In celebration of the 70th wedding anniversary of The Queen and Prince Philip on Monday (November 20) a series of sovereign coins are being minted at Tower Mint in London.

A range of five different coins are being created to mark the platinum wedding anniversary, the longest royal marriage in British history.

The commemorative coins have been commissioned by the London Mint Office and feature a portrait of The Queen created by sculptor Raphael Maklouf, whose effigy of Her Majesty appears on all British coins from 1985 to 1998.

Journalist and former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond was on hand to strike the first coin at 11.30am on Monday, the exact minute the couple got married.

She said: "A royal platinum wedding anniversary is a once in a lifetime event."

Adding: "As the Queen and Duke are celebrating in private today, it has been fun to mark their big day by striking these sovereigns in their honour."

The coins are being sold off to collectors

A series of five coins are being created which include a quarter sovereign, half sovereign, full sovereign, double sovereign and quintuple sovereign.

The reverse of the coins feature a mixture of deigns from Gregory Cameron, ranging from The Queen's coat of arms and those of Prince Philip, to the Victoria and Albert Wedding Medal of 1840 by Benjamin Wyon, which depicts a rendition of the coats of arms of both The Queen and Prince Philip sitting either side of the wedding torch.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary at Windsor Castle

Rhys Williams, product manager at the London Mint Office, said: "The Queen of course is our head of state, she's our monarch, our longest reigning monarch, of course Prince Philip as well is the longest reigning consort.

Journalist Jennie Bond was on hand to strike the first coin

"I think they're role models for everyone, the longevity of their marriage is an example to everyone so it's very important to celebrate this massive occasion, this once in a lifetime occasion."

A series of five coins are being minted

The coins will not be landing in our purses for everyday use though as they are being sold off to collectors.

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