2016-04-21 Thu

The 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta was celebrated by Ascension Island with a new coin release. Magna Carta was a solution to the political crisis in England which resulted due to the tyrannical behaviour of King John. The document was written on parchment and was authenticated with the Great Seal of King John. It was originally sealed on 15th June 1215.

Three out of the four surviving copies have lost their wax seals. Only three of the original clauses in the Magna Carta are still law; they are: the Freedom of the English Church, the Ancient Liberties of the City of London, and the clause which guarantees that everyone has the right to a fair trial.

Produced by the Pobjoy Mint UK, the coin’s curved–shape design tries to replicate the domed memorial at Runnymede in England that contains a pillar of English granite upon which is inscribed with the words “To commemorate the Magna Carta, symbol of Freedom under Law.”

The coin is made of cupro nickel and struck four times to achieve a detailed Proof finish. The obverse of the coin bears Elizabeth II’s effigy.