2017 Isle of Man TT Races - Senior Trophy £5 Alpaca Coin in a Gift Pack - Commemorative

The Tower Mint, on behalf of the Isle of Man Government, has issued a new £5.00 TT coin. The coin celebrates the 110th Anniversary of the TT & features the famous Mercury trophy that embodies the history and importance of the event.

The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Festival is a series of motorcycle races held annually on the Isle of Man in June of each year, since the inaugural race of 1907. The Isle of Man TT for many years has been recognised as one of the world’s most prestigious motorcycle events and is also regarded as the ultimate test for competitors and machines alike, attracting competitors from around the globe.

This new 2017 Five Pound Coin has been struck in Alpaca metal and has a diameter of 32mm.

The obverse design depicts the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, design by Jody Clark. The inscription reads “QUEEN ELIZABETH II • ISLE OF MAN 2017”.

The reverse design depicts the Senior TT Trophy featuring Mercury, the Winged God of the Messengers from Roman mythology. The inscription reads “110 Years 1907 – 2017”.

The History of the Senior TT Trophy

The magnificent Senior TT Trophy embodies the history and importance of the event.

While the TT has changed – the circuit, the bikes, the rules, the status – the Senior Trophy remains a direct connection to that first historic running of the now legendary event.

Standing a staggering 108 centimetres tall and weighing in at 23.7 kilograms it is an awe-inspiring sight. The work of an Italian designer, the Senior TT Trophy was first presented in 1907, to Charlie Collier, and has been the reward for every TT hero who followed in his wheel-tracks to take the victor’s laurels at what is the blue riband TT event.

The trophy was donated to the Auto Cycle Club, now the Auto Cycle Union, by Joseph the Marquis de Mouzilly St Mars – whose name can still be seen on the award. He was President of the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme in 1905-1906.

The Senior Trophy was based on the Montague Trophy, awarded to the winner of the TT car races which pre-dated the motorcycle TT, and was handed to the rider of the winning single cylinder machine.

Mercury, the Winged God of the Messengers from Roman mythology, is represented in silver, standing atop a winged wheel, also crafted from silver. The effigy is mounted on a tiered plinth featuring engraved shields detailing the winner of every Senior race.