Are you already a coin collector or want to start a collection? This could be the Lot for you. 12 one shilling coins which all predate Queen Elizabeth II. There's one with Queen Victoria from 1893 and others from various years up to 1950.

Far from being a passive dresser, The Queen pays close attention to what she wears and what those clothes convey. She has left a lasting impression on the fashion industry, believes Justine Picardie.

In November 1952, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom arrived at the London Palladium with the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Margaret for the first Royal Variety Performance of her reign. For the occasion,

The 19th-century plaster cast of Michelangelo's David will form one of the centrepieces of the refurbished Italian Cast Court at the Victoria and Albert Museum when it's reopened later this month.

Did you know that the Queen had two birthdays - her actual birthday (21st April) and an official one, on which the country celebrated? It was a great excuse for a celebration and to recognise the achievements of this country's longest serving and well-loved monarch. We've pulled in every resource that we think might help you celebrate the Queen's life - the Royal palaces, Westminster Abbey (where she was crowned), the Queen's Guard, the National Anthem, and of course her favourite pets! But don't stop there. Scroll down further and we've linked in many other activities from Activity Village that you can use and enjoy, and of course you can explore her growing family in our British Royal Family section.

1933 Scott 154 1p brown & black "Slave Throwing Off Shackles" (Cline Town, now part of Freetown, was formerly known as Granville Town) Quick History Sierra Leone ("Lioness Mountains"- Portuguese/Spanish) is located on the tropical West African coast between French Guinea (now Guinea) and Liberia. West Africa up to 1914 Sierra Leone (British Territory): Dark Pink-1880; Light Pink- 1914 Under British protection, freed African-American slaves were transported to Sierra Leone in 1787 after the American Revolutionary War, and founded Granville Town. Ironically, but not surprising, the settlement was opposed by the indigenous Temne and Mende peoples. Freetown was founded on March 11, 1792 with the settlement of 1,200 Black Loyalists, who came via Nova Scotia. Beginning in 1808, following the British Empire's abolition of the slave trade in 1807, thousands of liberated people from confiscated slave ships were brought to Freetown. The Sierra Leone Company, formed by abolitionists, then turned the territory over to the African Institution in 1807 (recognized by the British Crown). The returning freed Blacks, adopting the southern U.S. (western) habits in culture and dress, and mostly Christian (Methodist), formed the Krio (Creole) people, with Krio as the trading language. They were the Black ruling and educational elite. Naturally, conflict eventually developed with the native peoples of the interior, who were mostly Muslim. Today, the Krio people comprise about 4% of the population. English is still today the official language, but Krio is the trading language for all ethnic groups. 1933 Scott 155 1 1/2p orange brown "Map of Sierra Leone" In 1896, the British expanded into the interior, and declared the additional territory a British Protectorate. Conflict with the native peoples (Temne-Mende) escalated, leading to the Hut Tax war of 1898. In 1924, Sierra Leone was administratively separated into a Colony (coastal area and Freetown), and a Protectorate (the interior, dominated by ethnic tribes and chiefs). Freetown was and is the capital, and the population was 1,800,000 in 1940. U.N. Map of Sierra Leone In 1951, a new constitution was developed, and the Colony and Protectorate merged, under the brilliant leadership of Sir Milton Margai, an ethnic Mende. Sierra Leone gained independence on April 27, 1961, and remains a member of the British Commonwealth. The 1991-2002 Civil War left 50,000 dead, 2 million refugees, and the infrastructure in ruins. Today, Sierra Leone is both rich in resources (diamonds, third largest natural harbor in the world), and poor (70% are below the poverty line, Ebola outbreak, WHO Life Expectancy-age 46- last (194) among all nations). 1891 Scott 27 2 1/2p ultramarine "Queen Victoria" Into the Deep Blue The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Sierra Leone 1859-1949, 194 major descriptive numbers. Of those, 51 are CV

Find out why the Melbourne Queen Victoria Market is one of the best city attractions! Use our tips for QVM special events, too!