Coin United Kingdom 1 Crown Elizabeth II - Winston Churchill - 1965 - KM.910

This Crown issued in 1965 by the United Kingdom is catalogued under reference KM.910. Struck in copper-nickel, this coin has a diameter of 38 mm and weighs 28 grams. Its mintage reaches 19,640,000 specimens. The edge is milled.

The obverse features the right-facing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, surrounded by the Latin inscription « ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F·D· », whose full legend reads Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensatrix, meaning « Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith ». The date 1965 also appears on this side. This portrait was engraved by Mary Gillick.

The reverse is dedicated to the memory of Sir Winston Churchill, whose face is depicted in relief, accompanied solely by the inscription « CHURCHILL », written in Latin. This portrait was created by sculptor Oscar Nemon, who had a personal relationship with Churchill and had already produced several works in his likeness.

This coin was struck at the Royal Mint, then located at Tower Hill, London, a facility active at that address from 1810 to 1975. It commemorates the passing of Sir Winston Churchill, who died on 24 January 1965, and stands as one of the first modern British commemorative issues to bear the portrait of a person other than the reigning sovereign on the reverse of a circulation coin.