he Royal Australian Mint released the two coins to mark 100 years since Queen Elizabeth’s birth, but royal fans aren’t happy.

In fact, observers flocked to social media to share that they were very unimpressed with the commemoration.
A tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II hasn’t gone down well (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Queen Elizabeth coin slammed

The $5 (£2.56) and 50c (26p) silver coins show a front-facing image of the queen surrounded by symbols that represent her life – like corgis and horses.

Unfortunately though, the front-facing image, rather than a typical profile shot, hasn’t gone down well with fans.

One even penned on social media that the portrait “doesn’t even look remotely like her”.

Another quipped in reference to the coin: “Did she forget to put her teeth in on the sitting day?”

“There’s a reason most portraits are from the side. Looks like she just ran into a wall,” fumed a third.

The queen was even compared to animated character Shrek and Mrs Doubtfire, played by Robin Williams.

Royal fans react to new Queen Elizabeth coin

Another chimed in: “Is this what happens when the queen is not around to approve the design?”

“If I saw that face without the hairdo and pearls, would never guess who it was meant to be,” another added.

“No, stop don’t release it, melt them all and get at proper portrait of The Queen not a screen shot of Mrs Doubtfire,” fumed another.

“Look like they watched shrek while drawing this portrait! It doesn’t even look like her,” another commenter wrote.

The Royal Australian Mint respond

The backlash was so apparent, the Royal Australian Mint even issued a response.

They said that “coin images don’t always capture the full beauty of a design once it’s etched in metal.”
The queen sadly passed away in 2022 (Credit: SplashNews.com)
The organisation stressed the coin was “palace approved”.

They also said that the coin reflected “the many facets of Queen Elizabeth II’s life and legacy.”

The Royal Australian Mint went on to say: “At the heart of the coin is a portrait by Royal Australian Mint artist Aleksandra Stokic, rendered with warmth and dignity. One hundred years after her birth, the portrait reflection on a reign that shaped an era.”

The coin sold out despite complaints

Royal Insider has contacted Buckingham Palace and the Royal Australian Mint for further comment.

Despite the complaints, the coin appears to have been a hit with collectors. They have reportedly already sold out.

As per the mint’s website, there was 30,000 of the 50c coins created and 5,000 of the $5 pieces.

The back of the coin also features an image of King Charles.

New coin commemorates ‘one hundred years after the birth of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’

The coins are collector’s items and won’t enter general public circulation.

RAC penned in their post before the criticism: “One hundred years after the birth of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, two commemorative coins feature a beautiful new portrait of the Queen, framed with symbols of her life, passions and reign.”

Following complaints, comments were later restricted in the post.

However, the RAC did update followers in the comment section that the “2026 $5 1 oz Silver Proof Coin – HM Queen Elizabeth II Centenary of Birth is no longer available from the Mint Contact Centre.”