| Coin | Gold Five Ounces 2019 Una and the Lion |
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Like many other mints, the Royal Mint issues bullion coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The five ounces (5 oz) gold coins are denominated as either ten pounds (£10) or five hundred pounds (£500).
The coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation. They are targeted at bullion investors or collectors who appreciate the special editions as pieces of art. The coins are typically "one-year" types usually issued in parallel with smaller denominations with the same reverse designs.
This coin is a modern re-interpretation of one of the world’s most beautiful coins, the iconic Una and the Lion Five Pound piece by William Wyon, issued in 1839 for inclusion in the first specimen coin sets of Queen Victoria's reign.
The obverse of the original showed the young portrait of Queen Victoria, also by Royal Mint engraver William Wyon (1795 - 1851). The reverse draws its theme from Edmund Spenser’s epic poem entitled the Faerie Queene, first published in 1590 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and depicts the Queen as Una guiding the British lion. There is a powerful contrast between the restrained energy conveyed by the lion and the peace and grace of the standing figure of Una. The design is an unusual one for a British coin, being too medallic - but then, it was never intended for circulation.
The Royal Mint released this coin type on 25th November 2019 as the first gold and silver collector’s coins in a new collector series entitled the “Great Engravers", planned to highlight some of the Royal Mint’s great artisans who have made significant contributions to British coinage - many regarded as numismatic masterpieces.
The mintage of the gold five ounce coin was limited to 65. They are in Proof FDC grade only - with a soft proof finish to reflect that of the original. |
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| Obverse | |
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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 worn for her Coronation (her effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait").
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials J.C (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously around the effigy is the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS ·. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse shows the figure of Queen Victoria standing, robed and crowned, holding and orb in her left hand and directing a lion to left, with a sceptre extended in her right hand.
Around, the inscription DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS. (translated from Latin: May the Lord direct my steps).
In exergue, the date of issue in Latin numerals: MMXIX. (2019).
Around below, the artist's name W. WYON R.A. (R.A. is the post-nominal for Royal Academician, i.e. an academician of the Royal Academy of Arts in London). |
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| Reverse Inscription |
DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS. MMXIX. |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | The Royal Mint says:
"Working entirely by hand, in Una and the Lion William Wyon created one of the world’s most beautiful coins. Last struck by The Royal Mint during the 1880s, the coin has been carefully restored with the benefit of modern minting techniques. Precision detailing complements the artistry of the original. Created using the die Wyon himself used, remastered to remove historical blemishes, this modern interpretation breathes new life into this cherished design." |
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| See also |
The Una and the Lion design has been issued, re-issued and re-interpreted in the following formats:
- Five Pounds Gold 1839 Una and the Lion - the original issue
- 5 kg Gold, Una and the Lion, United Kingdom 2019
- 2 kg Gold, Una and the Lion, United Kingdom 2019
- 1 kg Gold, Una and the Lion, United Kingdom 2019
- 5 oz Gold, Una and the Lion, United Kingdom 2019
- 5 oz Gold, Una and the Lion, Saint Helena 2021
- Gold £20 (2.5 oz) Una and the Lion, Alderney 2019
- 2 oz Gold, Una and the Lion, United Kingdom 2019
- 2 oz Gold, Una and the Lion, Saint Helena 2021
- Five Sovereigns, Una and the Lion, Alderney 2019
- Five Pounds, Una and the Lion, Alderney 2019
- Five Sovereigns, Una and the Lion, Saint Helena 2019
- 1 oz Gold, Una and the Lion, Saint Helena 2021
- Double Sovereign, Una and the Lion, Alderney 2019
- Sovereign, Una and the Lion, Alderney 2019
- Half Sovereign, Una and the Lion, Alderney 2019
- Quarter Sovereign, Una and the Lion, Alderney 2019
- 2 kg Silver, Una and the Lion, United Kingdom 2019
- 1 kg Silver Proof, Una and the Lion, Alderney 2019
- 1 kg Silver, Una and the Lion, Saint Helena 2021
- 5 oz Silver, Una and the Lion, Saint Helena 2021
- 2 oz Silver, Una and the Lion, United Kingdom 2019
- 2 oz Silver, Una and the Lion, Saint Helena 2021
- 1 oz Silver, Una and the Lion, Saint Helena 2021
- 1 oz Gold Bar, Una and the Lion, United Kingdom, undated (released 2021)
- 100 oz Silver Bar, Una and the Lion, United Kingdom, undated (released 2021)
- 10 oz Silver Bar, Una and the Lion, United Kingdom, undated (released 2021)
- 1 oz Silver Bar, Una and the Lion, United Kingdom, undated (released 2021)
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