Royal Mint Unveils £5 Coin For New Princess

The Royal Mint has unveiled the design of a new £5 coin, to commemorate the safe arrival of the royal baby.

In celebration of the princess's birth, 500 gold coins and 9,500 silver coins will be produced.

The coins have a royal seal of approval from the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Chancellor.

John Bergdahl has designed the limited-edition pieces, and he was also the artist behind the commemorative coins which were minted for Prince George's birth.

The Royal Mint's Shane Bissett said: "It is only fitting that we commemorate this new addition to the Royal Family with the release of a special coin, just as we celebrated the arrival of Prince George."

In addition to the £5 coin, the Royal Mint has also produced 2015 silver pennies which will be given to babies born on the same day as the royal baby.

The first silver penny was presented to Chantal and Miguel Abel, whose daughter Sofia arrived at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London at 11.30am on Saturday - around three hours after the Princess of Cambridge.

Mr Bissett added: "This will be a special day for many mothers and fathers across the country too, as they welcome the arrival of their own new babies, which is why The Royal Mint is extending this historical moment to them with the gift of a lucky silver penny.

"Silver is closely associated with birth, as crossing the palm of a new born baby with silver is a way to wish them wealth and good health throughout their life."

Parents of other babies who arrived on 2 May have 60 days to register the birth of their child on the Royal Mint's Facebook page.

Meanwhile, the Royal Mail is celebrating the new delivery by issuing a special postmark which will appear on millions of letters across the country on Tuesday.

The message will read: "Congratulations TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their daughter."

This will be the first time that the Royal Mail has issued such a postmark in its 500-year history.

The Royal Collection Trust is also releasing a range of commemorative china to mark the Princess of Cambridge's birth – including a plate which features lions and unicorns from the Royal Arms dancing among golden stars.

:: The New Princess; a special programme, will be shown on Sky News today at 3.30pm and 8.30pm.