The 1981 Charles and Diana Crown is a UK commemorative 25 new pence coin issued for the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. It is a non-circulating commemorative coin, not a modern £5 coin.
1981 Charles and Diana Crown specifications
The ordinary UK issue is cupro-nickel, with a weight of 28.28 grams, a diameter of 38.61 millimetres and a thickness of 3.2 millimetres. The obverse uses Arnold Machin’s portrait of Elizabeth II. Philip Nathan designed the reverse with conjoined portraits of Charles and Diana.
Specialist catalogues record a standard mintage of 26,773,600. That figure applies to the ordinary issue, not to every silver-proof, presentation or foreign crown-sized product carrying similar portraits.
Is the Charles and Diana Crown silver?
The standard 1981 UK coin is not silver. A separate .925 silver-proof issue exists, with its own weight, finish, packaging and catalogue entry. An ordinary coin should never be valued by comparing it with a silver proof.
Legal tender and face value
The coin has a face value of 25 pence under the post-decimal crown arrangements. Royal Mint guidance explains that legal-tender status does not mean that shops or banks must accept a commemorative crown.
How much is it worth?
Value depends on whether the coin is an ordinary issue, a silver proof, part of a Royal Mint set or another product. Condition, original packaging, surface quality and demand also matter.
Earlier versions of this article included an undated online price comparison. It should not be treated as a current value because it may have mixed asking prices, completed sales, grades and varieties. Compare several recent completed UK sales of the exact issue instead, and record the date, grade, lot contents and buyer’s premium.
How to identify your coin
Check the date, 25 New Pence denomination, portraits, weight, diameter and edge. Then establish whether it is cupro-nickel or a .925 silver proof and whether the original case or certificate is present. If the coin is unusually reflective, damaged or described as an error, seek specialist advice before relying on a price claim.