| Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2021 Griffin of Edward III, 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 two ounce (2 oz) silver coins are denominated as Five Pounds (£5).
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 tenth and final design 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 Griffin of Edward III is an ancient mythical beast. It was considered a beneficent creature, signifying courage and strength combined with guardianship, vigilance, swiftness and keen vision. It was closely associated with King Edward III who engraved it on his private seal. The shield shows the Round Tower of Windsor Castle (where Edward III was born) with the Royal Standard flying from the turret, enclosed by two branches of oak surmounted by the royal crown - a motif also seen on the House of Windsor commemorative crown coin.
The silver two ounces coin was issued as part of a ten-coin set in 2021, wrapping up the series. |
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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 · FID · DEF · 5 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 mythical beast known as The Griffin of Edward III - with the winged body of a lion and the head of an eagle - facing left. It is holding a shield depicting the Round Tower of Windsor Castle (where King Edward III was born) with the Royal Standard flying from the turret, enclosed by two branches of oak surmounted by the royal crown.
Around below, the inscription GRIFFIN OF EDWARD III. Around above, interrupted by the griffin's wings, the date of issue · 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 |
GRIFFIN OF EDWARD III · 2021 · |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | The Queen's Beasts designs were issued irregularly, so that the bullion versions of these coins were issued much earlier than their proof versions, and earlier than most of the other ten designs. |
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| Included in Set |
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The Queen’s Beasts 2021 UK Two-Ounce Silver Proof Ten-Coin Set, mintage 300, limited to 300
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 from the Queen's Beasts series featuring the Griffin of Edward III are:
- 1 oz Platinum Bullion, Griffin of Edward III, 2018
- 1 kg Gold Proof, Griffin of Edward III, 2021
- 5 oz Gold Proof, Griffin of Edward III, 2021
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Griffin of Edward III, 2021
- 1 oz Gold Bullion, Griffin of Edward III, 2017
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof, Griffin of Edward III, 2021
- 1/4 oz Gold Bullion, Griffin of Edward III, 2017
- 1 kg Silver Proof, Griffin of Edward III, 2021
- 10 oz Silver Proof, Griffin of Edward III, 2021
- 10 oz Silver Bullion, Griffin of Edward III, 2018
- 5 oz Silver Proof, Griffin of Edward III, 2021
- 2 oz Silver Proof, Griffin of Edward III, 2021
- 2 oz Silver Bullion, Griffin of Edward III, 2017
- 1 oz Silver Proof, Griffin of Edward III, 2021
- 1/4 oz Silver Proof, Griffin of Edward III, 2021
- £5 Copper-Nickel Brilliant Uncirculated, Griffin of Edward III, 2021
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