The Queen shows her age as portrait is updated on coins

Fifth update by Royal Mint to Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait on Britain’s coinage shows realistic portrayal of 88-year-old monarch

Time has finally caught up with Queen Elizabeth II – on her money at least. Her profile is visibly aged in a new coin portrait by Jody Clark. The royal image on Britain’s coinage will, when this design goes into circulation, be unmistakably that of an 88-year-old, including prominent wrinkles.

The dignity of the regal image can surely survive this numismatic realism. With her crown, big earring and half smile the Queen looks as quietly authoritative on her latest coins as she did on her first in 1953. The Royal Mint has changed her face just four times since then. Even these reluctant remodellings maintained an impression of timeless classical grace that made the ageing process almost unnoticeable – until now.

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