Arnold Machin, Coin Designer

Started by Galapagos, August 01, 2009, 06:20:26 PM

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Galapagos



Arnold Machin.


Arnold Machin was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, in 1911. He died in 1999.

He initially trained as a sculptor, and later worked in pottery, designing works for Wedgwood.

In 1940 he won a medal from the Royal College of Art (see image).

NOTE: Machin is pronounced "Maitchin" - the first syllable rhymes with the English pronunciation of the letter "H".

<k>

#1


Machin's effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.


In 1963 he designed the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II that later appeared on all the UK's decimal coins from 1968 to 1984.

It also appeared the coins of various Commonwealth countries.

Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) was the first country to adopt the portrait in 1964.
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

#2


Machin's stamp effigy.



Mr. Machin produced a similar effigy to be used on the UK's definitive stamps, where it remains to this day.

Interestingly, this effigy faces left, while the coin effigy faces right.
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

#3


The Guernsey 10 shillings coin of 1966.


Arnold Machin designed the Guernsey square ten shillings of 1966. The coin commemorated the nine-hundredth anniversary of William the Conqueror becoming king of England. At first Mr. Machin thought of portraying William the Conqueror in Norman style, with beard and longer hair, but eventually he settled on the Saxon style.

See: Guernsey square 10 shillings, plus alternative design.
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

#4


Some designs from the first decimal coinage of the Bahamas.


Arnold Machin designed the reverses of the Bahamas first circulating decimal coins, below, first issued in 1966. His portrait of the Queen appeared on the obverse of the coins, so he designed both sides of the coinage.


See also:

1] Bahamas 1966 set: prototype sketches.

2] Coinage of the Bahamas.

 
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

#5



These gold coins that were issued in 1967 to commemorate the Bahamas' new constitution.

The designs depict Christopher Columbus, the Santa Maria (one of his ships), a fort and a lighthouse.
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

#6




In 1966 Arnold Machin designed the reverse of a collector crown for Gibraltar, showing its coat of arms.

Gibraltar issued a crown bearing this design from 1967 to 1970.

Machin was famous for his effigy of the Queen.

It appeared this Gibraltar crown and on millions of other coins throughout the world.


See: Gibraltar crown 1967-70: Preliminary artwork.
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

#7


Machin's portrait of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.


Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah succeeded to the throne of Brunei in 1967.

Arnold Machin's portrait of the new monarch first appeared on the national coinage in 1968.
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

eurocoin

#8



In 1972, Arnold Machin designed the UK crown coin commemorating the 25th anniversary of the wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

The coin depicts their joint monogram surrounded by foliage with Eros, the Greek god of love, at the center.

eurocoin

#9


Arnold Machin was also commissioned directly by the government of Guernsey to design a 25 pence coin for the silver wedding anniversary. This coin depicts a copy of Eros as depicted in the statue located in Piccadilly Circus in London with a Guernsey lily below.

eurocoin

#10


In 1977, Mr. Machin won a closed competition held by the Royal Mint to design the Silver Jubilee crown of the UK. On the obverse the coin depicts Queen Elizabeth II on horseback wearing a Guards uniform as is being used during the Trooping the Colour ceremony. The reverse depicts a royal crown and the Ampulla and anointing spoon that are being used during the coronation ceremony surrounded by flowers.