| Coin | Gold Quarter Ounce 2021 Unicorn of Scotland, 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 second 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 stylized 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 Unicorn of Scotland comes from the Royal Arms of Scotland. From the end of the 16th century, two unicorns were adopted as the supporters of the Scottish Royal Arms. In 1603, the crown of England passed to King James VI of Scotland, who then became King James I of England. He took as supporters of his Royal Arms a crowned lion of England and one of his Scottish unicorns. The unicorn holds a shield showing the Royal Arms of Scotland, a lion ramping in a royal tressure, adorned with fleur-de-lis.
The Unicorn of Scotland quarter-ounce gold proof coin was initially issued in 2017; in 2021, it was re-issued for a ten-coin set wrapping up the Queen's Beasts collection. |
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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 Unicorn of Scotland standing on its hind legs, holding the Shield of the Royal Arms of Scotland, chained with a coronet around its neck like a collar. According to legend, the unicorn is a very dangerous beast, for which reason on its heraldic representation it is chained. It is thought that the chain was to show a great beast had been tamed to serve the king. As with most chained beasts in heraldry, its strength is emphasised rather than diminished by its shackles.
Around below, the inscription UNICORN OF SCOTLAND. Around above, interrupted by the unicorn's head, the date · 2021 ·.
The artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark) are in the lower left field next to the shield. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
UNICORN OF SCOTLAND · 2021 · |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: Proof FDC, reverse frosted (with polished designs and frosted surfaces).
Packaging and distribution: in mint set only. |
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| Included in Set |
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The Queen’s Beasts 2021 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof Ten-Coin Set, mintage 229, limited to 250
10 coins: Lion of England, Unicorn of Scotland, Red Dragon of Wales, Black Bull of Clarence, Falcon of the Plantagenets, Yale of Beaufort, White Lion of Mortimer, White Horse of Hanover, White Greyhound of Richmond, Griffin of Edward III
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| See also |
Coins in the Queen's Beasts series featuring the Unicorn of Scotland include:
- 1 oz Platinum Bullion, Unicorn of Scotland, 2019
- 1 kg Gold Proof, Unicorn of Scotland, 2017
- 5 oz Gold Proof, Unicorn of Scotland, 2017
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Unicorn of Scotland, 2017
- 1 oz Gold Bullion, Unicorn of Scotland, 2018
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof, Unicorn of Scotland, 2017
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof, Unicorn of Scotland, 2021
- 1/4 oz Gold Bullion, Unicorn of Scotland, 2018
- 1 kg Silver Proof, Unicorn of Scotland, 2017
- 10 oz Silver Proof, Unicorn of Scotland, 2017
- 10 oz Silver Bullion, Unicorn of Scotland, 2019
- 5 oz Silver Proof, Unicorn of Scotland, 2017
- 2 oz Silver Proof, Unicorn of Scotland, 2021
- 2 oz Silver Bullion, Unicorn of Scotland, 2018
- 1 oz Silver Proof, Unicorn of Scotland, 2017
- 1/4 oz Silver Proof, Unicorn of Scotland, 2021
- £5 Copper-Nickel Brilliant Uncirculated, Unicorn of Scotland, 2017
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