The Royal Mint Reveals 2011 Commemorative Coin Themes

LONDON, January 27, 2011 - The Royal Mint has announced six new commemorative coins for 2011 along
with details of the first Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated coin sets. The
coming year will see the six commemorative coins added to the eight
circulating coins that feature Matthew Dent's shield design.

2011 is a year of several unique and memorable anniversaries and promises
to be an exciting one for coin collectors. Significantly, this year the
commemorative coins (www.royalmint.com/) include two GBP2 coin designs
as well as two GBP1 coins, a 50p coin and a GBP5 crown.

These new commemorative coins celebrate key events in British history and
royal life: the first voyage of the Mary Rose, the 400th anniversary of the
King James' Bible translation into English, the 50th anniversary of the WWF
and Prince Philip's 90th birthday (
www.royalmint.com/store/BritishBase/UKPPBU.aspx). The two new GBP1
coins are the last in the GBP1 Cities series and celebrate the capital cities
of Cardiff and Edinburgh.

Each of the new commemorative coins can be purchased individually from
the Royal Mint. The six coins are also available as part of coin sets
presented in a range of formats, each of which include information about the
events the coins feature. There will be three sets with all coins struck to
Proof quality and two sets struck to Brilliant Uncirculated quality*.

Commenting on the themes for next year Dave Knight, Director of
Commemorative Coin at the Royal Mint, said: "The Royal Mint is very proud to
commemorate these important anniversaries in 2011. I'm especially pleased to
reveal the GBP5 crown celebrating HRH Prince Philip's 90th birthday
celebration, who is a patron of the Royal Mint."

The new themes for 2011 are steeped in history as is tradition with the
Royal Mint's commemorative coins released each year.

Notes to Editors:

* The HRH Prince Philip GBP5 coin is not included in the Brilliant
Uncirculated coin sets.

About the Royal Mint:

The Royal Mint has a history dating back over 1,000 years. By the late
thirteenth century the organisation was based in the Tower of London, and
remained there for over 500 years. By 1812, the Royal Mint had moved out of
the Tower to premises on London's Tower Hill. In 1967 the building of a new
Royal Mint began on its current site in Llantrisant, South Wales.

There were estimated to be 28.2 billion UK coins in circulation at 31
March 2009, with a total face value of GBP3.6 billion - all manufactured by
the Royal Mint.

1.3 billion UK coins were issued during 2008-09.

    PR contact:
    Porter Novelli
    31 St Petersburgh Place
    London
    W2 4LA
    +44(0)20-7853-2390
    www.royalmint.com

PR contact: Porter Novelli, 31 St Petersburgh Place, London, W2 4LA, +44(0)20-7853-2390