Contents:
The Origin and Purpose of the £100 Pound Coin
In late 2014, the Royal Mint announced something unusual: a silver coin with a face value of £100 for collectors. When it finally appeared in 2015, it had the image of Big Ben and was struck in fine silver, over two troy ounces of it.
It wasn’t designed to circulate. You couldn’t buy groceries with it, at least not easily. But people loved it. Fifty thousand were made, and they sold out fast. If you have one, better identify these coins; they may be rare.
The Design and Artistic Details of the One Hundred Pound Coin
Each £100 looks and feels epic, with Queen Elizabeth II on one side and London’s best-known landmarks on the other. Two portraits of the Queen were used across the series: the older Ian Rank-Broadley version and later the Jody Clark effigy, which first appeared on the Buckingham Palace edition. The reverse designs came from Glyn Davies and Laura Clancy: names well known to collectors for their work.
The Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) Design on the £100 Coin
The first issue in 2015 showed Elizabeth Tower, with its Gothic Revival detailing cut deep into the silver. You can almost see the hands of the clock if you tilt it right. It weighs 62.86 grams, measures 40 millimetres, and has a milled edge. Only 50,000 were made. It was the first of its kind, and still the most recognized.
The Buckingham Palace £100 Coin Edition
Later that same year came another design: Buckingham Palace. This one was important because it introduced Jody Clark’s new portrait of the Queen, the one that would define her image on later issues. The palace engraving is wide and symmetrical, stretching across the full face of the coin. Again, fifty thousand pieces were minted, each made of .999 fine silver.
The Trafalgar Square £100 Coin Release
A year later, in 2016, the Royal Mint completed the trio with Trafalgar Square. Only 45,000 items were produced, slightly fewer than the first two, showing Nelson’s Column rising between the fountains. The same weight, the same purity, the same dimensions, but a fresh angle on London’s skyline.
Composition and Specifications of the £100 Coin
Feature | Specification |
Denomination | £100 |
Metal | .999 fine silver |
Weight | 62.86 g (2.021 troy oz) |
Diameter | 40 mm |
Edge | Milled |
Years of Issue | 2015–2022 |
Designers | Glyn Davies & Laura Clancy (reverse) / Ian Rank-Broadley, Jody Clark (obverse) |
Legal Tender Status and Spending Rules
Yes, the £100 is technically legal tender, but that doesn’t mean you can drop it at Tesco. It was made for collectors. After a few people tried to deposit or spend them, the Royal Mint had to step in and clarify: they aren’t meant for circulation.
“Royal Mint guidelines advise that, although the coins were approved as legal tender, they are considered limited edition collectables not intended for general circulation, and hence shops and banks are not obliged to accept them.”
— "Legal Tender Guidelines"
From The Royal Mint
Shops and banks don’t have to accept them. “Legal tender” in this case just means they’re officially recognized, not that they function as everyday money.
That said, their legitimacy as part of Britain’s coinage history is real; they just live in display cases and collectors’ trays.
Collectibility and Current Value of the £100 Coin
Even though it carries a face value of £100, that number doesn’t mean much in practice. Nobody’s spending one. Collectors care more about what the piece represents: the first modern silver one of its kind.
Most trade close to their silver value, maybe £45–£55, but mint-condition ones still sealed in their Royal Mint packs cost more. The 2015 Big Ben issue tends to draw the most attention, partly because it was the first one.
Notable £100 Coin Issues by The Royal Mint
Year | Design | Designers | Mintage |
2015 | Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) | Glyn Davies & Laura Clancy | 50,000 |
2015 | Buckingham Palace | Glyn Davies & Laura Clancy | 50,000 |
2016 | Trafalgar Square | Glyn Davies & Laura Clancy | 45,000 |
There are no special editions after 2016 and no legit information about future releases.
The Legacy of the One Hundred Pound Coin in Modern British Coinage
It’s modern, detailed, and very British in its choice of subjects. It also marks a point in time. Late in Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, the Royal Mint was experimenting: £20, £50 cons, £100, testing what collectors wanted. It is an accessible silver for ordinary buyers.
FAQ
What is the value of 100 coins?
If you mean £100 coins, they’re worth £100 on paper, though the silver inside is worth about half that.
Do 100 coins make a dollar?
Yes, if they’re U.S. one-cent coins.
Whose on the 100 won coin?
That would be Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the Korean naval commander.
What coin has the highest value?
In the U.K., the £100 silver coin is the highest face-value collector issue ever made.
What is the £100 coin made from?
Each coin contains .999 fine silver, weighs 62.86 grams, and has a milled edge.
Which designs of the £100 coin are the most valuable?
Collectors generally prize the 2015 Elizabeth Tower coin the most, especially in unopened Royal Mint packaging.
How can I check if my £100 coin is genuine?
Real ones measure exactly 40 mm across, have crisp engraving, and come with official Royal Mint packaging or certificates.
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