This week, citizens of the United Kingdom, those in once colonies of the former British empire, and people around the world are mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd. 


Passing away at age 95, her reign of 70 years and 214 days was the longest of any British monarch and the second-longest recorded ruling of any monarch of a sovereign country in world history.


It was common to see Queen Elizabeth's resemblance to many popular modern bullion gold, silver, and precious metals coins struck by the Royal Mint (Silver Britannias), Australia's Perth Mint (Silver Kangaroos), the Royal Canadian Mint (Silver Maple Leafs), and others.


The former British empire's dominant reserve currency status gave way to the current US dollar following World War 1 and especially after World War 2, respectively, as Queen Elizabeth II began her reign in 1952.