Queen Elizabeth I 1558-1603

Half sister to Mary, and the daughter of Henry's second wife Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth ruled for 44 years. Now known as the Elizabethan Era, it was an age of discovery, exploration, and the arts. Names such as Drake, Raleigh, Marlow and Shakespeare still evokes memories of those achievements which became lasting sources of national pride.

Having a ready wit and abounding intellect, Elizabeth surrounded herself with highly capable men. She was also vigorous, forceful and a consummate diplomat.

Although she had many offers, she never married. She had a long and passionate friendship with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and later became extremely attached to Devereux, Earl of Essex (who was executed for his attempted coup d'état in 1601).

Elizabeth died in 1603 at the age of 70, dearly loved by her subjects.

The obverse of the coin features the famous Arnold Machin portrait of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, celebrating her Silver Jubilee in 1977.

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