The Composition Of Belize's 5-Cent Coin

The 5-cent coin from Belize in 2006 is likely made of aluminium. Coins of this denomination from Belize have been made of aluminium since 1974, with the exception of some years where they were made of nickel-brass or silver. The 2006 Belize 5-cent coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the front and the denomination surrounded by a beaded circle on the back.

Belize's first head of state

The 5-cent coin from Belize, dated 2006, is made of aluminium. It is a standard circulation coin, with a crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, surrounded by a beaded circle around the rim. The lettering reads: "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND". The value is within a beaded circle, with the date below.

Belize's history as a monarchy is closely tied to its colonial past. In 1836, after Central America gained emancipation from Spanish rule, the British claimed the right to administer the region, which later became known as Belize. In 1862, the Settlement of Belize in the Bay of Honduras was officially declared a British colony, named British Honduras. Over a century later, in 1973, British Honduras was renamed Belize, but it was not until 1981 that the country gained independence from the United Kingdom.

Upon independence, Belize became a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. The Belizean monarchy is a system of government where a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state. While the person of the sovereign is shared with other Commonwealth nations, each country's monarchy is legally distinct and separate. As a result, the monarch has a unique title and uses Belizean symbols when acting specifically as a representative of Belize.

The role of the Belizean monarch is largely symbolic and cultural, with most powers exercised by elected members of parliament, government ministers, and judges. However, the monarch retains significant reserve powers that can be used in exceptional circumstances. The Royal Prerogative extends to foreign affairs, allowing the sovereign to negotiate and ratify treaties without parliamentary approval. Additionally, the issuance of passports falls under the Royal Prerogative, and all Belizean passports are issued in the name of the governor-general, the monarch's representative.

Belize's current monarch and head of state is King Charles III, who ascended the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

1976-2018 series coin

The 5-cent coin from Belize, featuring Queen Elizabeth II, was issued from 1973 until 2021. The coin is made of aluminium and has a standard circulation. It is also available in nickel brass. The coin's obverse features a crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, surrounded by a beaded circle around the rim. The lettering reads: "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND". The reverse of the coin features the value within a beaded circle, with the date below, and another beaded circle around the rim. The lettering on the reverse reads: "* BELIZE * 5 CENTS * [year]". The coin was designed by Cecil Thomas and minted at the Royal Mint in Llantrisant, United Kingdom.

The 1976-2018 series of the Belizean 5-cent coin features the same design elements as described above. The specific years of this series are available from various sellers and collectors, with prices ranging from $0.35 USD to $2.77 USD, depending on the coin's condition and rarity.

Queen Elizabeth II's portrait

The 5-cent coin from Belize features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right and wearing the heraldic Tudor Crown. The lettering around the portrait reads "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND". The portrait was engraved by Cecil Thomas, a British sculptor and medallist who regularly created sculptures for private display and was often commissioned by the Royal Mint. The obverse side of the coin features the Belizean Coat-of-Arms.

The coin is made of aluminium and is part of the 1976-2018 series. Its rim is plain, and its colour is silver. The diameter of the coin is 2.03 cm, and its weight is .15 grams. The 5-cent coin is similar in size to the 1-cent coin but can be distinguished by its shape.

The 5-cent coin was first introduced in Belize in 1973 when the country changed its name from British Honduras. The coins were struck at the Royal Mint in Llantrisant, retaining the basic designs of the British Honduras coins but with the country's name changed to "Belize". The 5-cent coin is a standard circulation coin, and its value is 0.05 BZD, which is equivalent to USD 0.025.

The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the 5-cent coin is one of two types of effigies of the Queen used on Belizean coins. The other effigy, designed by Raphael Maklouf, is featured on the dollar coin.

Beaded circle on the reverse

The 5-cent coin from Belize features a beaded circle on its reverse, surrounding the coin's denomination. This coin is part of the 1976-2018 series and is made of silver-coloured aluminium or nickel-brass. The coin's obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right and wearing the heraldic Tudor Crown. The text "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND" surrounds the portrait, and the coin's engraver, Cecil Thomas, is also credited on the obverse.

The 5-cent coin's design has evolved over time, with earlier versions made of different materials and featuring different designs. For example, in 1974, the 5-cent coin was made of nickel-brass and featured the same obverse design as the later aluminium version. However, by 1977, the 5-cent coin was made of silver and featured the same obverse design as the 1974 nickel-brass version.

The 5-cent coin from Belize is part of a series of coins that were first issued in 1973 when British Honduras changed its name to Belize. These coins retained the basic designs of the British Honduras coins but with the country's name changed to "Belize". The Royal Mint in Llantrisant struck these coins, and they are considered the first official coins of Belize by collectors.

The beaded circle on the reverse of the 5-cent coin adds a decorative element to the design, framing the central denomination in an attractive way. This beaded circle is a common feature on coins, often used to enhance the overall design and add a sense of depth or texture to the reverse side.

Overall, the 5-cent coin from Belize, featuring the beaded circle on its reverse, is a well-designed and attractive piece that has evolved over time while retaining key design elements.

Coins of the Colony of Belize

On June 1, 1973, the British colony of British Honduras became Belize, but it was not until 1981 that Belize gained independence and began issuing its own currency. The coins of the Colony of Belize (1973–80) retained the same basic designs as the coins of British Honduras, but with the country's name changed to "Belize". These coins were produced at the Royal Mint in Llantrisant. A series of numismatic coins, featuring the Belizean Coat-of-Arms on the obverse instead of the Queen's portrait, were struck at the Franklin Mint. These coins were primarily aimed at American collectors and were not circulated in Belize.

Belizean coins depict Queen Elizabeth II, the country's first head of state, facing right and wearing the heraldic Tudor Crown. The coins feature two types of effigy of the Queen: one by Cecil Thomas for denominations of 1-50 cents and another by Raphael Maklouf for the dollar coin. The 5-cent coin, for instance, is made of aluminium and has a crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right with a beaded circle around the rim. The lettering reads: "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND". The value is within a beaded circle, with the date below.

The Belize dollar is the official currency in Belize, with the currency code BZD. It is usually abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or BZ$ to distinguish it from other dollar currencies. The Belize dollar is divided into 100 cents and has an official value of BZ$2 = US$1.

In 1825, an imperial order-in-council introduced British sterling coinage into all British colonies, making it legal tender. This order set an exchange rate between sterling and the Spanish dollar at $1 = 4s 4d. However, the realistic exchange rate should have been $4.80 = £1, making the official rate unrealistic and leading to the initiative's failure. Remedial legislation was enacted in 1838, introducing the correct rating of $1 = 4s 2d.

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