§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord McIntosh of Haringey)My right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Gordon Brown) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to approve my recommendation that the following coins should be issued in 2005 and 2006:
A gold half-sovereign, sovereign, double-sovereign and £5 in 2005 bearing a new reverse design;
a crown piece to celebrate the 80th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen in 2006;
a pair of £2 coins to mark the 200th anniversary in 2006 of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel; and
a series of three 50p pieces to commemorate the 150th anniversary in 2006 of the institution of the Victoria Cross.
Collector versions of all these coins will be released at a premium above face value. In the case of the crown, the £2 coins and the 50p pieces, during the course of 2006 versions will also become available at face value from banks and post offices.