Coin Spotlight: Isle of Man Nobles

Isle of Man Nobles
by: Ben Tseytlin - on Coins & Currency

The Isle of Man is an island that is located between Great Britain and Ireland, in the Irish Sea. As a British Crown dependency, the island also officially recognizes their sovereign to be Queen Elizabeth II. Although the Isle of Man is a British dependency, it is globally renowned for producing its own coins and stamps, which includes Isle of Man Nobles platinum coins.

Origins of Isle of Man Nobles Platinum Coins

The Isle of Man Platinum Noble is considered to be the world’s first platinum coin. It was produced in 1983 by the Pobjoy Mint. The mint was a private British mint that was established by the Pobjoy family. However, the mint only had a six-year run as production ended in 1989. The platinum coins are sometimes referred to as Manx, which was the language used by the population of the Isle of Man. Next, the coins are minted in ten weight denominations. However, only five of them were issued in significant numbers. These coins were in the denominations of: 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, ¼ oz, ½ oz, and 1 oz.

Manx Platinum Noble coins got their inspiration from coins that were used in England during medieval times. Let’s take a look back at the reign of Richard II. In those days, a gold noble was the most valuable coin in England. A historical coin like this was worth six shillings and eight pence. The design of the coin featured a king standing in a ship, and it can be seen on the Isle of Man Noble coins too.

Key Features

  • Obverse side: Has a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. “ELIZABETH II” and “ISLE OF MAN” can be seen on the right and left of her profile respectively. These wordings are separated by four triskelia.
  • Reverse side: Displays a Viking longboat. The legendary longboat sails across the seas with a full sail. “ONE NOBLE” and “1 OZ PLATINUM FINE” are displayed below the waves from the ship.
  • Isle of Man Noble coins are eligible for precious metals IRAs.
  • Individual platinum coins come in protective packaging. Depends on the availability of plastic tubes.
  • Comprises of approximately 1 oz of .9995 fine platinum.

Legal Tender

Although the Platinum Noble is an unusual currency, it is still legal tender on the Isle of Man. Moreover, the coins are produced based on the standards of the Royal Mint. However, Manx pounds and pence are the actual currency used in circulation in the British Crown dependency. They are equivalent to British pounds and pence. You should keep in mind that Manx Platinum Noble coins feature the face value of one noble. Next, their worth is in most cases measured by their collectable value and precious metal content.

Coin Demand

Thanks to the platinum content of Isle of Man Nobles, they are sought after in the numismatic world. Other factors that add to their demand include the coins’ unique design and low population. This does not come as a surprise because the Pobjoy Mint is renowned for its distinctive and innovative coins. Their coins have won multiple awards over several decades. As platinum is scarcer than silver and gold, Isle of Man Nobles are designed for investment purposes. These coins are being used by investors as an option to diversify their portfolio and guard their assets from inflation and market fluctuations.