Gibraltar 5 pence - puzzle ?

I have two 5 pence coins from Gibraltar with a small monkey on.

The puzzle is ... The coin dated 2001 shows the modern 4th portrait of the queen , whereas the later one dated 2005 reverts to the 3rd portrait of the Queen - puzzling.

I am sure someone here will know why... A mistake or by design ?

Charles

Never realised that, interesting.

The 2005 coin that's listed as 3rd portrait is different from the original 3rd portrait.
The original one being just neck and head, but the one on your 2005 coin appears to be shoulders upwards, so should that be listed as 5th portrait?

Original Maklouf portrait


2nd Maklouf portrait

Although the Queen is still wearing the same Royal Diadem, it appears to be completely different portrait.

Don't know enough about Gibraltar coins, but an interesting find.
Hopefully someone else can explain

Thanks for sharing.

I think it is the same portrait, but the dressing is cut on the first one. And on second the Queen is as a figure with the dressing.

Hi,

I don't know too much about Gibraltar coins - I like collecting them, all the channel island ,IOM too. I bet the all have interesting history.

You are right too - it's not exactly the same as the 3 rd portrait , a necklace is shown although crown looks same. Curiouser and curiouser

The fifth portrait of the queen is due soon. I have written to royal mint - to see if they mint Gibraltar coins - if so I will ask them direct.

Watch this space - someone will know . Good fun

Hi superman,

Think you are probably right - the coins are so tiny it's difficult to tell - but the earrings look different on the pics. Anyhow the question remains why would you mint the same denomination coin with an earlier younger portrait after issuing an older portrait.

the royal mint dont make Gibraltars coins. its not strictly classed as a 5th portrait since that is reserved for homeland coins. Its a different effigy that is official in Gibraltar with royal approval.

It's like a jigsaw puzzle - a piece at a time. But is not the 2005 still the younger image than 2001

It may not be younger image, as the Gibraltar Mint classes the new one as the fifth portrait, but I can't find any information (yet) as to when the designs were created, only when they were minted.
http://www.gibraltarnationalmint.gov.gi/changingPortraits.php

I think that the UK is changing to a 5th portrait next year, so maybe it will be that one?

By Jove he's got it.

Clearly then despite its look (and its similarity to the third portrait) it is actually a later /older image and as far as Gibraltar are concerned is a fifth portrait.

I do not expect it ,however, to be the new portrait for the new pound coin.

Thanks all contributors