Which Direction Does Queen Elizabeth II Face on British Coins?

Queen Elizabeth II has appeared on British coins for over 65 years, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history. But have you ever wondered which direction she faces on these coins?

On most British coins, Queen Elizabeth II is depicted facing to the right. This tradition dates back to the reign of King Charles II in the 17th century, who decided that the monarch should face in the opposite direction of his or her predecessor. Since the previous monarch, King George VI, faced to the left on British coins, Queen Elizabeth II faces to the right.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, on the commemorative £5 coins issued for the Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilees, she is depicted facing to the left. This is a deliberate choice to distinguish these special coins from the regular circulation coins.

It is worth noting that the direction in which Queen Elizabeth II faces on coins is purely a matter of tradition and does not hold any symbolic meaning. In fact, the monarch's direction on coins is simply a matter of personal preference and can vary from country to country.

So next time you take a closer look at a British coin, remember that Queen Elizabeth II most commonly faces to the right, but there may be exceptions to this rule on special commemorative coins.

In conclusion, Queen Elizabeth II faces to the right on most British coins, following a long-standing tradition dating back to the 17th century. However, there are exceptions to this rule on commemorative coins, where she may be depicted facing to the left. Regardless of the direction she faces, Queen Elizabeth II remains a symbol of stability and continuity for the United Kingdom.

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