Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne on 6 February 1952 and her 60 glorious years are being celebrated throughout the coming year with most events planned for June – the month of her coronation. The only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee was Queen Victoria – in 1897.

As part of the rejoicing HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will make special visits to all parts of the country – to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – during the year and it is this realm-wide theme that has inspired artist Nigel Creed’s design for the large rectangular box and coin. His rich painting combines the national floral emblems of the British Isles, namely the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.