In 1840, the world was changed forever when British school teacher Rowland Hill created the world’s first-ever postage stamp: the Penny Black. This revolutionary invention allowed British citizens to communicate more quickly, easily and affordably than ever before. 150 years later in 1990, a special commemorative coin was struck to celebrate the legacy of the Penny Black. Using innovative technology and the first-ever “Pearl Black” finish, this release became one of the most celebrated coins of the century, winning “Coin of the Year,” “The Best Crown” and “The Most Innovative Design” awards. Now, that award-winning design is back in Ultra High Relief for a world-exclusive anniversary release!

A Legacy Worth Celebrating
The 150th Anniversary Penny Black Commemorative displayed a design recreating the original Queen Victoria Penny Black stamp on one side, and an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. That effigy was the work of celebrated sculptor Raphael Maklouf, and appeared on coins struck around the world throughout the British Commonwealth from 1985 until 1997. The queen again became Maklouf’s subject in 2016, when the artist sculpted Queen Elizabeth II for her ninetieth birthday.

Now in 2020, the Tower Mint, founded by Maklouf in 1976, has released the 2020 Penny Black coin to commemorate both the 30th anniversary of the original Penny Black coin and the 180th anniversary of the first Penny Black stamp. Just like the original, this coin is official Isle of Man legal tender and displays the award-winning Penny Black design opposite Maklouf’s famous Queen Elizabeth II effigy first released in 1985.

Struck in 99.9% Silver and Gold
For this exciting anniversary release, Maklouf’s Tower Mint has struck the famous Penny Black design in five ounces of 99.9% fine silver and one ounce of 99.9% pure gold. Each coin features the same iconic design and, just like the original, is official Isle of Man legal tender, with values of £10 and £5, respectively. This legal-tender status is an important benefit for many collectors, as it means that the coin’s contents, weight and purity all come backed by a government guarantee.

Ultra High Relief Proof Condition
Each carefully struck 2020 Penny Black commemorative begins as a highly polished planchet. Struck multiple times under extreme pressure using specially treated and crafted dies, the result is frosted devices that tower over mirrored fields for a level of depth and contrast that are a wonder to behold.

Special Ruthenium Finish
Where the original 1990 commemorative utilized a Pearl Black finish, the 2020 Penny Black features a selective Ruthenium finish. Ruthenium is a rare transition metal belonging to the Platinum group on the periodic table and provides an attractive black field on both sides of the coin.

World Exclusive Hand-Signed Labels
In an exclusive offering, a limited number of silver and gold 2020 Penny Black Proofs have been sealed with a special label hand-signed by Maklouf himself. In addition, these coins are certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), one of the world’s leading third-party grading services, as being First Day of Issue for the Five-Ounce Silver and the One-Ounce Gold.

In addition to being certified as First Day of Issue, these historic proof coins can be yours graded by NGC as perfect Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70 UC) condition—flawless even under magnification.

Limited Availability—Secure Yours Now!
From the already limited mintages, just 675 silver and only 325 gold coins will be certified as First Day of Issue and sealed with a world-exclusive label hand-signed by Raphael Maklouf.

The Penny Black stamp changed the world. The 1990 Penny Black coin changed numismatics. Don’t miss out on these 2020 Penny Black Ultra High Relief Proofs!

2020 Isle of Man One-Ounce Gold Penny Black Ultra High Relief Proof

• One Ounce of Gold
• 99.9% Purity
• Official Isle of Man Legal Tender
• Historic Penny Black Design
• Proof Condition
• Ultra High Relief Strike
• Selective Ruthenium Finish
• Graded Flawless PF70 UC by NGC
• Certified as First Day of Issue
• Label Hand-Signed by Raphael Maklouf

2020 Isle of Man Five-Ounce Silver Penny Black Ultra High Relief Proof

• Five Ounces of Silver
• 99.9% Fineness
• Official Isle of Man Legal Tender
• Historic Penny Black Design
• Proof Condition
• Ultra High Relief Strike
• Selective Ruthenium Finish
• Graded Flawless PF70 UC by NGC
• Certified as First Day of Issue
• Label Hand-Signed by Raphael Maklouf