IMPERIAL STATE CROWN British Royal Jewels - 2 Oz Silver Coin - 5$ Niue 2026
 
The Imperial State Crown, the centerpiece of the British Monarchy's Royal Crown Jewels, is replicated here in 2 troy ounces of pure silver, with multiple technologies all contributing to this exceptional treasure. Better yet, it stands up on its own for display, with a total mintage of just 350 pieces!

Welcome to the British Monarchy's Royal Crown Jewels Program, which continues with the famous Imperial State Crown, the centerpiece of the crown jewels. We could write a bunch of words here, but they're not necessary—one look at this numismatic treasure is worth a thousand. Which is not to say that a thousand collectors will ever hold this gem in their hands, or even half that number, no sir! With a total mintage of just 350, and having sold out at the mint on pre-release, our advice is simple: see it, buy it, possess it, treasure it.

An Outstanding Treasure Employing A Veritable Wealth of Technologies!

The outstanding aesthetics of this truly rare and beautiful museum piece are achieved by a nexus of complimentary technologies:
  - Digital color faithfully reproduces the subtle nuances of the solid gold crown, its purple velvet, and its many jewels.
  - The coloration is simply exquisite!
  - Ultra high relief minting results in a truly three dimensional masterpiece.
  - Calling it "ultra high relief" truly understates the height of the relief—the crown really pops off the field!
  - The antiqued finish establishes the historicity of this incredible relic.
  - Two troy ounces of pure, solid silver contribute further to its intrinsic and numismatic value.
  - Its most unusual shape perfectly frames the crown itself.
  - Perhaps most impressively, the coin is engineered to stand up for display.
All combine to make this a most impressive, must-have numismatic treasure!

The Imperial State Crown
Of all the Crown Jewels, the most valuable is the Imperial State Crown, featured on this magnificent coin. The Crown is generally worn at the end of a coronation when the new monarch departs from Westminster Abbey and is not traditionally the actual crown used at the moment of coronation. However it was actually worn during the ceremony by Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, both of whom complained about the weight of the normally-used crown, St. Edward's Crown.

The Imperial State Crown is of a design similar to St. Edward's Crown; it includes a base of four crosses pattee alternating with four fleurs-de-lis, above which are four half-arches surmounted by a cross. Inside is a deep purple velvet cap with an ermine border. The Crown includes an incredible number of precious gems, including 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 5 rubies!

Among these are several world-famous jewels. The cross atop the Crown is set with a stone known as St. Edward's Sapphire, a sapphire taken from the ring (or possibly coronet) of Edward the Confessor. The Black Prince's Ruby is set on the front cross pattee. Furthermore, the famous Cullinan II Diamond, or Lesser Star of Africa, is set on the front of the Crown.

The Black Prince's Ruby
The Black Prince's Ruby is actually a bead-shaped spinel weighing roughly 170 carats (34 g), that is, the size of a chicken egg! It is one of the oldest of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, with a known history dating back to the middle of the 14th century and having been in the possession of the British kings since it was given in 1367 to its namesake, Edward of Woodstock (the "Black Prince").

What is a spinel? Until fairly modern times, all red gemstones were referred to as "rubies". It was only relatively recently that the rarer spinel has been differentiated from the more common ruby. The two gemstones can be distinguished on the basis of hardness and density - a ruby is slightly harder and denser than a spinel. The two stones can also be told apart by their optical properties: a true ruby is dichroic while a spinel is singly refractive.

The Cullinan Diamonds (Stars of Africa)
The original, intact Cullinan Diamond was found by Frederick Wells, surface manager of the Premier Diamond Mining Company in Cullinan, Gauteng, South Africa on June 25 1905. It is the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever found, at 3,106.75 carats (621.35 g). The stone was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, the owner of the diamond mine.

The stone was bought by the Transvaal government and presented to King Edward VII of Great Britain. However, transport from South Africa to England posed a bit of a problem with regard to security. Well-known detectives from London were placed on a steamer ship that was rumored to carry the stone, but this was a diversionary tactic. The stone on that ship was a fake, meant to attract those who would be interested in stealing it. The actual diamond was in fact sent to England in a plain box via parcel post!

The Cullinan was cut into three large parts by Asscher Brothers of Amsterdam, and eventually into some 11 large gem-quality stones and a number of smaller fragments. The largest polished gem from the stone is named Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa, and at 530.20 carats (106.04 g) was the largest polished diamond in the world until the 1985 discovery of the Golden Jubilee diamond (545.67 cts), also from the Premier mine. Cullinan I is now mounted in the head of the Scepter with the Cross. The second largest gem from the Cullinan stone, Cullinan II or the Lesser Star of Africa, at 317.40 carats (63.48 g), is the third largest polished diamond in the world and is also part of the British crown jewels, as it forms a part of the Imperial State Crown. Both gems are on display at the Tower of London, as parts of the British crown jewels.

Obverse
The Imperial State Crown, the centrepiece of the British Crown Jewels, front and center in all its glory. The legends ROYAL CROWN JEWELS and IMPERIAL STATE CROWN define the theme.

Reverse
His Majesty, King Charles III, in profile effigy facing left. This portrait was executed by the engraver Jody Clark. The legend CHARLES III, the date of issue and denomination also appear, while the legend 2 OZ 999 SILVER guarantees the weight and purity.

Packaging
The coin rests inside a luxurious clamshell-style presentation case, with full color St Edwards Cross graphic on the puffy lid, and lined with black velvet,. A full color, individually numbered certificate of authenticity is included.