Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2021 Queen Victoria - Gothic |
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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 is part of the third release of gold and silver coins in the collector series entitled the “Great Engravers", issued to highlight some of the Royal Mint’s great artisans who have made significant contributions to British coinage - many regarded as numismatic masterpieces. The first issue featured Una and the Lion, and the second The Three Graces.
The third release consists of two coins - one featuring the Gothic Crown reverse, and this one featuring the Gothic Crown obverse, with the iconic Gothic portrait of Queen Victoria.
The Gothic Crown was the career masterpiece of William Wyon RA. First issued in 1847, it was so popular that most Victorian numismatists collected them straight from the Bank of England as soon as they were issued. Featuring the reverse design created for the Gothic Crown, the coin displays a quartered shield design that has a long tradition in British numismatics. Inspired in part by the Scottish artist William Dyce RA, the design represents a stylistic departure for Wyon and is indicative of the wider artistic movement known as the Gothic Revival, which was highly fashionable at the time. |
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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, followed by the date of issue and the face value: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 5 POUNDS · 2021 ·. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English and the year.
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Reverse | |
Within a decorated border, the reverse of the coin shows the young bust of Queen Victoria, facing left; the effigy is by William Wyon and is widely known as her Gothic Portrait.
The Queen is crowned with the Crown of Saint Edward, which has been used in the coronation of English monarchs since the 13th century. Her hair is braided and held back in a bun, with a braid looping around her ear. Her dress is decorated with rose, thistle and shamrock - the national plants of the constituent nations of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland and Ireland respectively).
Incuse on the shoulder truncation below right, the designer's initials, WW.
Around, the monarch's legend: Victoria dei gratia britanniar. reg: f: d · (abbreviated from Victoria dei gratia britanniarum regina, fidei defensor - Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britains, Defender of the Faith). |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Finish: Proof FDC. Packaging: boxed, with numbered Certificate of Authenticity. Limited Edition 4,000. Maximum Coin Mintage: 4,256. Royal Mint Product Code: UK21GO2S Date of issue: 7 February 2022. Issue price: £260.00
Mintage includes 3,637 individual coins and 162 in Gothic Crown 2021 UK 2oz Silver Proof Two-Coin Set. |
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See also |
Queen Victoria's Gothic Portrait has been re-issued as (ordered by metal / size / country): - 10 kg Gold Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, United Kingdom 2021 - 5 kg Gold Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, United Kingdom 2021 - 2 kg Gold Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, United Kingdom 2021 - 1 kg Gold Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Alderney 2021 - 1 kg Gold Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, United Kingdom 2021 - 10 oz Gold Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, United Kingdom 2021 - 5 oz Gold Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Alderney 2021 - 5 oz Gold Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Saint Helena 2022 - 5 oz Gold Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, United Kingdom 2021 - 2 oz Gold Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Alderney 2021 - 2 oz Gold Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Saint Helena 2022 - 2 oz Gold Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, United Kingdom 2021 - Gold Crown, Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Saint Helena 2022 - Five Gold Sovereigns, Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Alderney 2021 - 1 oz Gold Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Saint Helena 2022 - 2 kg Silver Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, United Kingdom 2021 - 1 kg Silver Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Alderney 2021 - 1 kg Silver Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Saint Helena 2022 - 1 kg Silver Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, United Kingdom 2021 - 10 oz Silver Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Alderney 2021 - 10 oz Silver Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, United Kingdom 2021 - 5 oz Silver Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Saint Helena 2022 - 5 oz Silver Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, United Kingdom 2021 - 2 oz Silver Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Alderney 2021 - 2 oz Silver Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Saint Helena 2022 - 2 oz Silver Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, United Kingdom 2021 - 1 oz Silver Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Alderney 2021 - 1 oz Silver Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Saint Helena 2022 - Silver Crown, Proof, Queen Victoria Gothic Portrait, Saint Helena 2022
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