Coin | Gold Quarter Ounce 2022 The Lion of England, Bullion |
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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 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.
The Lion of England is the first of the ten heraldic creatures that stand guard over the moat outside Hampton Court Palace in the form of fearsome statues. Embodying the strength of the Tudor dynasty, they symbolise the ancestry of King Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour. The tradition of mythical beasts representing the values and traits of a kingdom began centuries earlier, when heraldic creatures appeared on flags and banners on the battlefield to unite and direct armies and strike fear into the enemy.
The reverse design by David Lawrence displays the Lion of England in an intimidating pose, inspired by the Moat Bridge Royal Beasts of Hampton Court Palace. |
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Obverse | |
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.
The obverse has a textured background ("guilloche" geometric pattern). |
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Reverse | |
The reverse of the coin show at its centre the roaring Lion of England, sitting erect with its head turned to the right. The lion is crowned and holds a shield displaying the combined arms of King Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, symbolising the strength of the couple’s union.
The designer's signature DL (for David Lawrence) is in small handwritten letters in the right field, behind the lion's tail. The background is patterned with micro dots, called "surface animation" by the mint.
Around the rim, the inscription LION OF ENGLAND on the left, and 1/4 oz · FINE GOLD · 999.9 (one quarter of a troy ounce of 99.99% gold) on the right.
Around below, the date · 2022 ·. |
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Reverse Inscription |
LION OF ENGLAND 1/4 oz · FINE GOLD · 999.9 · 2022 · |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated). Packaging: loose individual coin, or 25 coins in mint tube, or 500 coins in monster box. Royal Mint Product code: RTLE22QZC. Date of issue: 21 February 2022. Issue price: £426.29 |
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See also |
Royal Tudor Beasts - The Lion of England design was issued in a variety of formats: - 1 oz Platinum Bullion, The Lion of England, 2022 - 2 kg Gold Proof, The Lion of England, 2022 - 1 kg Gold Proof, The Lion of England, 2022 - 5 oz Gold Proof, The Lion of England, 2022 - 2 oz Gold Proof, The Lion of England, 2022 - 1 oz Gold Bullion, The Lion of England, 2022 - 1 oz Gold Proof, The Lion of England, 2022 - 1/4 oz Gold Bullion, The Lion of England, 2022 - 1/4 oz Gold Proof, The Lion of England, 2022 - 2 kg Silver Proof, The Lion of England, 2022 - 1 kg Silver Proof, The Lion of England, 2022 - 10 oz Silver Bullion, The Lion of England, 2022 - 10 oz Silver Proof, The Lion of England, 2022 - 5 oz Silver Proof, The Lion of England, 2022 - 2 oz Silver Bullion, The Lion of England, 2022 - 2 oz Silver Proof, The Lion of England, 2022 - 1 oz Silver Proof, The Lion of England, 2022 - £5 CuproNickel, Brilliant Uncirculated, The Lion of England, 2022
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