The image on this £5 of the emblems of the four countries— the Rose of England, the Thistle of Scotland, the Leek of Wales and the Flax of Northern Ireland— celebrates the unity of the UK.

The inscription, 'And the world will be as one', by John Lennon from 'Imagine', builds on this unity as the Olympic and Paralympic Games unify the world through sporting achievement.

On 1 May 1707 the Kingdom of Great Britain was created by the political union of the Kingdom of England (which included Wales) and the Kingdom of Scotland. ...

More >>

The image on this £5 of the emblems of the four countries— the Rose of England, the Thistle of Scotland, the Leek of Wales and the Flax of Northern Ireland— celebrates the unity of the UK.

The inscription, 'And the world will be as one', by John Lennon from 'Imagine', builds on this unity as the Olympic and Paralympic Games unify the world through sporting achievement.

On 1 May 1707 the Kingdom of Great Britain was created by the political union of the Kingdom of England (which included Wales) and the Kingdom of Scotland. Almost a century later the Kingdom of Ireland merged with the Kingdom of Great Britain to form the United Kingdom with the passing of the Act of Union.

The national emblems of the four countries— the English Rose, the Scottish Thistle, the Welsh Leek and the Flax of Northern Ireland— appear on the coin. They symbolize the united Team GB as the Union flag will be held aloft at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Games.

The Unity proof comes in an official Royal Mint display case and includes a certificate of authenticity.