Couldn't they have struck a better likeness? Royal Mint releases coin to commemorate William and Kate's engagement



Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement photographs may have been airbrushed, but at least they bore a faithful resemblance.

It's a shame the same can't be said for the special commemorative coin, released by the Royal Mint today to mark the occasion.

The first ever struck to mark a royal engagement, the Alderney coin has a denomination of £5 and comes in its own presentation folder.

Clumsy flattery: The commemorative coin released to mark the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton bears little resemblance to the couple

But the badly executed image of the Royal couple, by the Royal Mint's head of design Matthew Bonaccorsi, bears little likeness to either partner.

In, perhaps, a clumsy attempt at flattery, Kate's upper lip appears to have been plumped beyond recognition.

Less kind is the broad neck the artist has given her, making her seem rather more masculine, and less slight than she is in reality.

William is seen in profile, his head tactfully cropped to conceal his thinning hair, but unwittingly making a statement of his Adam's apple, which appears to have been enlarged to match the size of his nose.

Airbrushed: William and Kate, pictured in the official engagement photograph taken by celebrated fashion photographer Mario Testino

Their heads are surrounded by a script reading: 'Celebrating the engagement of William and Catherine'.

It's just as well the words are there, as the image alone would not be enough to reveal the identity of the couple.

Clearly William had no complaints with the design, however, as it received his Royal approval as well as that of his grandmother, The Queen.



Then and now: The 22-carat gold version of the Alderney coin (left) and the coin released in 1981 to mark the marriage of William's parents Charles and Diana



Her Majesty's profile, a portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley, appears on the reverse.

In profile: Charles and Diana's commemorative wedding coin bore a faithful likeness to the couple

It is a less successful effort than the coin released to mark the marriage of William's parents in 1981.

The engraving, designed by Phillip Nathan, showed both Charles and Diana in profile, and captured a good likeness of them both.

Just 50,000 of the new Alderney coins will be available in the special presentation folders, and just 100,000 will ever be minted.



The cupro-nickel coin, which costs £9.99, will be struck to a Brilliant Uncirculated quality, a higher specification than circulation coins.

Rarer still, will be the sterling silver version, £55.50, of which just 15,000 will be made, while just 1,000 will be struck in 22-carat gold, each retailing at £1,550.

