Because it’s been 60 years since she ascended to the throne in the United Kingdom, there have been a number of commemorative coins and stamps issued with the image of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. But long before that, QEII’s image has been showing up around the world.
I came across The Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, as they appear on World Banknotes, which is an interesting evolution of the Queen, now in her ninth decade.
Her portrait was first featured on coins in 1953 issued in Great Britain, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Jamaica, Malaya & British Borneo, Mauritius, New Zealand, South Africa and Southern Rhodesia. Whether or not she is wearing her crown depended on the monarchy’s relationship with the country.
Someone asked: How many countries coins has Queen Elizabeth II been on? The best answer seems to be from Sap, posted 1/27/2010, from which I will note here (since the permalink doesn’t work):
* circulation coins used to have Queen’s portrait but no longer do so today
# only commemoratives have featured the Queen’s portrait
Australia, Bahamas*, Belize, Canada, Cyprus*, Dominica#, Gambia*, Great Britain, Grenada#, Jamaica*, Kiribati#, Mauritius*, New Zealand, Nigeria*, Papua New Guinea#, Saint Kitts & Nevis#, Saint Lucia#, Saint Vincent & Grenadines#, Seychelles*, Tuvalu, Uganda*, Zambia*, plus Fiji (“a Republic and expelled from the Commonwealth but still has the Queen on all its coinage”). This doesn’t even count the various former colonies in Africa, the Caribbean (including current Guyana), Hong Kong, and what is now Malaysia and Singapore, all of which had had QEII on the money in the day.
Check out a timeline of the Queen’s appearance on Australian coins.
As for postage, you find useful Queen Elizabeth II: A Portrait in Stamps (Paperback) By Fay Sweet. The description of the book: “Since her accession to the throne in 1952, the Queen’s image on UK stamps has become one of the most familiar and reproduced icons of all time. This book illustrates the reign of Her Majesty as celebrated on Britain’s stamps.” Here’s a List of British postage stamps. This commercial vendor has a detailed QEII section.
In Canada, there is have been annual definitive stamps bearing the Queen’s likeness. I couldn’t find as definite a piece about QEII on stamps as I did for coins, but I expect a large overlap.
All of this is very, well, foreign, to me, since no living person can appear on US postage or money. There will postage stamps commemorating former Presidents a year after they die. The FDR dime and the JFK half-dollar were both issued in the year following their respective deaths (1946, 1964, respectively).
I know that the Queen’s image is on the Australian money is Australia still part of the British Empire? Thanks Roger for this interesting post!
From the Wikipedia: Until 1949, the United Kingdom and Australia shared a common nationality code. The final constitutional ties between United Kingdom and Australia ended in 1986 with the passing of the Australia Act 1986.
So, no, AUSTRALIA is not part of the Empire. BUT-
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Realms
The Commonwealth is a very big deal, though Commonwealth Realms are not: There are only 16 Commonwealth Realms with a total population of 135 million, as opposed to The Commonwealth itself, which is made up of 54 nations with 1.2 billion people.
One important thing to remember about Queen Elizabeth is that while she’s Queen of the United Kingdom, that’s not her title overseas: She’s Queen of New Zealand and Queen of Australia and Queen of Canada, etc. As Head of State for those 16 countries, she is THEIR Head of State regardless of any other countries of which she may be sovereign.
The first time I saw her on currency was when we made a family trip to Canada in 1970. I was fascinated, but more by the English and French on the money. I also (barely) remember the switch in half dollar portraits, and seem to remember that my parents weren’t enthusiastic about it. Ah, memories…
Ah, if only the Commonwealth could get its act together, it could do real good in the world – a perfect counter-balance to other power structures. I can only dream.
Very interesting post and I like seeing the shots of her when she was a young Queen and first landed on money. Carver ABC-Wed. Team
She certainly looks lovely on the Jubilee coin. What a great history lesson.
Ann
I always thought my mother looked a bit like Queen Elizabeth, and she acted a bit like a princess, too. lol Actually, who knows with all that inbreeding, she/we could have some of those genes…seeing as how we are descendants of a Scottish Lord. Good choice for Q week, Roger! Have a great week and see you on F/B…
Leslie
abcw team
I didn’t realize that she was called the Queen of New Zealand, and Queen of Australia and Queen of Canada. I guess I just thought of her as The Queen.
Great post as usual.
notice they have not changed money to make her looks as she looks today
don quixote limerick
I can’t ever imagine the Queen picking that color of dress for herself. I’m sure she cringed when she saw the image. QE has quite the legacy to her name, no doubt!
Very clever to think of the Queen. I’d never realized the difference between wearing and not wearing the crown for the different country’s relationship to the monarchy.
A good choice for Q – Elizabeth has been an excellent monarch, – loved and respected through all the trials and tribulations of being a Queen and a Mother!!!
there’s a town here named after the Queen of England, who made a visit here years ago, it’s called Queenstown. There’s even the Elizabeth Walk by the waterfront, but that has gone through changes when the seafront was reclaimed.
Yes … the Queen really hangs out in all the right circles. Her image in coins is a very common sight here in Canada. Now that parliament is seriously considering eliminating pennies, we might see a lot less of her charming face in the future. 🙂
It is very interesting to see the changing portraits of the Queen.
One thing (in relation to what Arthur points out) that is particularly irksome is constantly hearing her referred to as “Queen of England” .
What kind of relationship could that be if the Queen wore a crown or didn’t on her appearances…. just wondering.
Sweet “Q” post! I also think it was a cool tidbit about her appearing wearing or not wearing a crown…thanks! Have a great week.
Hazel- if she’s wearing the crown, she’s queen (of Canada, New Zealand, et al). If not,, she’s not.
With crown or not, she’s still a queen!
interesting take!
My friend,
We can always count on you to educate and humor us. Great information here sir.
There’s something funny about her sharing a stamp with a dodo bird! She has an amazing legacy. I enjoyed your post!
At least they bring a little romance in our world ! She really is amazing !
I collected stamps as a kid and recall many of them with her face on it. A very interesting post.
I didn’t realize no living person could be portrayed on a US stamp, though it makes sense. I have mixed feelings about the royal family. I’m afraid Britain would fall prey to extreme socialism if they weren’t there. Yet the lack of insight into the life style of those who were not rich and famous frustrated me no end. How could they be so isolated as to not understand what their people went through during and after the war? But the pageantry and history is fascinating.
Interesting details.
For certain an interesting progression! I’m with ChrisJ, I find the royals fascinating, but wonder if they are really necessary.