PRINCE GEORGE'S £50,000 GOLD COIN

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have given their approval to the first ever royal christening coins created in the UK.

The special coins, which have been produced by the Royal Mint in Llantrisant, South Wales, go on sale today to mark the christening of the couple's son, Prince George.

The design features the Lily Font from the Tower of London and two harp-playing cherubs.

At the foot of the coin is the royal motto "Dieu et mon droit" - God and my right.

The £5 coin is available in silver - because the crossing of a baby's palm with silver is said to confer good health and prosperity to newborns - and gold - to commemorate the royal celebration.

William and Kate's son will be christened at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace on October 23.

Dr Kevin Clancy, director of the Royal Mint Museum, said: "I think the designer, John Bergdahl, has done an excellent job of giving us something that is timeless. It's symbolic and it's got dignity about it.

Mr Bergdahl said: "The design is baroque, a style that has been reborn many times and often featured in royal artwork and traditions.

"One element that I knew I wanted to incorporate was the Lily Font from the Tower of London, which is a strong tradition in christenings for the Royal Family.

"The motto is traditional and sums up the expectation carried by a young child, born to reign - regardless of gender - for the first time ever."

Mr Bergdahl said it normally takes up to two years to produce a new coin, but the christening edition had to be made in around seven months because of the unknown details about the royal baby, such as its gender or name.

"Hopefully it will be timeless and it will still look as good in 100 years' time as it does now," he added.

The limited edition gold "kilo coin" is being sold for £50,000 but a more affordable "Brilliant Uncirculated" coin costs £13.

To read the complete article, see: Prince George's £50,000 coin: Piece containing 1kg of gold among first set minted to commemorate a royal christening (www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2449228/Prince-Georges-50-000-coin-Piece-containing-1kg-gold-set-minted-commemorate-royal-christening.html)

Charles II not only had made a whole set of regalia in 1661, he had a whole gold altar set made for Westminster Abbey, plus an enormous solid gold dinnerware set for the coronation banquet. The altar set included a gold chalice (cup) and paten (plate) for the Holy Communion, plus a baptismal font that was used for the christening of every royal baby for 180 years. In 1840 Queen Victoria commissioned the silver-gilt Lily Font for her first child, Princess Victoria (later the Empress of Germany), which has been used ever since.

To read the complete article, see: The British Crown Jewels (jeremyturcotte.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/the-british-crown-jewels/)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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