Silver Five Ounces 2024 St George and the Dragon, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

The obverse of the coin displays the first definitive portrait of King Charles III, which shows his bare (uncrowned) head facing left.

Below the neck truncation in tiny letters, the artist's initials MJ (for Martin Jennings).

Around, the monarch's legend followed by the face value and date of issue: CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 10 POUNDS · 2024 ·. Translated from Latin, the legend means: Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith.

Within a toothed border, the reverse of the coin depicts an illustration of the legend of St George as the slayer of the dragon.

St George is on horseback, advancing to right, wearing a helmet and chlamys (cape, or cloak) fastened in front by a fibula, and holding a sword. His left hand clutches the rein of the horse's bridle, and he does not wear armour, other than on his lower legs and feet, with his toes bare. The saint's horse appears to be half attacking, half shrinking from the dragon, which lies wounded by George's spear and in the throes of death. The point of a spear is broken off in the dragon’s side; the shaft lays on the ground behind the horse.

In exergue, the surname of the designer: PISTRUCCI. (Benedetto Pistrucci).

Surrounding the image, a Garter circlet inscribed with the Order of the Garter's motto, HONI · SOIT · QUI · MAL · Y · PENSE · (from old French: Shame on he who thinks evil).

Finish: Proof FDC.
Packaging: in black presentation box.
Limited Edition: 450. Maximum Coin Mintage: 460.
Royal Mint Product Code: UK24GD5S.
Release date: 15 February 2024.
Release price: £577.00.

The edge lettering means "an ornament and a guard; second year of the reign" (of King Charles III). In old times, it was customary to date coins with the date starting from the beginning of the monarch's reign. Edge inscriptions were both ornaments and guards - to protect the coin from being clipped so people would get some of the precious metal off.