Royal Birth 2013 US Silver Coins and Lucky Silver Penny

Last week, Prince William and Kate Middleton became proud parents with the birth of their baby boy, George Alexander Louis.

In celebration and to commemorate the event, the UK Royal Mint has introduced several silver coins, including:

• The Royal Birth 2013 UK £5 Silver Proof Coin at £66.67
• The Royal Birth 2013 UK Silver £1 Coin at £50.00
• 2013 Lucky Silver Penny in Pink Pouch for Girls at £23.33
• 2013 Lucky Silver Penny in Blue Pouch for Boys at £23.33

One on them, the Royal Birth 2013 UK £5 Silver Proof Coin, has a mintage of 10,000 but all have been claimed. For those still interested, the Royal Mint is asking for names and contact information in case of stock availability. Presumably, some inventory will open due to cancellations and payment failures and those silver coins would become available to those on a waiting list.

What is most unique about this proof coin is its Sovereign design. Investors and collectors see it commonly on gold coins, but it has not been struck on any silver coins in nearly 200 years. The Sovereign design is Benedetto Pistrucci’s famous depiction of St. George Slaying the Dragon.

"It has become the definitive Sovereign design but in 2013, for the first time since the coronation of Edward VII, it has been struck in silver — a majestic tribute to the future monarch," the Royal Mint website describes.

All these latest silver coins, as traditional, feature Ian Rank-Broadley’s portrait of the Queen. On the 2013 UK £5 Silver Proof Coin, obverse inscriptions read ‘ELIZABETH II’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘REG’, ‘F’ ‘D’ and ‘FIVE POUNDS’.

This coin weighs 28.28 grams, has a diameter of 38.61 mm and is composed from .925 silver.

The Royal Mint is promoting the Royal Birth 2013 UK Silver £1 Coin as a "perfect way to greet a new arrival." It features Matthew Dent’s reverse pound design used since 2008 that depicts a version of Shield of the Royal Arms representing the United Kingdom. The simple inscription is ‘ONE’ and ‘POUND’.

This uncirculated silver coin weighs 9.5 grams, has a diameter of 22.51 mm and is composed from .925 silver. It is also limited to 10,000 coins.

Then there is the brilliant uncirculated 2013 Lucky Silver Penny. One of which the Royal Mint is giving away to anyone born in the UK on July 22, 2013, the same day as Prince George Alexander Louis.

They may also be purchased by the public. Two options are available. The coin comes housed in a blue or pink drawstring pouch that is held in an illustrated gift card. The blue themed card and pouch is for newborn boys and the pink themed card and pouch is for newborn girls. Designed as the "perfect birth or christening gift," there is an area on the card to write a personal message.

These silver coins have another reverse design of the Shield of the Royal Arms by designer Matthew Dent. The inscription reads ‘ONE PENNY.’

A 2013 Lucky Silver Penny weighs 3.564 grams, has a diameter of 20.32 mm and is composed from .925 silver.

For more information about any of the above silver coins as well as other related newborn products, visit the Royal Mint’s Christening and Baby Gifts page.