Prince George will celebrate his second birthday on July 22 and as a tribute to the little prince, Royal Mint will release a limited edition commemorative £5 coin. The sterling silver coin features the legend of St. George and the dragon on one side, and a portrait of George's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, on the other.
The Royal Mint is bringing out only 7,500 pieces of the limited edition coin. It has a value of £80. The little royal's commemorative coin tells the classic tales of the patron saint of England, Daily Mail reported.
St. George protected himself with the sign of the cross to slay a dragon and rescue a princess, according to the Golden Legend (circa 1275). Prince George's parents, prince William and Kate Middleton as well as his grandmother, Elizabeth gave their approval to the design apart from Chancellor George Osborne.
"The choice of the St George design to honor Prince George's birthday is an apt one - the name George has long had links with the British monarchy and its coinage," said Shane Bissett, director of commemorative coin and bullion at the Royal Mint. He informed that there have been six kings of the same name during the Royal Mint's 1,000 year history.
Bissett added that the choice of a silver £5 coin has its own significance. The tradition of crossing the palm of a new born baby with silver is a way to wish them wealth and good health throughout their life, he said.
The Royal Mint earlier introduced a special commemorative coin featuring two harp-playing cherubs for his sister, Princess Charlotte's christening. They released a coin on George's first birthday and another one for his christening in 2013, People reported. Besides, they made four coins to mark the birth of his baby sister.