Silver Ounce 2023 Myths and Legends - King Arthur, Bullion, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

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, followed by the date of issue and the face value: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 2 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).

The reverse of the coin depicts the mythical King Arthur, raising his sword Excalibur with two hands; he is crowned, wears a cape and has a knife hanging from his belt. In the background, Camelot castle and a "micro-dot table texture".

Around above, interrupted by the sword, the inscription KING ARTHUR · 1 OZ FINE SILVER · 999 · 2023. Below right, the designer's signature D.L (for David Lawrence).

The face value and denomination are on the obverse.

Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated)
Packaging: individual plastic capsule.
Royal Mint Product Code MLKA231SO.
Date of issue: 20 October 2022.
Issue price £26.90

Owing to the unfortunate tendency of some mints - the Royal Mint included - to issue future-dated coins, this coin is not exactly an error coin (considering that it was released like this intentionally) but is not right either. It is dated 2023, but features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II who died in September 2022; the coin should have carried the portrait of King Charles III instead.

A proof version was issued later with the correct obverse, featuring the first official effigy of King Charles III.

The Royal Mint differentiates bullion from proof coins not only by an inscription of the precious metal content on the bullion version - lacking on the proof, but also by having a textured background of the obverse of the bullion coins, while the proofs have a smooth background.