| Coin | Silver Five Ounces 2021 White Greyhound of Richmond |
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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 ounce (5 oz) silver coins are denominated as ten pounds (£10).
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 type is the ninth 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 - so he is in the rare position of having designed both sides.
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 White Greyhound of Richmond was a badge of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Richmond, 3rd son of King Edward III. It was also used by his son King Henry IV and especially by King Henry VII. The Tudor double rose can be seen on the shield, one rose within another surmounted by a crown. It symbolizes the union of the two cadet houses of Plantagenet - the House of York and the House of Lancaster. |
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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 · 10 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 a dynamic depiction of the White Greyhound of Richmond. It holds a shield displaying a Tudor double rose (one rose within another), crowned with St Edward's Crown.
Around below, the inscription WHITE GREYHOUND OF RICHMOND. Around above, interrupted by the greyhound's head, the date · 2021 ·.
The artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark) are in the lower right field next to the shield. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
WHITE GREYHOUND OF RICHMOND · 2021 · |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | The Royal Mint says about the series:
"The Queen’s Beasts Collection nears its conclusion with the penultimate release in this ten-coin series. Chosen as one of the ten ancestral beasts that lined the entrance to Westminster Abbey at Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation, the White Greyhound of Richmond has been re-imagined for modern times by acclaimed designer Jody Clark. His mix of dynamic realism and heraldic symbolism is a signature of this series. The coin is available in a range of precious metal Proof editions, as well as a Brilliant Uncirculated edition.
A symbol associated with qualities such as fitness and skill, as well as faithfulness and loyalty, the greyhound was first used as a royal beast by Edward III. Closely associated with the House of Lancaster, it later became a symbol of the Tudor family when it was bestowed on Edmund Tudor by his half-brother Henry VI. After slaying Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, Edmund’s son was crowned Henry VII. He used the white greyhound to display his Tudor and Lancastrian ancestry, denoting his right to rule."
The silver five-ounce White Greyhound of Richmond coin was released on September 17th, 2020 in a black display box, Royal Mint Product Code: UK21QWS5, issue price: £420.00, in Proof FDC grade. Presentation Limited Edition: 260. Maximum Coin Mintage: 370. |
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| See also |
Coins from the Queen's Beasts series featuring the White Greyhound of Richmond include:
- 1 oz Platinum Bullion, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2022
- 1 kg Gold Proof, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
- 5 oz Gold Proof, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
- 1 oz Gold Proof, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
- 1 oz Gold Bullion, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
- 1/4 oz Gold Bullion, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
- 1 kg Silver Proof, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
- 10 oz Silver Proof, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
- 10 oz Silver Bullion, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2022
- 5 oz Silver Proof, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
- 2 oz Silver Proof, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
- 2 oz Silver Bullion, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
- 1 oz Silver Proof, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
- 1/4 oz Silver Proof, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
- £5 Copper-Nickel Brilliant Uncirculated, White Greyhound of Richmond, 2021
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