The Royal Mint and The Queen’s Green Canopy Junior Forester Award

It has unveiled a unique commemorative portrait of Her Majesty The Queen for the launch of the Platinum Jubilee coin collection, and the first collectable UK 50p to celebrate a Royal event.

Junior foresters from Saltford C of E Primary School in Bristol joined in the launch of the new Platinum Jubilee 50p, showcasing the enduring memento of the occasion in the palm of their hands that will be cherished for generations.

RFS Learning and Outreach Manager Becky Wilkinson said: “We are so pleased to offer the Jubilee edition of The Queen’s Green Canopy RFS Junior Forester Award. We are delighted that 7,000 children who complete it will now also receive a commemorative coin from the Royal Mint.

“Planting a Tree is the ideal way to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Jubilee. It will leave a legacy that children will remember and treasure for ever.”

The Queen’s Green Canopy RFS Junior Forester Award inspires young people to learn about the benefit of trees and assist in woodland management in their local community. Schools and Organisations across the UK can sign up to take part here.

Marking 70 years on the throne, the special obverse design of the coin, by esteemed artist John Bergdahl, depicts The Queen on horseback and will be struck on the ‘heads’ side of a new 50p and traditional £5 crown.

Representing Her Majesty’s fondness of nature, the design is reminiscent of the equestrian designs for the 1953 Coronation and 2002 Jubilee crown pieces and has been personally approved by The Queen.

The Royal Mint has told the story of Britain’s longest serving monarch on UK coins since her accession to the throne in 1952.

The Royal Mint’s Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin Clare Maclennan said: “The Platinum Jubilee is an historic occasion and one that is particularly special for The Royal Mint, as the original maker of British Coins for 1,100 years.

“We are also working closely with The Queen’s Green Canopy RFS Junior Forester Award to gift 7,000 coins to children showing their support for the environmental initiative close to the Queen’s heart; and marking the moment with their own piece of history on UK coin.”

The collectable 50p with the new obverse design – and featuring the number 70 along with The Queen’s cypher designed by Osborne Ross on the opposite side – is available from £7. View the full Platinum Jubilee collection, including limited-edition coins, at The Royal Mint.