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 silver two ounces (2 oz silver) format, usually denominated as £2.
The Mint says about this coin:
The legend of Una & the Lion dates back to the 16th Century and Edmund Spencer’s epic poem The Faerie Queene, 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, each book telling stories of different knights on their various quests to prove or demonstrate their particular virtues. As a whole, it is believed to be an allegory of the life and achievements of Queen Elizabeth I, but it is in Book One where we meet the heroic figure of Una. Una is a beautiful princess on a quest to save her mother and father from a cruel dragon who has imprisoned them in a tower. To help her defeat the dragon, she searches for the Redcrosse knight, whose destiny is to become St. George, the patron saint of England. While on her journey Una enters a dark secluded wood, where she encounters a fierce lion who launches an attack on her. However, before he is able to leap upon his prey his initial rage is replaced by wonder, his anger subdued as he is instantly captivated by Una’s beauty and innocence. Instead of tearing her to pieces, he kisses her weary feet and licks her hands. He becomes her strong guard and faithful companion, forever by her side, filling her with courage and protecting her from harm.
The 2022 Una & the Lion has been created by designer Glyn Davies. His elegant, determined Una and the powerful but poised lion sit facing each other, staring deeply into each others eyes as they ponder their next move, seeming to communicate their thoughts, hopes and fears through their held gaze. His modern retelling of this ancient bond captures all the grace, courage and trust of the original story of this brave princess and the mighty beast at her side. |
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The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown and the Victoria Coronation necklace worn for her Coronation. This is her effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait" worldwide and "Sixth Portrait" in Australia, in "uncouped" version - showing the Queen's shoulders and not terminating at the neck as the normal version.
On the left, in small letters on the Queen's shoulder, the artist's initials J.C (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously around the rim is the monarch's legend and the face value: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REGINA · F · D · ST. HELENA · 2 POUNDS ·. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, Saint Helena.
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