Five Pounds 2022 Royal Tudor Beasts - The Seymour Panther, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

At the time of decimalisation in 1971, the United Kingdom Crown coin (equal to 5 shillings) was redenominated as a 25p coin and pieces struck prior to 1990 - all the way back to 1818 - continue to be legal tender for that amount. The old denomination had been a regular circulating coin in the 19th century, but in the 20th century it became more of a commemorative denomination.

The Royal Mint continued issuing commemorative coins in the same format - using the traditional coin dimensions, but in copper-nickel. These were initially also denominated as 25 pence but the "Crown" was changed in 1990 to a commemorative £5 (five pound) coin, having the same dimensions and weight but with a face value twenty times as great.

The denomination is used to mark special occasions, usually royal in theme, rather than for use in general circulation. Although not circulating, these coins are legal tender.

This coin type is the first out of ten designs from the Royal Tudor Beasts Collection - coins depicting heraldic animals representing the Medieval Tudor dynasty which ruled England between 1485 and 1603.

Originally representing Anne Boleyn, and Katherine of Aragon before her, the Seymour Panther was given to Jane Seymour, the third wife of King Henry VIII, by the king from the royal treasury of beasts. Although the stone beast is depicted as a ferocious animal, with flames coming from its mouth and ears, the Seymour Panther symbolised a peaceful and loving union between the king and his consort who bore him the male heir he so desperately yearned for.