Queen Elizabeth II 25th Anniversary Coronation First Day Cover, Great Britain postmarked on May 31, 1978.

Great Britain

Britain's contribution to the philatelic celebration of the Coronation Anniversary consists of four designs:

9p — The State Coach. Built of oak for George III, the State Coach has become the traditional carriage used by the monarch on Coronation Day. The body is supported by cables from four Tritons, mythical beings having power to raise or calm the waves. The roof is supported by eight ornamental palms, four of which display the plunder of war. Paintings adorning the panels were painted by Cipriani, and include scenes of Neptune and attendants bringing the tribute of the world to Britannia, and of Mars and Minerva, gods of war, and Mercury, god of commerce.

l0 1/2p — St. Edward's Crown. The Coronation is the only occasion during the life of the sovereign when this crown of England is worn. Made for Charles II, the design is based on that used before the Civil War by kings back to Edward the Confessor. Its arches rise from a circlet of gold studded with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and pearls to indicate a hereditary and independent monarchy. At the intersection of the arches, where they support an orb and cross, they are depressed to symbolise that it is a royal, not an imperial crown.

11p — The Sovereign's Orb. The sphere, or cosmic egg, was like the snake, a fundamental neolithic symbol. Trans- formed by the Romans into a symbol of Jupiter's dominion over the universe, it passed to feudal Europe surmounted by the cross as the emblem of Crusade and Empire. Thus the Archbishop of Canterbury, on handing the Orb (also made for Charles II) to the monarch, says, "And when you see this Orb set under the Cross, remember that the whole world is subject to the Power and Empire of Christ our Redeemer."

13p — The Imperial State Crown. The need for a crown for state occasions arose early in England's history due to the great weight of the Crown of England, and the risk of loss involved in travel. This present crown was made for Queen Victoria, and is set with 3095 precious stones. The arches, rising to denote Empire, are composed of silver and diamond oak leaves and acorns.