Ascension Island 2013 - Baroness Thatcher, LG. OM. PC. FRS - Uncirculated Cupro Nickel Coin

Marking an extraordinary life

Named the Iron Lady by a Soviet journalist, Margaret Thatcher has gained her place in British history as Britain’s first and only female Prime Minister as well as the longest serving Prime Minister of the 20th Century.  

Born in 1925, the daughter of a grocer, she studied chemistry at Oxford but became involved in politics from an early age.  She was elected leader of the Conservative Party in 1975 and made history four years later, becoming Prime Minister when the Conservatives won the elections of 1979, the first of three victories under her leadership.  As Prime Minister she became famous nationally and internationally as a result of domestic issues including the trade unions, Miner’s strike, poll tax, and privatisation, and on a global stage the invasion of the Falkland Islands. Baroness Thatcher passed away at the age of 87 on 8th April 2013.

On 31st May 2007, Pobjoy Mint was delighted to welcome the Baroness Thatcher to the Mint to launch a series of coins issued to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Falkland Islands. The former Prime Minister struck the first coin stating: “It is a great honour to have been invited to Pobjoy Mint to strike this very special coin which commemorates such a remarkable event.”

Available in Cupro Nickel and Proof Sterling Silver, each commemorative coin has been struck four times creating the famous Pobjoy Proof finish. The precious metal coins also feature the design in relief with a beautiful ‘mirror-finish’ background.

The obverse of the coin features an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Man, by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS. Ian Rank-Broadley is one of the foremost sculptors working today. His effigy of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II has appeared on all UK coinage since 1998 and Pobjoy Mint has exclusive use of the ‘uncouped’ effigy that appears on the obverse of these coins.