The coin shows King John signing the document - which was issued by him in 1215 and stated that everyone had the right to a fair trial and that nobody, including royalty¹, were above the law - with a quill² but according to Dr Marc Morris that notion is absurd as the monarch³ would have used a royal seal...and probably would have got one of his minions⁴ to do it.

 

In fact the Middle Ages expert was so incensed⁵ with the historical foolery he even went so far as to reconstruct the momentous⁶ occasion using Playmobil figures.

 

He posted the image on Twitter, stating: "A far more accurate depiction⁸ of what went on at Runnymede than that produced by the Royal Mint."

 

Dr Morris, a fellow of the Royal Historical Society, said: "To depict⁷ King John holding a quill is simply a schoolboy error.

 

"Medieval kings did not authenticate⁹ documents by signing them, they did it by sealing them - or rather by getting one of their officials to do it for them.

 

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

 

But Royal Mint bosses have defended the image, which was created by artist John Bergdahl, saying it is "symbolic¹⁰" and not "literal".

 

Mr Bergdahl, speaking about his design for the coin, added: "I wanted to include the figures who would have been key players in the formation of the Magna Carta at Runnymede [the place in Windsor where the Magna Cara was signed].

 

"I was influenced by the art of the medieval period, which was quite uncomplicated and crude, and the ornate cornice and rose carvings¹¹ echo the architecture of the era reflecting the time the Magna Carta was created.

 

"The inscription¹² uses medieval-style font that surrounds the design as the inscription on King John's royal seal did in the middle ages.

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