2 Pounds - Elizabeth II Queen Mother's 90th Birthday

Historical Context: Issued by Alderney in 1990, this two-pound coin commemorates the 90th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. The era was marked by a burgeoning interest in royal commemoratives, celebrating the enduring popularity and historical significance of senior members of the British Royal Family. As a Crown Dependency, Alderney frequently participates in such numismatic tributes, aligning its coinage with significant events in the wider British sphere. The Queen Mother, born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, was a beloved figure, renowned for her resilience during World War II and her unwavering public service, embodying continuity and grace throughout the 20th century.

Artistry: The coin features the third definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on its obverse, sculpted by Raphael Maklouf. This effigy, depicting the Queen wearing the George IV State Diadem, is characterized by its idealized and dignified classicism, a hallmark of Maklouf's work. The reverse, designed by Robert Elderton, presents a sensitive and regal profile of the Queen Mother, facing left. Below her portrait, a delicate arrangement of the rose, thistle, shamrock, and daffodil symbolically represents the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom, embodying a traditional yet finely detailed commemorative realism appropriate for the celebratory occasion.

Technical/Grading: Struck in copper-nickel with a substantial diameter of 38.61 mm and weighing 28.28 grams, this coin typically exhibits a robust and even strike. For the Maklouf obverse, high-points for grading include the highest curls of hair above the ear and the raised elements of the diadem. On the reverse, the Queen Mother's hair, the bridge of her nose, and the delicate details of the floral emblems are key areas to assess for sharpness and strike quality. While generally well-produced, the large planchet size of these commemorative issues can sometimes show minor contact marks or bag marks, particularly on the fields, which would impact higher uncirculated grades.