Prince George gets birthday coin

Britain’s Prince George’s first birthday will be marked with a £5 coin.

The royal mint unveiled the design for the sterling silver piece yesterday (06.16.14), which has been approved by the prince’s parents Prince William and Duchess Catherine, his great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth and Chancellor George Osborne and bears the heraldic royal arms – which incorporates the four quarterings of the royal arms each contained in a shield, as well as a rose, thistle, leek, a sprig of shamrock and a crown – and the year 2014.

Shane Bissett, director of commemorative coin and bullion at the Royal Mint, said: ”As Prince George of Cambridge reaches the significant milestone of turning one year old, we felt there could be no more fitting design to mark the first birthday of our future king than the royal arms – the arms of the monarch – minted in honor of the future heir to the throne.

”The choice of a silver coin is significant too as the precious metal is closely associated with newborn babies, as crossing the palm of a newborn baby with silver is a way to wish them wealth and good health throughout their life, whilst the £5 coin is a favorite for royal celebrations.”

George – who turns one on July 22nd – is the first royal to have a coin issued to mark his first birthday.

They will be produced in a limited mintage of 7,500 and will cost £80 each from www.royalmint.com.