The design of a commemorative coin depicting King John at Runnymede Meadows holding a quill has been labelled a "schoolboy error" by amedieval historian.

The 800th Anniversary of Magna Carta 2015 UK £2 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin, by The Royal Mint, has been designed by an experienced coinageartist, John Bergdahl, and is struck with the king flanked by a bishop and a baron.

But historian Marc Morris has said the scene is historically wrong and has published a more accurate version of the event using Playmobilfigures.

"To depict King John holding a quill is simply a schoolboy error," said Marc Morris, author of King John: Treachery, Tyranny and the Road toMagna Carta.

"Medieval kings did not authenticate documents by signing them, they did it by sealing them - or rather by getting one of their officials to do itfor them.

"All the pen in John's hand symbolises is ignorance of this basic fact."

The Royal Mint has a long tradition of marking significant moments in history and has been making currency for the Kings and Queens of the countryfor over 1,100 years.

A spokesman defended the piece, claiming it was symbolic rather than factual.

They said: "The design is symbolic of King John's acceptance of the Magna Carta, it is not intended to be interpreted as a literal account of whatactually occurred.

"The design is in fact inspired by King John's royal seal, the very seal used on the Magna Carta."

"I wanted to include the figures who would have been key players in the formation of the Magna Carta at Runnymede," said the artist.

"I was influenced by the art of the medieval period, which was quite uncomplicated and crude, and the ornate cornice and rose carvings echo thearchitecture of the era reflecting the time the Magna Carta was created.

"The inscription uses medieval-style font that surrounds the design as the inscription on King John's royal seal did in the middle ages."

To read the complete article, see:
Magna Carta commemorative coin labelledhistorically wrong by medieval historian (www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/magna-carta-commemorative-coin-labelled-8423772)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
THE ROYAL MINT'S MAGNA CARTA COIN (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v18n01a20.html)