| Coin | Gold Five Ounces 2021 Gothic Crown |
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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 part of the third release of gold and silver coins in the collector series entitled the “Great Engravers", issued to highlight some of the Royal Mint’s great artisans who have made significant contributions to British coinage - many regarded as numismatic masterpieces. The first issue featured Una and the Lion, and the second The Three Graces.
The Gothic Crown was the career masterpiece of William Wyon RA. First issued in 1847, it was so popular that most Victorian numismatists collected them straight from the Bank of England as soon as they were issued. Featuring the reverse design created for the Gothic Crown, the coin displays a quartered shield design that has a long tradition in British numismatics. Inspired in part by the Scottish artist William Dyce RA, the design represents a stylistic departure for Wyon and is indicative of the wider artistic movement known as the Gothic Revival, which was highly fashionable at the time. |
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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, followed by the date of issue and the face value: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 500 POUNDS · 2021 ·. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English and the year.
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| Reverse | |
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Within a decorated border, the reverse design represents the three nations brought together by the Act of Union in 1801 and depicts a crowned cruciform (in a cross pattern) shields bearing the three lions passant of England (twice, in positions 1 and 3), the lion rampant of Scotland (2), and the harp of Ireland (4). The shields are contained within a deeply tressured circular panel. In the angles are two roses, a shamrock and a thistle - the national plants of England, Scotland and Ireland respectively. In the centre there is a four-leafed flower.
At centre, a small flag of the Union (commonly known as The Union Jack), surrounded by the Order of the Garter inscribed with its motto HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE (translated from Old French: May he be shamed who thinks badly of it).
Around above, interrupted by St Edward's crown on top of the English shield, the inscription tueatur unita deus - May God guard these United (Kingdoms). Around below, also interrupted by the crown, the date of issue in Latin: anno dom mmxxi - abbreviated from Anno domini MMXXI - Year of Our Lord 2021. As on the obverse, all the lettering is in ornate Gothic style. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
tueatur unita deus anno dom mmxxi |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: proof.
Packaging: boxed, with numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Date of issue: 6 December 2021. |
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| See also |
The Gothic Crown design has been issued and re-issued in the following formats (ordered by metal / size / country):
- Gothic Crown 1847 (the original edition)
- Gothic Crown 1853 (proof only re-issue)
- 10 kg Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, United Kingdom 2021
- 5 kg Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, United Kingdom 2021
- 2 kg Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, United Kingdom 2021
- 1 kg Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, Alderney 2021
- 1 kg Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, United Kingdom 2021
- 10 oz Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, United Kingdom 2021
- 5 oz Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, Alderney 2021
- 5 oz Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, St Helena 2022
- 5 oz Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, United Kingdom 2021
- 2 oz Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, Alderney 2021
- 2 oz Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, St Helena 2022
- 2 oz Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, United Kingdom 2021
- Five Sovereigns Gothic Crown, Alderney 2021
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, Alderney 2021
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, St Helena 2022
- Double Sovereign Gothic Crown, Alderney 2021
- Double Sovereign Gothic Crown, Saint Helena 2019
- Quarter Sovereign Gothic Crown, Alderney 2021
- 0.5 g Gold Proof, Gothic Crown, Alderney 2021
- 2 kg Silver Proof, Gothic Crown, United Kingdom 2021
- 1 kg Silver Proof, Gothic Crown, Alderney 2021
- 1 kg Silver Proof, Gothic Crown, St Helena 2022
- 1 kg Silver Proof, Gothic Crown, United Kingdom 2021
- 10 oz Silver Proof, Gothic Crown, Alderney 2021
- 10 oz Silver Proof, Gothic Crown, United Kingdom 2021
- 5 oz Silver Proof, Gothic Crown, St Helena 2022
- 5 oz Silver Proof, Gothic Crown, United Kingdom 2021
- 2 oz Silver Proof, Gothic Crown, Alderney 2021
- 2 oz Silver Proof, Gothic Crown, St Helena 2022
- 2 oz Silver Proof, Gothic Crown, United Kingdom 2021
- 1 oz Silver Proof, Gothic Crown, Alderney 2021
- 1 oz Silver Proof, Gothic Crown, St Helena 2022
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