Gold Five Ounces 2020 The Three Graces, Coin from Alderney - detailed information

Alderney is one of the Channel Islands (situated in the Channel between England and France), and is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey - a British Crown dependency. As such, it is not a sovereign country, but has operated as a quasi-sovereign entity since the Middle Ages. The island has issued commemorative coins since 1989, denominated in the Alderney Pound - which is a variant of the Pound Sterling and is legal tender on the islands, but not in the United Kingdom.

Apart from the British Royal Mint, the island has also authorised some private mints to issue coins under its jurisdiction, which come in a variety of sizes - including in the very large gold five ounces (5 oz gold) format, usually denominated as £500.

This coin (which is denominated as £25) is a modern re-issue of the reverse design of The Three Graces pattern crown. Created by the renowned engraver William Wyon early in his decorated career with the Royal Mint, the original coin was a pattern made in 1817 for a Crown denomination produced late in the reign of King George III; it was never circulated but has earned a reputation for its attractive and symbolic reverse. The art world that Wyon was establishing himself in was dominated by neoclassicism. Its proponents were influenced by stories of Ancient Greece and Rome and the simple, symmetrical style they saw in artefacts, engravings and on their Grand Tours of Europe.

William Wyon is undoubtedly one of history’s greatest coin designers. Born in England in 1795, his father was an engraver of medals and coins, his uncle a die engraver, and his cousin Thomas was Chief Engraver of The Royal Mint from 1815 until his untimely death in 1817. So it was perhaps inevitable that young William would pursue a career in the coin industry too. As a 22-year-old Assistant Engraver he created his neoclassical masterpiece: The Three Graces. While it never went into production, around 50 test "Pattern Pieces" were produced which became collectors’ items as Wyon’s reputation grew. His "Young Head" portrait of Queen Victoria graced the coins of her reign for nearly 50 years, while his "Una and The Lion" remains a favourite of collectors to this day.