The Five Queen's Portraits - Poll

[swAgger]

After he had been criticised for his flatteringly young portrait of the Queen, who at the time would have been almost 60 and the portrait was to run until she was 70, Raphael Maklouf said he was "creating a symbol, regal and ageless". In a way, i see his point, a monarch is a symbol. And on a coin it's the symbol being represented. It doesn't need to be absolutely age accurate, warts and all (as the saying goes! I wouldn't insinuate there are any royal warts.... so lay the pitchforks back down, people)

This came up in a recent thread, where a younger portrait has been used on a 2018 coin. It got me thinking what would people like to see on coins now, if it was an option?

So purely from a numismatic interest; first off, what is your favourite portrait in the coinage period?

and, what portrait would you choose to see on the coins, today. Do you prefer to stay with an accurate age appropriate portrait or more of a likeness, a symbolic one?

 

[Bullionaire]

1. Too Roman.

2. Too devious. Looks like shes just let a smelly fart out and knows full well that no one will dare blame her.

3. Ex machina

4 and 5. Your majesty!

[Xander]

21 minutes ago, Bullionaire said:

Too devious. Looks like shes just let a smelly fart out and knows full well that no one will dare blame her.

What do you think the Corgis were for?

[ChardsCoinandBullionDealer]

Not one of the big 5, but my favourite is the Thomas Humphrey Paget portrait used on the 1965 Isle of Man commemorative issue here https://www.chards.co.uk/1965-isle-of-man-200th-anniversary-revestment-act-coin-set/1490

I much prefer the old style of portraits, some of the modern ones look almost cartoonish when translated from the design to the coin. 

[captaincavemanjay]

How could you miss this one out

 

https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/great-britain-5-pounds-km-1038-2003-cuid-1165292-duid-1328309

[sovereignsteve]

Has to be the Mary Gillick although the engraving doesn't have the greatest detail. The reason being it's associated with the early Eliz II sovs which have a gorgeous look and finish to them.

[westminstrel]

3 hours ago, sovereignsteve said:

Has to be the Mary Gillick although the engraving doesn't have the greatest detail. The reason being it's associated with the early Eliz II sovs which have a gorgeous look and finish to them.

I’ve always wondered about the detail on that portrait. It gives me the impression it’s been smoothed out due to excessive handling.

Also, anyone thoughts as to why the legend used with this portrait had a + sign?

[KevjustKev]

Think it's also down to what you a used to. If you are an older person the Gillick may have a more familiar feel as it is more like real money!

[kimchi]

It should reflect her age as well as being a symbol, I know you can only work with what you've got to some extent but I find 4 & 5 so unnecessarily ugly. I voted 4 as the most appropriate as the least worst of the two older heads.

4 = Empire Strikes Back Grumpy Yoda

5 = Phantom Menace Yoda (original cross-eyed puppet version)

[JunkBond]

Yes 4 & 5 are my pet hates.

1 & 3 gets my vote.

 

[kimchi]

14 minutes ago, JunkBond said:

Yes 4 & 5 are my pet hates.

1 & 3 gets my vote.

 

I think part of the problem is they made her so blimmin big as well - just why?!!

Yes 1 & 3 for design for me, although 3 has the 'chopped off' head effect like 4 & 5. I love the robe in 2 and it's the one I grew up with so is my fave.

[PansPurse]

16 minutes ago, kimchi said:

I think part of the problem is they made her so blimmin big as well - just why?!!

Yes 1 & 3 for design for me, although 3 has the 'chopped off' head effect like 4 & 5. I love the robe in 2 and it's the one I grew up with so is my fave.

I think it's been deliberately kept to the same scale; so as the Queen's head has grown larger, the portrait grows too...

[ChardsCoinandBullionDealer]

8 hours ago, westminstrel said:

I’ve always wondered about the detail on that portrait. It gives me the impression it’s been smoothed out due to excessive handling.

Also, anyone thoughts as to why the legend used with this portrait had a + sign?

Will ask Lawrence if he knows.

[ChardsCoinandBullionDealer]

16 minutes ago, PansPurse said:

I think it's been deliberately kept to the same scale; so as the Queen's head has grown larger, the portrait grows too...

Her earlobe on the fifth portrait is definitely longer than expected. If this is what happens as you get older I'm starting to worry.

[kimchi]

1 hour ago, PansPurse said:

I think it's been deliberately kept to the same scale; so as the Queen's head has grown larger, the portrait grows too...

 

[ChardsCoinandBullionDealer]

15 minutes ago, ChardLizzie said:

Will ask Lawrence if he knows.

Rochelle has suggested it might be a cross as it appears after F:D: (Fidei defensor - defender of the faith). Also as she is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, maybe the cross relates to the flag of England and the Church of England? 
You've started something @PansPurse

[kimchi]

Maybe it's a Templar cross

[westminstrel]

1 hour ago, ChardLizzie said:

Rochelle has suggested it might be a cross as it appears after F:D: (Fidei defensor - defender of the faith). Also as she is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, maybe the cross relates to the flag of England and the Church of England? 
You've started something @PansPurse

It was I who asked the question  So thanks for asking and getting back with this. It does make sense given the FID DEF part of the inscription.

[westminstrel]

IMO the first three are sized well and feel “symbolic” in their interpretations. The last two certainly look more like actual portraits to me. 

And I too have always found the fourth portrait rather large, especially on the Aussie 50 cent coin which itself is quite big.

[swAgger]

I see i needn't have worried about the pitchforks, then. Let's see, so far you guys have touched on flatulence, elastic earlobes, yoda, onset of later-life-massive-head-syndrome. Tough audience!

[kimchi]

28 minutes ago, swAgger said:

I see i needn't have worried about the pitchforks, then. Let's see, so far you guys have touched on flatulence, elastic earlobes, yoda, onset of later-life-massive-head-syndrome. Tough audience!

Come on, don't be so coy, tell us about the royal warts!

[ChardsCoinandBullionDealer]

2 hours ago, westminstrel said:

It was I who asked the question  So thanks for asking and getting back with this. It does make sense given the FID DEF part of the inscription.

Oops sorry @westminstrel we love a question that gets us all talking

[swAgger]

9 minutes ago, kimchi said:

Come on, don't be so coy, tell us about the royal warts!

No,no, far be it for me to even suggest.

 

(you won't believe it! i'll PM you )

[kimchi]

1 hour ago, swAgger said:

No,no, far be it for me to even suggest.

 

(you won't believe it! i'll PM you )

Just had a look - blimey (to put it politely) 

Something I shan't be able to forget in a hurry (alas )...

May I humbly suggest we get back to all things portrait, Yoda, flatulence and elephantism-related?

[swAgger]

43 minutes ago, kimchi said:

Just had a look - blimey (to put it politely) 

Something I shan't be able to forget in a hurry (alas )...

May I humbly suggest we get back to all things portrait, Yoda, flatulence and elephantism-related?

I know, right? They really should confiscate smart phones from the palace staff.

Agreed. It ends here. Let's never share those files around.