Silver Ounce 2023 Faerie Queene - Una and Redcrosse, Coin from Saint Helena - detailed information

Saint Helena is a small island in the South Atlantic Ocean which is part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The currency of the island is the Saint Helena pound, fixed at parity with the pound sterling. The island has authorised some private mints to issue coins under its jurisdiction, which come in a variety of sizes - including in the popular silver ounce (1 oz silver) format, usually denominated as £1.

This design is the first in The Faerie Queene collection of coins; it is a re-issue in Brilliant Uncirculated grade of the proof ounce issued in 2022.

The Mint says about it:
The Faerie Queene series of precious metal coins is inspired by Edmund Spenser’s epic medieval poem. Taking inspiration from Edmund Spenser’s epic 16th Century poem, the series features knights, princesses, mythical beasts and magical villains, their stories brought to life in a collection of illustrative designs by one of the world’s most celebrated coin artists, Joel Iskowitz.

This first design starts at the beginning. Book One tells the story of The Redcrosse Knight and the quest he is given by The Faerie Queene on behalf of the lady Una; to rescue her parents from the captivity of an evil dragon.

First published in 1590, Edmund Spenser’s epic poem The Faerie Queene is a classic work of medieval English literature. At over 36,000 lines long, its six books contain one of the longest poems in the English language, believed to be an allegory for the life of Queen Elizabeth I. The story begins with a beautiful princess called Una arriving at the court of Queen Gloriana. Una is carrying a suit of armour upon which is painted a red cross, and is seeking the help of a brave knight to rescue her parents from a wicked dragon. A young peasant boy, keen to prove his worth, volunteers for the task. Una tells the boy that he can try on the armour she carries and, if it fits, she will grant him his wish. Sure enough, it fits him as if it were tailor made. Because of the armour’s distinctive design, Queen Gloriana dubs him "The Redcrosse Knight" and Spenser’s epic story begins.

Redcrosse and Una set off to face the dragon, a legendary moment captured in elegant detail on this first coin in our new series.