World's first titanium coin is a 1999 Gibraltar Millennium £5 coin minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK. In 1999, to celebrate the Millennium year 2000, the government of Gibraltar authorized the Pobjoy Mint to strike legal-tender £ 5 coin to mark the arrival of the 21st century, the new millenium. Although titanium has been found since 1791, this is the first time it has been used to manufacture coins. The coin is a reverse proof, the blank fields are matte and the effigy has a proof finish.
The Gibraltar coin is also struck for collectors in virenium, silver and in gold. Virenium is another metal only used in coins produced at the Pobjoy Mint. Pobjoy Mint has been in the headlines in recent years due to other technological developments it has initiated, including the holographic device on coins as a security device. The private mint also strikes circulation coins under contract for a number of mints in addition to the commemorative that normally grab the headlines.
The coin reverse design show the passage of time in the form of four symbolic time-keeping devices: a sundial, digital clock face, candle and traditional clock face on center with wording "MILLENNIUM 2000" & "5 POUNDS" around it. The coin obverse show Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley and wording "GIBRALTER", "ELIZABETH II" and year 1999.
Technical Specifications:
Face Value: 5 Pounds
Country: Gibraltar
Diameter: 36.10mm
Metal Fineness: Platinum 950
Weight: 10.00gm
Mintage: 25,000
Mint: Pobjoy Mint
Titanium is a lightweight metal a of silver-grey colour and is widely used in the manufacture of aircraft and jet engines but is known for its lightweight use in Tennis rackets and golf clubs. Although not rare, the metal is extremely difficult to strike and is also a very expensive process to produce as it is never found in its pure state. It has the highest strength to weight ratio of any metal but 45% lighter.
