Queen Elizabeth II Sapphire Jubilee: Royal Crest - 2017 Proof Sterling Silver Coin

Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne at the age of 25, upon the death of her father, King George VI, on 6 February 1952, and was proclaimed Queen by her various privy and executive councils shortly afterwards. The Coronation took place more than a year later due to the tradition that holding such a festival is inappropriate during the period of mourning following the death of a monarch. In the ceremony itself, at Westminster Abbey, Elizabeth swore an oath to uphold the law and govern the Church of England.

Queen Elizabeth II became the longest reining monarch in 2015 when she overtook her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. The recent death of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej means Queen Elizabeth II of Britain and the Commonwealth Realms has now become the world's longest-reigning living monarch.

The 65th anniversary is associated with the gemstone sapphire - symbolic of loyalty and some say can bring inner peace and fulfilment of dreams and prosperity. The colour associated with this anniversary is blue - symbolic of trust and peace, loyalty and integrity, all characteristics you would expect in a Sovereign.

The Queen’s Coronation took place in 1953 a year after she acceded to the throne and was the first major event to be broadcast on television against Winston Churchill’s advice. The Coronation was broadcast in both black and white and colour and was viewed by 27 million of the then 36 million Brits!