Royal Mint Responds to Queen’s Death

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, Britain's Royal Mint issued a statement of condolence:

Anne Jessopp, chief executive officer at The Royal Mint, said: “On behalf of everyone at The Royal Mint, I would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to The Royal Family at this extraordinarily sad time.

“Queen Elizabeth II ruled with heart and devotion, and will be dearly missed by all of us at The Royal Mint and by millions of people around the world.

“The Royal Mint worked with Her Late Majesty throughout her reign – detailing her journey from new Queen to respected head of state across five coin portraits, and ensuring each new UK coin received her personal seal of approval. The remarkable legacy of Britain’s longest serving monarch will live on for many years to come.” 

After news of the late Queen's death spread, The Royal Mint's website experienced significant delays due to increased traffic volume. Visitors were placed in a queue until the site became available. The site's homepage at present is entirely dedicated to the memory of the Queen, with images of the monarch and links to information about her life and her legacy on Britain's coinage.

The mint also created an FAQ section that provides information on the current state of the United Kingdom's coins:

Are circulating coins bearing the portrait of Her Late Majesty still legal tender?

Yes, all United Kingdom circulating coins bearing portraits of Queen Elizabeth II remain legal tender and in circulation. Further information will follow.

Have you stopped producing coins bearing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait?

As we respect this period of respectful mourning, we continue to strike coins as usual.

Will The Royal Mint Experience open as normal?

Yes, The Royal Mint Experience remains open for visitors. As a mark of respect, a book of condolence will be available for visitors to sign.

(The Royal Mint Experience includes tours and events at the mint.)

For more, visit The Royal Mint online at RoyalMint.com. World Coin News will issue updates on new commemorative coins honoring the Queen as well as the transition to the new portrait of King Charles III on U.K. and Commonwealth coins as they become available.