| Coin | Gold Quarter Ounce 2017 Lion of England, Proof |
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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 quarter ounce (1/4 oz) gold coins are denominated as Twenty-five Pounds (£25).
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 other denominations with the same reverse designs.
This coin type is the first from a series of ten coin designs known as the Queen's Beasts.
The Queen's Beasts are British coins issued by the Royal Mint in platinum, gold, and silver since 2016. Each of the coins in the series features a stylised version of one of the heraldic Queen's Beasts statues present at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II representing her royal line of ancestry. It was announced that engraver Jody Clark will design the entire series; he is best known for also designing the Queen's Fifth definitive portrait, which is on the obverse of the coins.
The Queen's Beasts heraldic statues representing the genealogy of Queen Elizabeth II stood in front of the temporary western annexe to Westminster Abbey for the Queen's coronation in 1953. Each of The Queen's Beasts consists of an heraldic beast supporting a shield bearing a badge or arms of a family associated with the ancestry of Queen Elizabeth II. They were commissioned by the British Ministry of Works from sculptor James Woodford. The statues were uncoloured except for their shields at the coronation. They are now on display in the Canadian Museum of History. There are other statues of the Queen's Beasts, sometimes referred to as the King's Beasts, at Hampton Court Palace and Kew Gardens in London, and on the roof of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
The Lion of England is the crowned golden lion of England, which has been one of the supporters of the Royal Arms since the reign of King Edward IV (1461 - 1483). It supports a shield showing the Arms of the United Kingdom as they have been since Queen Victoria's accession in 1837. In the first and last quarters of the shield are the lions of England, taken from the arms of Richard I "The Lionheart" (1157- 1199). The lion and tressure (armorial border) of Scotland appear in the second, and the harp of Ireland is in the third. |
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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 · 25 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 features the crowned Lion of England standing on its hind legs, ready to defend the kingdom. It holds the Royal Shield of Arms of the United Kingdom.
Around below, the inscription LION OF ENGLAND. Around above, interrupted by the crown, the date · 2017 ·.
The artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark) are in the lower left field next to the shield. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
LION OF ENGLAND · 2017 · |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | From the Royal Mint web page about the coin:
"When Her Majesty The Queen was crowned in 1953, a striking line-up of statues acted as a reminder of the centuries of tradition that went before her. The Queen’s Beasts were carved for her coronation more than 60 years ago and now these creatures have been brought to life once again, for a new collection that will celebrate each of these symbolic guardians in turn.
Both the coin’s obverse and reverse were created by Royal Mint coin designer Jody Clark. His interpretation pays tribute to the statuesque form of the coronation sculptures but brings a dynamic feel to the lion with its fierce ‘rampant’ stance. This coin is an example of The Royal Mint’s craftsmanship, with every detail of the design captured by our Proof finish on this, the smallest coin in the range. This edition is struck in a quarter-ounce of 999.9 fine gold and comes with a booklet produced in association with Clive Cheesman, Richmond Herald at the College of Arms."
The gold quarter-ounce proof coin was issued in a mahogany presentation box, Royal Mint Product Code: UK17QBQO, issue price: £530.00, with issue limit boxed of 2,500 and maximum coin mintage also 2,500, in Proof FDC grade only. It was re-issued in 2021 as part of a ten-coin set wrapping up the collection. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Queen's Beasts series featuring the Lion of England include:
- 1 oz Platinum Bullion, Lion of England, 2017
- 1 kg Gold Proof, Lion of England, 2017
- 5 oz Gold Proof, Lion of England, 2017
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Lion of England, 2017
- 1 oz Gold Bullion, Lion of England, 2016
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof, Lion of England, 2017
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof, Lion of England, 2021
- 1/4 oz Gold Bullion, Lion of England, 2016
- 1 kg Silver Proof, Lion of England, 2017
- 10 oz Silver Proof, Lion of England, 2017
- 10 oz Silver Bullion, Lion of England, 2017
- 5 oz Silver Proof, Lion of England, 2017
- 2 oz Silver Proof, Lion of England, 2021
- 2 oz Silver Bullion, Lion of England, 2016
- 1 oz Silver Proof, Lion of England, 2017
- 1/4 oz Silver Proof, Lion of England, 2021
- £5 Copper-Nickel Brilliant Uncirculated, Lion of England, 2017
- £5 Copper-Nickel Brilliant Uncirculated, Lion of England, 2018
- £5 Copper-Nickel Brilliant Uncirculated, Lion of England, 2019
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