A monarch respected by diverse societies around the globe, Elizabeth II was far more than just queen of the United Kingdom. She was a towering figure in geopolitics, a fashion icon, and an inspiration for many young women. It is no surprise that there is a wealth of collectible material associated with her. But is this the right time to invest…?
Queen Elizabeth’s seventy-year reign produced countless thousands of collectible items, from simple tea mugs to diamond watches. Her passing in September 2022 has led to a surge in online sales of memorabilia commemorating her life.
The best national markets for royal collectibles are countries in the Commonwealth (especially Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) or the United States. Key dates are important. Her coronation in 1953 and jubilees in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022 mark the times when most royal collectibles were crafted.
Print Media
Magazines and newspapers from one of these key dates will attract attention. British newspapers produced special editions for the coronation and the jubilees. Queen Elizabeth also featured on several magazine covers throughout her life, including Grazia and Vogue. Time had her on a total of eleven covers, and copies have recently been selling for upwards of $70.
Coins
Commemorative coins produced by the Royal Mint have been issued in great numbers. As such, the majority are unlikely to significantly rise in value in the short term. As ever, the true price of an item is determined by what the buyer is willing to pay for it and there have been recent eBay sales that have fetched astronomical amounts for readily available coins.
A hard and fast rule is that coins minted before U.K. decimalization in 1971 tend to do better than coins minted afterward. Huge numbers of coins are less rare than people imagine. For example, the 2015 £2 Magna Carta coin and the 2011 WWF 50p Coin are still only worth their face values.
Primary Artefacts
Owning a primary piece associated with Elizabeth will be significantly more valuable than something mass-produced. Such items are more common than you might imagine. Across seventy years, Elizabeth issued numerous memos and instructions from the Royal office. In addition, every British citizen who reached the age of one hundred received a note of congratulations from the monarch.
A primary piece could also include a letter signed by the Queen or one of the Christmas cards she sent out every year. Indeed, a personal letter containing her signature recently sold for almost $9,000 at an auction in Germany.
Final Thoughts
In all cases, condition influences price, and items without wear and tear will naturally fetch higher amounts. Official memorabilia are usually of higher quality, though this is not always true. Several online sellers produce unofficial material including t-shirts, mugs, fridge magnets, and key rings.
While the sheer flood of mass-produced collectibles means a saturated market, the values of unique primary items related to Queen Elizabeth are only set to increase as time goes on. Many collectors in this field are devoted fans of Elizabeth. Even commemorative items with numerous copies may still hold significant sentimental value for those of us interested in the monarchy.
Related Reading
Books
Royal Commemorative Mugs and Beakers by Peter Lockton.
The Queen: 70 Glorious Years by The Royal Collection Trust.
Web Resources
The best royal memorabilia to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s long reign homesandantiques.com.
The highs and lows of collecting royal memorabilia houseandgarden.co.uk.
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