The large acrylic block from which the sculpture is carved was originally commissioned by Kubrick to be the monolith for the film 2001 Space Odyssey. It was produced by Stanley Plastics in the mid-1960's. The block was not used in the final filming. Fleischmann obtained the block from MGM when they closed the Boreham Wood studios. The block was kept in storage by Talbot Designs until Fleischmann received the commission to make the crystal crown for the Queen's Silver Jubilee Celebrations in 1977.

In 2000 the Crystal crown was re-sited on the north elevation of the Thistle Hotel. A plaque to commemorate the re-siting was unveiled by Joy Fleischmann that year.

The Crystal Crown can be seen displayed in public at St Katharine's Dock on the wall of the Tower Thistle Hotel opposite the Coronarium.