This superb 8" tall doll was issued as a limited edition of 990 in August 1978, and would have cost £38.00, (including VAT at just 8%!).  The doll has bisque porcelain head, arms, and legs, sewn onto a stuffed kid leather body.  The dress is made from a specially woven Jacquard material, to faithfully represent the actual dress worn by the Queen at the Coronation.  She wears the rich crimson velvet Parliamentary Robe of State, trimmed with fur and gold braid.  This stunning model is one of the finest ever produced by Peggy Nisbet, and remains highly sought after amongst collectors.

The decision to increase the issue quantity from 500 to 990 dolls, to offset the high production costs, and to make this stunning edition available to a greater number of collectors worldwide

Issued as phase II of the “Tower Treasures - Coronation Limited Edition”, this superbly detailed model was restricted to an issue of 500, costing £18.00 each in 1978. 

Shown on the seat of the chair are St Edward’s Crown, which is always used to crown the monarch, the Sceptre of Kingly Power and Justice, and the Rod of Equity and Mercy.   The Coronation Chair has been used at every Coronation since 1308.  Under the seat was housed, (until its return to Scotland in July 1996), the “Stone of Scone”, a red sandstone block steeped in legend and mystery.  Known by a number of different names, including the “Stone of Destiny”, it was used as the Coronation seat of the kings of Scotland, then England, and now Britain.  Legend has it that the stone is really the “Stone of Bethel”, which Jacob was using as a pillow, when he had his vision of a ladder reaching to heaven.  The stone will be temporarily returned to Westminster, and fitted into the Coronation Chair, the next time a Monarch is to be crowned.

The vestments were issued, together with the crown and sceptres (shown above with the Coronation Chair), as phase 3 of the Coronation set, and cost £25.00 in 1978

As the Coronation ceremony progressed, the Queen removed the crimson velvet Parliamentary Robe of State, and took the Oath.  

She was then dressed in the Colobium sindonis ("shroud tunic") - the first robe with which the Sovereign is invested. It is a loose white undergarment of fine linen cloth edged with a lace border, open at the sides, usually sleeveless, and cut low at the neck. It symbolises the derivation of Royal authority from the people

The Dalmatic or Supertunica  is the second robe with which the Sovereign is invested. It is a long coat of gold silk which reaches to the ankles and has wide-flowing sleeves. It is lined with rose-coloured silk, trimmed with gold lace, woven with national symbols and fastened by a sword belt. It is said to derive from the full dress uniform of a consul of the Byzantine Empire

The Pallium Regale, or Imperial Mantle is the main robe worn during the ceremony and used during the Crowning. It is a four-square mantle, lined in crimson silk and decorated with silver coronets, national symbols and silver imperial eagles in the four corners.