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'Flamboyant' coins for Liberty's 150th anniversary

PA Media A collectable coin is unveiled at Liberty London by the Royal Mint to celebrate the department store's 150th anniversary, featuring a design created by LibertyPA Media
The coin features a floral design created by Liberty

Coins celebrating 150 years of the "flamboyant style and timeless designs" of the emporium Liberty have been unveiled by the Royal Mint.

Liberty was founded in 1875 and is known for the distinctive Tudor-style architecture of its London building and its floral and paisley prints.

The brand became a hub for design and craftsmanship and is celebrated for its fashion and its decoratively patterned fabrics.

The £5 coin design includes elements from Liberty's latest collection of fabrics.

Getty Images Exterior view showing the Great Marlborough Street facade of Liberty's newly completed Arts and Crafts Tudor style department store. Getty Images
The building was constructed using timbers from HMS Hindustan and HMS Impregnable

Liberty's history

In 1875, Arthur Lasenby Liberty borrowed £2,000 from his future father-in-law and took a building on Regent Street, London.

He collected and sold ornaments and fabrics to a public enraptured by oriental fashions - and within 18 months the loan was repaid.

The Great Marlborough Street shop followed in 1924, built from the timbers of two ancient three-decker battleships - their decks now being the shop flooring.

The ships were the HMS Impregnable and the HMS Hindustan.

Getty Images Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing a Liberty print maternity suit designed by Jan Van Velden, while pregnant with Prince Harry, visits the Albany Centre on May 23, 1984 in Deptford, United Kingdom. It is a pastel floral outfit in blue with bits of pink, a large Peter Pan collar and a blue ribbon at the neck.Getty Images
Princess Diana wore a Liberty print maternity outfit when expecting Prince Harry

The coins and medallion will be on display at Liberty's flagship store from 12 May to the end of July.

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: "Flamboyant style, timeless designs and the finest British craftsmanship have been combined to produce a special commemorative coin to mark 150 years of Liberty.

"It has been a pleasure collaborating with Liberty to create this unique design that honours the brand's rich heritage and its bright future."

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