
This special coin combines a stirring quote with a symbolic image to encapsulate the emotion, the wonders and greatness of Britain and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  The inscription, ‘Nations touch at their summits’, by the writer Walter Bagehot, is a way of referring to the Olympic Games as the pinnacle of sporting achievement as well as to Westminster as the symbol of a nation.
 
Coin Specifications
 
Denomination - £5
Alloy – Cupro-nickel
Quality – Proof
Weight – 28.28g
Diameter – 38.61mm
Mintage – 100,000
 
This commemorative coin is the first base metal Proof coin of the UK to carry selected colour printing.