…with a new anniversary coin.

(PAGE 2): In February 2012, it was exactly 60 years since Elizabeth became Queen of Great Britain, and the British Mint marked her with a special commemorative coin.

But anyone who needs a coin to determine “heads or tails” to decide who will pick a side or who will start first in various sports should stay away from this coin, the Daily Telegraph warns.

Double portrait
The £5 coin cannot be used for heads or tails for one simple reason: it has heads on both sides.

As usual on British coins, the obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth, and has now been updated to resemble the 85-year-old Queen’s current appearance.

However, in commemoration of this 60th anniversary, there is also a relief of Queen Elizabeth on the back of the coin, identical to the one used on the first coin made with her portrait after she became queen of the country on February 6, 1952.

Draw the line to Victoria
The double portrait is a tribute to the queen, who has ruled Great Britain for almost sixty years. On the coin it is also written in Latin: “Dirige Deus Gressus Meos” – (may) God guide my steps.

This is the same inscription that appeared on some of the first coins with a portrait of the young Queen Victoria, who happened to be the previous British monarch celebrating her 60th anniversary on the throne.

This case was first published on 10/12 2011.