In 1816 William Wyon was an Assistant Engraver at The Royal Mint when he entered a competition to design new coins for the Great Recoinage.

His submission, The Three Graces, lost out to Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic St George & The Dragon design, creating an early rivalry between the two men.

Despite this setback William Wyon’s reputation flourished, forever linked to the reign of Queen Victoria.

He created the famous Young Head portrait when Victoria became Queen, his Una & The Lion design celebrated the first anniversary of her coronation and his Gothic Crown was released to mark her 10th year as monarch.