Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a new 5-pound commemorative coin celebrating the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi to mark Diwali on Thursday.  

“As we approach Diwali celebrations, we are delighted to unveil the first official UK coin commemorating the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. The beautiful design builds on the enduring relationship and cultural connections between the UK and India,” said Nicola Howell, Chief Customer Officer for the Royal Mint.

The coin is available in a range of standards, including gold and silver. It is designed by Heena Glover and it features an image of a lotus, India's national flower, alongside one of Gandhi's most famous quotes ‘My life is my message’.

“This coin is a fitting tribute to an influential leader who inspired millions of people around the world,” said the Master of the Mint in the UK, Sunak.

“As practicing Hindu, I am proud to unveil this coin during Diwali. Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the movement for Indian independence and it is fantastic to have a UK coin commemorating his remarkable life for the first time,” said Sunak.

The 5-pound coin, which goes on sale on the UK Royal Mint's website is part of Royal Mint's Diwali collection, which includes 1-gram and 5-gram gold bars in henna-style packaging, and the UK's first gold bar depicting Lakshmi the Hindu goddess of wealth.

The 20-gram gold Lakshmi bar was designed in partnership with the Hindu community in South Wales.

The Mint officials will also join Diwali celebrations at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Cardiff, where worshippers will offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and lord Ganesha for the coming year.

Last year, Sunak commissioned the new Diversity Built Britain 50p coin. Around 10 million of the coins, which recognise and celebrate Britain's diverse history, went into circulation in October 2020. However, the new Gandhi coin is a non-circulating commemorative item, available to buy online from the Royal Mint.

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