The Queen's Beasts (coin)
The Queen's Beasts coins are British coins issued by the Royal Mint in gold and silver since 2016.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Each of the 10 planned 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. The silver coin is notable as the first two-ounce United Kingdom silver bullion coin.[1] The entire series' designs are to be created by engraver Jody Clark.[1] In December 2016, a full line of proof-quality coins was announced.[8] In 2017, the mint began producing a platinum version of the coin.
| United Kingdom | |
| Value | 5 pounds sterling |
|---|---|
| Mass | 62.42 g |
| Diameter | 38.61 mm |
| Thickness | 6.00 mm |
| Edge | Milled |
| Composition | .9999 silver |
| Years of minting | 2016 |
| Obverse | |
 | |
| Design | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Designer | Jody Clark |
| Design date | 2015 |
| Reverse | |
 | |
| Design | The Lion of England |
| Designer | Jody Clark |
| Design date | 2016 |
I. Lion of England
The Lion of England is the first in the series of Queen's Beasts coins, released in March, 2016.[1] The initial allocation of bullion coins from the Royal Mint sold out[9] and were not available again until Mid-June 2016. Proof versions were announced in November 2016.[8]
Single coins were delivered in a plastic coin capsule or flip, as chosen when ordering. Bulk orders were delivered in the same containers used for packaging Britannia bullion coins: 10 coins per tube, 20 tubes per box. The tube for silver can potentially hold a total of 13 coins.
On February 18, 2016, Wholesale Direct Metals announced that they would be the exclusive North American distributor for the Royal Mint of the Lion of England bullion coins.[10] By mid-2016, the coins were widely available for sale and trade from a variety of sources. The proof versions were widely available in December 2016.
Common obverse
The obverse features the fifth definitive coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II,[11] surrounded by the text "ELIZABETH II • D • G • REG • F • D • (2/5/10/25/100/500/1000) POUNDS". DG REG FD is an abbreviation of the Latin "Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensor," meaning "Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith". It is a form of the style of the British sovereign of Queen Elizabeth II common on coins of the Pound Sterling. The initials of artist Jody Clark appear just below the portrait.
Reverse on bullion coins
The reverse features a stylized rendition of the beast surrounded by the text "[BEAST'S NAME] • (¼/1/2/10)oz • FINE (GOLD/SILVER/PLATINUM) • 999.(5/9) • (2016/-/2021)". Jody Clark's initials appear just below the shield, offset either to the left or to the right.
Reverse on proof and brilliant uncirculated coins
The reverse features a slightly different stylized rendition of the beast from the bullion version, surrounded by the text "[BEAST'S NAME] • (2016/-/2021)". Jody Clark's initials appear within the shield, offset either to the left or to the right.
II. Unicorn of Scotland
The Unicorn of Scotland is the fourth in the series of Queen's Beasts bullion coins released September 2017. [12]
Obverse
From this fourth release, the obverse background of the bullion versions was changed from a stucco-like finish to an arcing pattern of many small diamonds.
III. Red Dragon of Wales
The Red Dragon of Wales is the third in the series of Queen's Beasts bullion coins, released in March 2017.
IV. Black Bull of Clarence
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The Black Bull of Clarence is the fifth in the series of Queen's Beasts bullion coins released in March 2018.
V. Falcon of the Plantagenets
The Falcon of the Plantagenets is the sixth in the series of Queen's Beasts bullion coins released in September 2018.
VI. White Lion of Mortimer
The White Lion of Mortimer is an upcoming design in the series of Queen's Beasts bullion coins but is not yet released.
VII. Yale of Beaufort
The Yale of Beaufort is an upcoming design in the series of Queen's Beasts bullion coins but is not yet released.
VIII. White Greyhound of Richmond
The White Greyhound of Richmond is an upcoming design in the series of Queen's Beasts bullion coins but is not yet released.
IX. White Horse of Hanover
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The White Horse of Hanover is an upcoming design in the series of Queen's Beasts bullion coins but is not yet released.
X. Griffin of Edward III
The Griffin of Edward III is the second in the series of Queen's Beasts bullion coins, released in November 2016.
