Literary Giant vs. Wealthy Elite | Come and see, the UK releases Shakespearean coins

Author: Jiangnan Xiaosheng. In the year of Ding Yao, born into a humble family; nurtured by the teachings at home, my heart knows no bounds; mastering the way and broadening my skills, I strive for excellence; in Hong Kong and Singapore, I pursue my studies; engaged in politics and economics as my profession, I observe both above and below; hand in hand with peers, we seek endlessly.

The Royal Mint has released a series of new coins for 2016 including a £2 with a representation of Hamlet's court jester Yorick's skull to mark the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. The coins that have been revealed today (1 January) will feature three designs to represent the Bard's work.

The skull placed next to a thorny rose represents Shakespeare's tragedies while the history plays are represented by a £2 coin with a crown design, and his comedy works are reflected by a motif of a jester's hat.

For over a thousand years, the Royal Mint has not only issued the coins found in people's pockets but also minted one "British hero" and "British story" after another.

The 2016 annual coin set includes eight legal tender pound coins and eight commemorative coins to commemorate important events of the year and significant moments in history, including the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death, the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London in 1666, and the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.

To celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday, a commemorative coin will also be issued, specifically the 2016 Sovereign. The reverse continues to feature the well-known design of St. George and the Dragon; however, you may notice that the obverse of this flagship proof coin features a specially designed portrait of the Queen to mark her 90th birthday, and it will only be used on the coins issued for this year. This is the second time since Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne that a commemorative portrait has appeared on a Sovereign proof coin, the last being in 1989.

Below, you'll find that the obverse of the Shakespeare commemorative coin series also features the latest portrait of the Queen!

2016 Shakespeare Commemorative Coin: Comedies

2016 Shakespeare Commemorative Coin: Histories

2016 Shakespeare Commemorative Coin: Tragedies

2016 Shakespeare Commemorative Coin Release

by The Royal Mint

Take a look at the website of the Royal Mint in the UK to improve your English reading skills: 

The 2016 UK coin designs revealed

November 5, 2015 by Dan Oliver

It’s been an exciting week for UK coin collectors and if you’ve not been following the announcements on Facebook or Twitter then this article should bring you up to speed! Those of you who have been collecting coins fora few years or more will know that November is normally an exciting time at The Royal Mint, as the coins of the following year are released. So, you’ll be excited to learn that on Monday the new coins for 2016 were announced! In total, eight 2016 UK coins have been revealed alongside The Sovereign for 2016.

The 400th Anniversary of the Death of Shakespeare 2016 UK £2 Coins

William Shakespeare remains a household name 400 years after his death, and his writing is still central to our everyday languageand school curriculum today. Shakespeare’s works make many references to coins, so it is apt that for 2016, three £2 coins reflect three aspects of his work: Tragedies, Histories and Comedies.

William Shakespeare

Brief Introduction

William Shakespeare, 26 April 1564 (baptised) – 23 April 1616, was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet, and the "Bard of Avon". His extant works, including collaborations, consist of approximately 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Many works have also been adapted into television series and films.

Shakespeare was a prolific playwright, creating approximately two plays per year from 1594 to 1611. His early works were primarily historical dramas and comedies, including "Henry V," "As You Like It," and "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Later, he went on to write some of his greatest tragic works, including "Romeo and Juliet," "Macbeth," and "Hamlet."

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