Timothy Noad

Timothy Martin Noad MBE (born 1966) is a British calligrapher, heraldic artist and designer of coins and medals. He created designs for Charles III, including the Royal Cypher, many official versions of the Royal Arms.^[1] and the Stole Royal^[2] worn at the Coronation.

Timothy Martin Noad
Born	1966 (age 58–59) Ickenham, Middlesex, England
Alma mater	Bishop Ramsey School East Surrey College Birkbeck College Courtauld Institute of Art
Occupation(s)	Calligrapher Heraldic Artist Coin and Medal Designer

Since 1986 Noad has been working at the College of Arms as a freelance heraldic artist and calligrapher, "Herald Painter and Scrivener" . The majority of Noad's work is carried out in traditional techniques using gouache and gold on vellum. He has created Letters patent granting arms - clients and recipients have included: Elizabeth II, Charles III, members of foreign royal families and major corporations and institutions including City of London livery companies. In July 2025 Letters patent were presented to the Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs at a ceremony at the Mansion House in the City of London.^[3]

“His exacting aesthetic standards and exquisite artwork, underpinned by great knowledge and intellectual curiosity ensures he is the doyen of heraldic painters.” Garter Principal King of Arms, David Vines White said regarding his MBE award.^[4]

In his role as Scribe and Illuminator to the Crown Office at the House of Lords Noad has undertaken work on illuminated documents under the Great Seal for presentation to life peers, appointments to the Supreme Court and grants of city status.^{[citation needed]}

In 2022 the last illuminated Letters patent issued by Elizabeth II in celebration of her Platinum Jubilee awarded Lord Mayoralty to the City of Southampton.^{[5][better source needed]} In 2011 Noad created the Instrument of Consent, signed by Elizabeth II, on the marriage of Prince William to Catherine Middleton.

Charles III signed his name for the first time as ‘Charles R’ on the Accession Documents (the oath to ‘maintain and preserve’ the Church of Scotland) created by Noad at the Accession Council on 10 September 2022.^[6]

He has also designed over thirty enamelled copper stall-plates, mainly for the Royal Victorian Order in the Savoy Chapel.^{[citation needed]}

Royal Mint coins and medals

Noad has designed coins and medals commissioned and selected in competitions by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee on the Design of Coins, Medals and Seals.^[7]

Noad designed the reverse of three gold sovereign coins:^[8] 2002 Golden Jubilee, 2005 St George and the Dragon (the first time this theme had been varied since Pistrucci’s Georgian design) and 2022 Platinum Jubilee.

Noad also designed the 2013-14 Floral Series of four one pound coins,^[9] and 2015 Royal Arms one pound coin.^{[citation needed]}

Noad has designed commemorative coins (now known as "five pound coins", but pre-decimalisation known as crowns), including in 2018 "Four Generations of the Royal House of Windsor", in 2021 "Ninety-fifth Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II" and in 2023 the Coronation Crown Coin of HM King Charles III^[10]

Awards and appointments

In 2025 Noad was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the King’s 2025 Birthday Honours List, for Services to Calligraphy, Heraldry and Design^[11][12]

In 2004 he was appointed Scribe and illuminator to HM Crown Office at the House of Lords and in 2010 Noad was granted the Freedom of the City of London.^{[citation needed]}

Noad is a Fellow of the Society of Scribes & Illuminators,^[13] an Honoured Fellow of the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society^[14] and a Full Member of Letter Exchange.^[15]