Release: JUNE 3, 2022
"Wind's in the East / Mist coming in/ like something is brewing/ about to begin.
Can't put me finger/on what lies in store,
But I feel what's to happen all happened before."
Bert the Chimney Sweep – Mary Poppins
70 years ago, in 1952, the city of London was socked in with a smog the likes of which had not been seen prior. It was a “perfect storm” of coal smoke and a thermal inversion over the city killing over 4,000 Londoners. That same year, the reign of King George VI ended when he died. The English winds changed again when George’s daughter Elizabeth Alexandra Mary ascended to the throne at age 27 – almost exactly the same age as was Mary Poppins.
Now, at age 96, Queen Elizabeth II is reveling in her Platinum Jubilee celebrating 70 years as Britain’s beloved monarch. During that time, it hasn’t always been a “jolly holiday” as the lovable chimney sweep opined in song.
Recent incidents involving son Prince Andrew or the departure of Prince Harry to live in the US losing his titles and royal patronage aside, Elizabeth has seen more than her share. She witnessed first-hand the blitz of World War II, the Falklands War, Afghanistan and more. She worked side-by-side with Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. Of course, she lived the death of Princess Diana and subsequent emergence of Camilla Parker Bowles. In her seven decades she has also been vetted, tested and respected by virtually every global head-of-state.
While Elizabeth is instantly recognized from her endless television appearances, she is perhaps best known thanks to the TV series The Crown. (Elizabeth was the first to have her coronation televised and the first to deliver a Christmas address on TV.)
Anyone who has visited England or any of its 33 colonies/territories – including our neighbor to the north, Canada – knows her image graces every stamp, coin and piece of currency produced in the United Kingdom. In fact, a review of those over the years offers a detailed look at how the Queen has aged and matured.
In just Britain there have been 31 different portraits of Queen Elizabeth on banknotes. Canada was the first to include her on a $20 bill in 1935 when she was just a nine-year old princess. On coins, Elizabeth has had five different official portraits. For postage, even today, if a larger image of the queen isn’t featured, a small silhouette of the monarch is included on every stamp.
Collectors are certainly aware of the queen’s portraits. They know her profile faces to the right on all coins. That direction switches with each king or queen on the throne. Her father, King George, faced left so Elizabeth faces right. Presumably, if/when Charles assumes the throne, he will face left. It has nothing to do with political leanings.
Collectors also know, especially during this 70th anniversary, of the abundance of different items issued bearing the queen’s picture. They also know what to collect and what to avoid.
There’s no shortage of celebratory items being hawked to the public. From commemorative tea cups and thimbles to special sets of coins, stamps or currency, they are everywhere. It can get wonky. A national TV news story last week featured a man who collected anything and everything royal including an actual piece of Charles and Diana’s 1981 wedding cake. Eww.
Already in the queue for 70th anniversary-related collectibles are copper, silver, gold and platinum British coins. A five-coin platinum series with a minuscule issuance of just 30 sets is being sold for 17,000 pounds. That is admittedly extremely low and rare. Of course, it’s unknown what demand for it may be in the future.
Some coins from her Gold Jubilee 20 years ago in 2002 have increased nicely in value. Others are about the same as they were then. There is some irony given that platinum – as in this Jubilee – has long been the most valuable precious metal. In 2002, platinum was worth twice the value of gold. Today, the tables have turned. Gold is now worth almost twice that of platinum -- $975 vs. $1850.
The key is to remember the resale market in England and abroad is more robust that it is here. So, it’s best to avoid the hype and try not to second-guess future values. Plus, regarding that future, the queen is set to turn 100 in a few years. If so, the coins and stamps to be issued then would far eclipse those being issued now.
For more collecting advice, visit www.prexford.com