Specifications
The following table contains specifications for each coin.[13][14][15][8]
| Quality | Purity | Metal | Edition | Face Value | Weight | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bullion | .9999 | Gold | 1 oz | £100 | 31.21 g | 32.69 mm |
| Bullion | .9999 | Gold | ¼ oz | £25 | 7.80 g | 22.00 mm |
| Bullion | .9999 | Silver | 10 oz | £10 | 311.055 g | 89.00 mm |
| Bullion | .9999 | Silver | 2 oz | £5 | 62.42 g | 38.61 mm |
| Bullion | .9995 | Platinum | 1 oz | £100 | 31.21 g | 32.69 mm |
| Proof | .999 | Gold | 1 kg | £1000 | 1005.00 g | 100.00 mm |
| Proof | .9999 | Gold | 5 oz | £500 | 156.30 g | 50.00 mm |
| Proof | .9999 | Gold | 1 oz | £100 | 31.21 g | 32.69 mm |
| Proof | .9999 | Gold | ¼ oz | £25 | 7.80 g | 22.00 mm |
| Proof | .999 | Silver | 1 kg | £500 | 1005.00 g | 100.00 mm |
| Proof | .999 | Silver | 10 oz | £10 | 312.59 g | 65.00 mm |
| Proof | .999 | Silver | 5 oz | £10 | 156.30 g | 65.00 mm |
| Proof | .999 | Silver | 1 oz | £2 | 31.21 g | 38.61 mm |
| Brilliant Uncirculated | Cupro-nickel | 1 oz | £5 | 28.28 g | 38.61 mm | |
Mintage
The following table has the most recent available information on the numbers of coins minted by year and design.[8][16]
| Position | Obverse | Reverse | Bullion | Proof | Brilliant Uncirculated | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .9999 | .9995 | .999 | .9999 | .999 | Cupro-nickel | ||||||||||||
| Gold | Silver | Platinum | Gold | Silver | |||||||||||||
| 1 oz | ¼ oz | 10 oz | 2 oz | 1 oz | 1 kg | 5 oz | 1 oz | ¼ oz | 1 kg | 10 oz | 5 oz | 1 oz | 1 oz | ||||
| £100 | £25 | £10 | £5 | £100 | £1000 | £500 | £100 | £25 | £500 | £10 | £10 | £2 | £5 | ||||
| I | Queen Elizabeth II | Lion of England | 2016 Unl. |
2016 Unl. |
2017 Unl. |
2016 Unl. |
2017 Unl. |
2017 25 |
2017 125 |
2017 1000 |
2017 2500 |
2017 600 |
2017 1250 |
2017 2500 |
2017 8500 |
2017 Unl. |
2018 Ltd. |
| II | Queen Elizabeth II | Unicorn of Scotland | 2018 Unl. |
2018 Unl. |
2019 Unl. |
2018 Unl. |
2019 Unl. |
2017 13 |
2017 85 |
2017 475 |
2017 1500 |
2017 225 |
2017 850 |
2017 750 |
2017 6250 |
2017 Unl. | |
| III | Queen Elizabeth II | Red Dragon of Wales | 2017 Unl. |
2017 Unl. |
2018 Unl. |
2017 Unl. |
2018 Unl. |
2018 13 |
2018 90 |
2018 500 |
2018 1500 |
2018 200 |
2018 700 |
2018 750 |
2018 6000 |
2018 Unl. | |
| IV | Queen Elizabeth II | Black Bull of Clarence | 2018 Unl. |
2018 Unl. |
N/R | 2018 Unl. |
N/R | 2018 10 |
2018 85 |
2018 500 |
2018 1500 |
2018 150 |
2018 600 |
2018 700 |
2018 6000 |
2018 Unl. | |
| V | Queen Elizabeth II | Falcon of the Plantagenets | 2019 Unl. |
2019 Unl. |
N/R | 2019 Unl. |
N/R | 2019 13 |
2019 85 |
2019 445 |
2019 1250 |
2019 125 |
2019 400 |
2019 550 |
2019 5650 |
2019 Unl. | |
| VI | Queen Elizabeth II | White Lion of Mortimer | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | |
| VII | Queen Elizabeth II | Yale of Beaufort | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | |
| VIII | Queen Elizabeth II | White Greyhound of Richmond | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | |
| IX | Queen Elizabeth II | White Horse of Hanover | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | |
| X | Queen Elizabeth II | Griffin of Edward III | 2017 Unl. |
2017 Unl. |
2018 Unl. |
2017 Unl. |
2018 Unl. |
N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | N/R | |
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 The Queen’s Beasts are brought to life in a new bullion coin range. The Royal Mint Blog 31 March 2016
- ↑ "Royal Mint Launches Queen's Beasts". Coin World. Retrieved 2016-08-13.
- ↑ "Royal Mint surprises with Queens Beasts, new gold and silver bullion coin series - AgAuNEWS". AgAuNEWS. 2016-03-25. Retrieved 2016-08-13.
- ↑ "Royal British Mint Issues New "Queen's Beasts" Gold and Silver Bullion Coins — World Mint News Blog". world.mintnewsblog.com. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
- ↑ "Royal Mint begins new bullion coin program | Coin World". Retrieved 2016-08-13.
- ↑ lawrieongold (2016-03-30). "UK's Royal Mint introduces 'The Queen's Beasts' gold and silver coins". lawrieongold. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
- ↑ Rodger, James (2016-03-30). "New £100 coin unveiled - here's how to get one". Retrieved 2016-08-14.
- 1 2 3 4 "Queens Beasts Lion coin now available in a full range of gold and silver proof sizes - AgAuNEWS". agaunews.com. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
- ↑ "Queen's Beasts Secondary Market Prices Too High". Coin World. Retrieved 2016-08-13.
- ↑ "Wholesale Direct Metals Chosen by The Royal British Mint to Be the Exclusive North American Distributor for the 2016 Royal British Lion Gold & Silver Coins". Retrieved 2016-08-13.
- ↑ "The fifth portrait of The Queen is unveiled". 2015-03-02. Retrieved 2016-08-13.
- ↑ "The Queen's Beasts". Royal Mint Bullion. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- ↑ "Buy The Queen's Beasts 2016 – The Lion - 1 oz Gold Bullion Coin". www.royalmintbullion.com. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
- ↑ "Buy The Queen's Beasts 2016 – The Lion – 1/4 oz Gold Bullion Coin". www.royalmintbullion.com. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
- ↑ "Buy The Queen's Beasts 2016 – The Lion - 2 oz Silver Bullion Coin". www.royalmintbullion.com. Retrieved 2016-08-14.
- ↑ "The Queen's Beasts Series". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 2018-04-26.