In 1999 to celebrate the Total Solar Eclipse of the Sun, the Royal Mint released a very Limited Issue £5 Five Pound Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver and partly plated in 24 Carat Gold.
A total solar eclipse, visible from much of Europe and Asia, swept across the globe on Wednesday, 11 August 1999. An awe inspiring celestial phenomenon, a total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and Sun and the distances between the three allow its shadow to fall on the Earth. As it races across the heavens, the Moon moves over the face of the Sun so that the Sun is gradually obscured and the Moon's shadow, or umbra, plunges part of the Earth into a spectacular daytime darkness.
A superb £5 Five Pound Coin from Alderney captures this rare event with a commemorative reverse design by Christine Ellingham. It depicts the path of the Moon as it passes across the face of the Sun while, at the same time, indicating the shadow it will cast over Southern England and Alderney. The obverse design features the stunning portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Raphael Maklouf. These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.
Limited Mintage of 10,000 Worldwide
Finished to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
