UK 5 Euro Pattern in Silver

As Europe prepared to adopt the Euro currency in 2002, many countries, the UK included, began preparing for the new currency with proposals for the designs of their coinage. International Numismatic Agency (INA) was involved in producing trial designs and strikes in different metals and one of the pieces they struck was this 5 Euro Trial in Sterling Silver. The design is very British, featuring our monarch at the time, Queen Elizabeth with the reverse featuring Britannia standing, resting on a shield with a globe to her left and a the Cutty Sark to her right. Of course, the UK never adopted the Euro and subsequently left the European Union completely so none of the proposed designs ever became a reality but these trial strikes have become much sought after by collectors and we only have 10 of these pieces available.