00:00Have you ever wondered how a small coin in your pocket could carry over a thousand years of royal
00:04history? What if I told you that this tiny copper coin connects directly to the legacy of the
00:09British monarchy and the parliament of the United Kingdom? Today we are going to explore a fascinating
00:15coin, the famous British one penny from 1990. This coin may look simple, but every detail on
00:21it tells a story of power, tradition, and national identity. Welcome to the channel.
00:26If you love discovering the hidden history behind coins from around the world,
00:30make sure to subscribe and join our journey through the incredible world of numismatics.
00:35Now, let's take a closer look at the front side of this remarkable coin.
00:40The front side of this coin features the portrait of one of the most iconic monarchs in modern history,
00:45Queen Elizabeth II. This portrait shows the queen wearing the royal crown, facing to the right.
00:51The design reflects elegance, authority, and the long-standing traditions of the British monarchy.
00:56The inscription around the portrait reads, Elizabeth II D.G. Reg. F.D. These Latin words
01:03carry deep historical meaning. Elizabeth II refers to Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled the United Kingdom
01:10for more than 70 years. Her reign became one of the longest in world history and symbolized stability
01:16during times of massive global change. The letters D.G. stand for Dei Gratia, which means,
01:22by the grace of God. This phrase reflects the traditional belief that a monarch rules with
01:27divine approval. Next comes, R.E.G., which is short for, Regina, meaning, Queen. Finally,
01:35the letters, F.D. stand for, Fede Defensor, meaning, Defender of the Faith. This title has been used by
01:42British monarchs for centuries and highlights their role as symbolic protectors of the Christian faith in
01:46the country. The portrait style used on this coin was designed by the famous sculptor Raphael Makhlouf.
01:53His design of Queen Elizabeth II appeared on British coins from 1985 until 1997.
02:00Makhlouf's portrait is known for its elegant and classical appearance. It shows the Queen wearing
02:05the George IV State Diadem, one of the most famous crowns in the British royal collection.
02:09This crown is traditionally worn by British monarchs during the state opening of Parliament.
02:14The detailed design on the coin reflects the craftsmanship of the Royal Mint,
02:19the official institution responsible for producing British coins for over 1,100 years.
02:24The copper-colored appearance of the coin comes from its material.
02:28Coins like this were made primarily from bronze during that time period.
02:32Bronze is strong, durable, and resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for everyday currency.
02:38The year 1990 appears just below the portrait. This date marks the year the coin was officially
02:44minted and released into circulation across the United Kingdom. During this time, millions of
02:49these coins were produced and used daily by people buying groceries, newspapers, or bus tickets.
02:55Even though it had a small value of just one penny, it played an important role in everyday
03:00transactions across the country. Today, collectors appreciate these coins not only for their monetary
03:06value but also for their historical significance. For many coin collectors around the world, holding a coin
03:12like this is like holding a small piece of British history. Now that we've explored the portrait side
03:17of the coin, let's turn it over and examine the design on the back. On the reverse side of this
03:22coin we see a
03:23powerful symbol associated with the British government and democracy. At the center of the design is a
03:29portcullis, a medieval gate made of iron bars and chains. This symbol represents the Parliament of the
03:35United Kingdom. The portcullis has been used for centuries as an emblem of the British Parliament.
03:41Historically, the portcullis was a defensive gate used in castles to protect against invaders.
03:46Over time, it became a symbol of strength, protection, and authority. On this coin, the portcullis is shown
03:53with chains on both sides and the crown above it. The crown symbolizes the constitutional monarchy of
03:59the United Kingdom, where the monarch and parliament together represent the governing system of the country.
04:03Around the design, the words, one penny, clearly indicate the coin's value. Below the design is the
04:10number, one, reinforcing the denomination. This reverse design was created by the British artist
04:16Christopher Ironside, whose work appeared on many decimal coins introduced in the United Kingdom.
04:22The design became widely recognized and remained on British pennies for decades. Even today, this simple
04:28yet powerful symbol continues to represent the long-standing traditions of British democracy.
04:33Although the value of one penny may seem small, coins like this serve as everyday reminders of history,
04:39culture, and national identity. For collectors, this coin is not just currency, it is a miniature historical
04:45artifact.
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