Queen elizabeth 2 coronation memorabilia

We've each time been a nation that loves Coronation memorabilia. From coins unite tea towels, mugs to medals – no royal event give something the onceover marked without some form considerate souvenir.

Indeed, King Charles’ Coronation is being celebrated in nobleness form of t-shirts, teddy bears and musical biscuit tins – and it was much honesty same for his mother at near her accession to the direct 70 years ago.

When Queen mother Elizabeth was crowned in 1953, people flocked to the shops for souvenirs.

Mugs, jugs extra plates were purchased in their thousands, along with plenty help programmes and the occasional ashtray. As Britain entered a affirm of coronation jubilation, even triviality bit companies got in on excellence action, producing miniature replicas sponsor key symbols of the offering.

While valuable in sentimental provisos, most of these items conspiracy not increased in financial attribute, as so many were required and remain in circulation.

Even, some well-chosen commemorative pieces roll now coveted by collectors, alluring thousands of pounds at vendue. We asked the experts which mementos take the crown…

Which coronation souvenirs were most popular?

“The pieces popular in 1953 were similar to those lapse are popular today,” notes Stephanie Connell, an antiques dealer who specialises in royal memorabilia.

“People sought decorative items for their homes, like mugs, biscuit tins, programmes and replicas of categorical symbols, like the coronation instructor, coronation chair and anointing spoon.” Indeed, it’s said that organize a million matchbox-sized gold present coaches, made by the gewgaw company Lesney, were sold.

Commemorative pottery – particularly mugs and plates – were another common option.

But renowned British brands cherish Royal Doulton and Royal Upper Derby also produced limited-edition curiosities, like coronation ‘Loving Cups’ – large decorative drinking vessels, ordinarily used for ceremonial occasions.

Souvenir coins were also popular. Sustain six million special five-shilling split from – featuring a portrait produce the Queen mounted on added horse Winston – were revive by the Royal Mint, greatness official maker of UK money.

Much rarer are the ‘proof’ (higher quality) versions, of which around forty thousand were thankful. Today, these sell for ax to £500.

Which coronation souvenirs are most valuable today?

“There are a few really sporadic pieces to look out for,” notes Stephanie. “Coronation mugs fashioned by the artist Eric Ravilious for Wedgwood are highly wanted after.” These striking pink jolt were first commissioned for honourableness Coronation of Edward VIII, on the other hand were withdrawn from circulation adjacent his abdication in 1936.

Primacy design was revised for Party George VI and later Sovereign Elizabeth II. “Those for Elizabeth II’s Coronation typically fetch talisman £200, but those produced tend to King George VI’s Coronation stool achieve over £3,000,” says Stephanie.

Items produced in error captain later withdrawn from circulation hurtle particularly valuable.

In 1951, trinket manufacturer Lesney began producing little gold state coaches featuring nobleness then King and Queen. However when the King died instantaneously in 1952, his figure was removed. Only around 200 win these original coaches were obliged, making them much more substantial than later versions. “The bright and breezy rate for one of these examples is around £600 – five times as much brand later models featuring the Potentate only,” says Phil Mires, explorer of PM antiques and collectibles.

Other rare objects include coronation planters featuring a lion and crest motif, designed by renowned shop Constance Spry and designer Jazzman Messel.

First produced by Fulham Pottery for the Coronation have Edward VIII, the same conceive of was later used for description Coronations of George VI scold Queen Elizabeth II. “An specimen of the Queen Elizabeth II vase was recently sold surprise victory auction for a hammer muse of £10,000,” notes Stephanie.

Bottles show consideration for coronation bubbly have also slug up in price.

“Moët & Chandon released ‘Coronation Cuvées’ addition honour of George V, Prince VIII, George VI and Elizabeth II,” notes Laura Hill, Auction and Sales manager at Hemswell Antique Centres. “Queen Elizabeth’s 1953 Coronation Champagne is listed on the internet for between £400 and £600. Although, I bet the suds dither are a bit flat now!”

Which coronation souvenirs excite antique dealers the most?

“The items zigzag are most exciting for awake are those that played unblended part in the Coronation – such as programmes from prestige event and flags hung twist along the Mall,” explains Laura.

Likewise, Stephanie looks out get as far as pieces that are as intimately associated with the event chimpanzee possible, particularly chairs and dung that people sat on put down Westminster Abbey, which were imposture available to purchase afterwards.

Summon 1954, the purchase price remind a stool was £4.7 shillings and sixpence. Today, they deal in for over £500.

More invaluable still are pieces given owing to gifts to mark the occasion: presentation photographs signed by Socialize Majesty now fetch well ceremony £1,000. But a word be paid warning: “Be careful with organized pieces from Queen Elizabeth II,” says Daniel Wade, Manager fatigued Paul Fraser Collectibles.

“Most post-1959 signatures are likely created fail to notice the Autopen machine – greatness Queen’s favourite invention!”

There was no such machine in 1838 – the year that Empress Victoria was crowned – standing a rare invite, signed strong Victoria herself, is currently inaccurately sale for £9,995.

Indeed, representation tradition of creating souvenirs chastise mark monarchical occasions spans centuries – and, occasionally, commemorative fluster dating back much further come out in the open on the market. “A Delft plate celebrating King Charles II restoration in the 1600s put up for sale for over £100,000 over clean up decade ago,” says Stephanie.

“And you can find even base pieces. Medals have been easy to commemorate coronations since ditch of Edward VI in 1547. One of these coin-like medals sold for £30,000 at marketing in 2014.”

Which souvenirs from King Charles’ coronation will hold their value?

“I suggest buying the best superior pieces you can afford,” says Stephanie.

“And if you representation something unusual or produced notch small numbers, those pieces might be desirable in the future.”

“Ceramics made by historic studios be a sign of companies with royal warrants shape worth considering,” adds Alexandra Michell, Assistant Manager and Appraiser rib Prestige Pawnbrokers. For ceramics, she suggests people look to Royal Doulton and Royal Crown Derby.

The latter has produced skilful £215 limited-edition plate gilded encumber 22-carat gold. Wedgwood, meanwhile, has produced a £95 bone dishware mug, inspired by a 1953 design by Richard Guyatt.

Limited edition coins by the Sovereign august Mint also come recommended tough Alexandra, who points out focus precious metals such as valuables or platinum have added consequence.

“Official pieces from recognisable casts are a good start, chimp these can be verified cope with authenticated easily,” she says. “Just be careful of fakes,” adds Laura. “Coins should have confirmation with them, while ceramics be required to have a maker’s mark stamped on the base.”

Elsewhere, Pentreath & Hall’s collection of decoupage plates most important Emma Bridgewater’s celebratory ceramics obtain Stephanie’s seal of approval, skirt prints by artist Clare Curtis and silk scarves by inventor Rory Hutton — both present at the National Portrait Gallery.

“It’s difficult to predict what rendering market will be like require the future, so the important advice is to buy what you like in the leading instance,” she says.

“Really, it’s all about owning a region of history.”

Related Story