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George VI and Queen Elizabeth Coronation Mug

This souvenir mug celebrates the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937.

The writing in the blue belt reads Honi Soit qui Mal Y Pense which translates as ‘Shame on anyone who thinks evil of it’. It is a maxim in the Anglo-Norman or Old French language which is the motto of the Order of the Garter, the highest of British Knighthoods. The Latin Dieu et Mon Droit is the motto of the British Monarch and means ‘God and my right’. The King and Queen are surrounded by oak leaves and acorns. The oak is a national symbol of England and her history and traditions and is a common symbol of strength and endurance. It also has royal connections after Charles II hid in the Royal Oak during the English Civil War.

Commemorative pottery has been known to exist since Elizabeth I but transfer printing in the 1750s made it much easier and quicker to create souvenir pieces. George III’s jubilee in 1809, the death of Princess Charlotte in 1817, and George IV’s coronation, were among the earliest events to be commemorated on a large scale by the ceramics industry.

Queen Elizabeth Coronation Tin

A souvenir tin from the 1953 coronation of Elizabeth II with images of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on. In the corners are pictures of the national flowers of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales (Rose, Shamrock, Thistle and Daffodil). On the side is a drawing of the Sovereign’s Sceptre and the words ‘God Save the Queen’. The Sovereign's Sceptre has been used in every coronation since Charles II's in 1661.

Lots of different souvenir tins were made to commemorate the Queen’s coronation. They would have had biscuits, toffees, tea et cetera in. This was probably a tea caddy.

Coronation scrapbook

This handmade coronation scrapbook was created by a child to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. It contains various images cut out of newspapers.

Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was the first to be broadcast live on TV and internationally on the same day. For many British people it would be the first time they watched television. It was also the first time television had brought the nation together in such as shared experience. The ceremony was viewed by an estimate 20 million people huddled around small television sets in their homes. It was calculated each set in Britain was watched by an average of 9 people. The coronation was also broadcast on radio.

Souvenir Programme (Elizabeth II)

This souvenir programme is from Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. It is illustrated with black and white photos and has details of the procession. It features the Sovereign’s coat of arms with the three lions of England, the lion on Scotland, and the harp of England. The shield is supported by the English lion and the Scottish unicorn, and the royal crown sits on top.

Souvenir programmes as well as commemorative editions or supplements from magazines and newspapers were produced for many of the more recent coronations. They included pictures, photos and articles about the monarch, the royal family and other important guests attending.

George VI Souvenir Spoon

The spoon has a small image of George VI on the top with a crown above. Around it, it reads ‘Coronation Day 1937’.

There were lots of different designs of souvenir spoons made for the coronation, some more decorative than others and several featuring Queen Elizabeth as well.

Collecting spoons probably began in Europe in the mid to late 18th century. It became very popular in America in the 19th century when tourists brought home souvenir spoons inscribed with places and landmarks they had seen. Spoons, along with various other collectable items such as thimbles, mugs and coins are often made to celebrate events in the royal family such as celebrations, weddings and births.

Queen Victoria Coronation Medal

The inscription reads: VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIARUM REGINA F: D: which is the shortened version of Victoria Dei Gratia Britanniarum Regina Fidei Defensatrix which, translated from Latin, means: Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.

A variety of medals were made, with gold and silver medals presented to members of the Royal Household, government ministers, senior officials, certain foreign visitors and military officers involved in the celebrations.

The coronation of Queen Victoria took place on 28 June 1838, just over a year after she succeeded to the throne at the age of 18. The procession to and from the ceremony at Westminster Abbey was witnessed by unprecedentedly huge crowds, as the new railways made it easier for an estimated 400,000 to come to London from the rest of the country.