In 1991 the Royal Mint celebrated the 500th anniversary of the birth of King Henry VIII, born at Greenwich Palace on the 28th of June 1491.

Greenwich Palace was demolished to make way for Greenwich Hospital, The site, and buildings, are now occupied by The University of Greenwich.

The Royal Mint engraver Jane McAdam executed this portrait of Henry VIII. The Royal Mint changed to an oxidised silver finish for the silver medal. The oxidised finish makes the medals much easier to view, and also much easier to photograph!