25p Crown coins are large, distinctive commemorative coins issued by The Royal Mint between 1972 and 1981. They are instantly recognisable to collectors but can cause confusion for people sorting through old coin collections - particularly when some sellers online list them for sums far in excess of their true worth. This article covers what 25p Crowns are, what they are actually worth, and a detailed guide to each of the four designs.
25p Crowns are a continuation of the historic Crown coin, which formed part of British currency for centuries and was worth five shillings in old money. When the UK went decimal on 15 February 1971, a range of new coins were introduced and some existing denominations were repurposed. The Crown became a large commemorative coin, intended as a souvenir or keepsake rather than for everyday spending, and was given a decimal face value of 25p.
The face value of 25p is not displayed on the coins themselves - just as it rarely appeared on the old pre-decimal Crown coins. Four 25p Crown designs were produced between 1972 and 1981, all marking significant royal occasions, which makes them popular with those who collect royal memorabilia as well as coin enthusiasts.
Crown-sized coins continued to be produced by The Royal Mint after 1981, but from that point they carried a face value of £5. Technically, all Crown coins dating back to 1818 have a face value of 25p, but when coin dealers and collectors refer to "25p Crowns", they are generally talking about the four commemorative designs of the 1970s and early 1980s.
No. 25p Crowns are not rare.
Their large size - 38.61mm in diameter - and unusual commemorative designs can lead people to believe they have found something special. The truth is these coins were struck in their millions and sold through post offices and banks across the country. They turn up regularly in old money boxes, coin collections, and family keepsakes.
Most 25p Crowns are made from cupronickel - the same alloy used in everyday change today. The Royal Mint also produced special versions in 925 sterling silver, which are comparatively rarer, with mintage figures in the tens or hundreds of thousands rather than the millions. Silver versions are typically brighter in colour than their cupronickel counterparts and show finer surface detail; they are often found in the presentation case in which they were originally sold.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Face value | 25 pence |
| Diameter | 38.61mm |
| Weight | 28.28g |
| Alloy (standard) | Cupronickel |
| Alloy (silver versions) | 925 sterling silver |
| Shape | Round |
| Issued by | The Royal Mint |
| Years of issue | 1972, 1977, 1980, 1981 |
Most reputable coin dealers will pay face value - 25p - for standard cupronickel 25p Crowns. They are very common coins and dealers handle them regularly. There is a small collectors market for them, since they cannot be found in everyday change, but collectors should pay no more than a couple of pounds for an example in any condition. The Britannia Coin Company sells all four cupronickel 25p Crown designs for £1.99 each.
Some online sellers and marketing companies list these coins for £50 or more, with misleading claims of rarity or value. These prices are not reflective of the true market. You should not pay more than a few pounds for a cupronickel example under any circumstances - and you may well find one for free by asking older relatives to check their coin collection.
Sterling silver versions are worth more, as they are far less common. If you have a silver Crown in its original presentation case, The Britannia Coin Company can provide a valuation.
All four 25p Crowns feature a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. Three of the four coins - the 1972, 1980, and 1981 issues - use the definitive coinage portrait designed by British sculptor Arnold Machin. This bust appeared on all British coins from 1968 to 1984 and carries the legend ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D ·.
The 1977 Silver Jubilee Crown is the exception. Its obverse features a full equestrian portrait of the Queen in her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier Guards - an unusual choice, since British monarchs are rarely depicted in full figure on their coinage. This portrait was also designed by Arnold Machin and references the equestrian coinage tradition of earlier monarchs, notably King Charles I.
Issued to mark the silver wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who married on 20 November 1947 and celebrated 25 years together in 1972. The reverse was designed by Arnold Machin and features a central cypher formed from the initials E and P, surrounded by swirling vines with a small cherub between and a crown above. The inscription reads ELIZABETH AND PHILIP above, with 20 NOVEMBER · 1947-1972 below.
Versions issued:
Issued to mark the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne on 6 February 1952. The Silver Jubilee was celebrated with parties and parades across the UK and the Commonwealth. The reverse, also designed by Arnold Machin, depicts the eagle-shaped golden ampulla and spoon used during the coronation service, surrounded by a border of flowering vines with a crown above. The obverse, uniquely among the four 25p Crowns, carries an equestrian portrait of the Queen.
Versions issued:
Issued to mark the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon on 4 August 1900. She came to prominence through her marriage to the future King George VI and was the mother of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse was designed by Richard Guyatt and features a small portrait of the Queen Mother at the centre, surrounded by bows and lions - a visual play on her maiden name, Bowes-Lyon. The surrounding inscription reads QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER with AUGUST 4th 1980 below.
This coin was one of three Crown-sized pieces issued to mark the Queen Mother's milestone birthdays, the others being her 90th birthday in 1990 and her 100th birthday in 2000. Note that the 1980 dated proof set from The Royal Mint does not include this 25p Crown.
Versions issued:
Issued to mark the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral on 29 July 1981, which was watched by a global television audience of around 750 million people. The reverse was designed by sculptor Philip Nathan and features dual portraits of the royal couple - Princess Diana behind and the Prince of Wales in front. The inscription reads H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES AND LADY DIANA SPENCER above, with the year 1981 below. Note that the ordinary 1981 UK Proof Set does not include this Crown.
Versions issued:
The 1965 Churchill Crown is sometimes grouped with the four 25p decimal Crowns, but it is a distinct coin. It was issued to commemorate the death of Sir Winston Churchill in January 1965 - six years before decimalisation. At the time of minting it had a value of one Crown, or five shillings in pre-decimal money. It is technically a 25p coin in modern terms (as are all old Crowns dating back to 1818), but it was not issued as a decimal commemorative and is generally treated as a separate category by collectors.
The portrait of Churchill on the reverse was created by Oscar Nemon, Churchill's favourite sculptor. In terms of value and rarity, it is broadly comparable to the four 25p decimal Crowns described above.
25p Crowns are technically legal tender in the UK. However, in practice, most shops and banks will not accept them. The Royal Mint's guidance has indicated that Crown coins can be exchanged at Post Offices, but in practice many branches do not offer this service for older commemorative coins. If you want to realise the face value of your coins, The Britannia Coin Company is the most straightforward option.
The Britannia Coin Company buys 25p Crowns at face value - 25p per coin. We also sell all four cupronickel designs at £1.99 each, including postage and packaging. If you have silver proof versions, we can provide a current valuation based on condition and whether original packaging is present.
Visit us at 29 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AA, call 01793 205 007 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm), or get in touch via our website at britanniacoincompany.com.