BEHIND THE CRAFT
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Behind the Craft - Gothic Crown

The 1847 ‘Gothic Crown’ is one of the 19th Century’s most intriguing coins. Commissioned to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Queen Victoria’s coronation, it is a classic work of Gothic Revival art created by the combined skills of an engraver at the top of his game and a highly talented artist.

William Wyon’s portrait of Queen Victoria dominated the coin’s obverse, while William Dyce’s reverse design featured a cruciform made of four crowned shields displaying the royal arms of the nations of the United Kingdom, separated by the floral symbols of England, Ireland and Scotland; roses, shamrocks and thistles.

FG22GOTGP2OZ

2022 Masterpiece Gothic Crown 2oz Gold Proof Coin - SOLD OUT

ONLY 125 COINS WORLDWIDE
DELIVERY IN 20 DAYS

The Gothic Crown is a celebrated work of artistic revivalism, coveted by collectors but out of reach of all but a fortunate few. Until now.

The East India Company - Collections

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At the centre of William Dyce’s cruciform design sits the arms of the Order of the Garter and the motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’, or ‘Evil to him who evil thinks’. The cross is topped by the St Edward’s Crown that Victoria wears on the obverse and, like Wyon’s design, Dyce’s cruciform fills the coin’s surface, the tips of the crown breaking through the trefoil edge motif.
• A rare opportunity to own William Dyce’s Neo-Gothic classic
• Strictly limited edition of just 125 coins worldwide
• Two ounces of gleaming 999.9 fine gold
• Struck to our highest Proof quality finish
• Impressive 45mm diameter a perfect canvas for Dyce’s classic design
• Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet

Product Detail

At the centre of William Dyce’s cruciform design sits the arms of the Order of the Garter and the motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’, or ‘Evil to him who evil thinks’. The cross is topped by the St Edward’s Crown that Victoria wears on the obverse and, like Wyon’s design, Dyce’s cruciform fills the coin’s surface, the tips of the crown breaking through the trefoil edge motif.
• A rare opportunity to own William Dyce’s Neo-Gothic classic
• Strictly limited edition of just 125 coins worldwide
• Two ounces of gleaming 999.9 fine gold
• Struck to our highest Proof quality finish
• Impressive 45mm diameter a perfect canvas for Dyce’s classic design
• Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet

Specification

  • Alloy

    Fine Gold - 999.9Au

  • Denomination

    £5

  • Weight

    2oz

  • Authority

    St Helena

  • Diameter

    45mm

  • Edge

    Milled

  • Issue limit

    125

  • Total Mintage

    125

Stories

A Masterpiece of Gothic Revival Artistry

In 1846 William Wyon was commissioned to produce a portrait of Queen Victoria for a new coin celebrating the 10th anniversary of Victoria’s coronation. Heavily influenced by the 19th Century Gothic Revival, it became known as the ‘Gothic Crown’.

It represented a change of style for Wyon, who had been synonymous with the Neoclassical. Where the Neoclassical looked back to ancient Greece, Neo-Gothic was influenced by Medieval aesthetics. The reverse was also Neo-Gothic in style, and while it was engraved by Wyon it was designed by Scottish artist William Dyce.
Dyce was primarily a painter but also one of the forefathers of art education; in 1837 he moved from Edinburgh to London to become head of the newly formed Government School of Design, which later became the Royal College of Art.


In 1844 he was appointed Professor of Fine Art at King’s College London, before collaborating with William Wyon on what is now recognised as one of the most beautiful and artistically significant coins of the 19th Century.

The Gothic Crown is one of the most beautiful coins of the Victorian Age, created to celebrate 10 years of Queen Victoria’s reign, the result of the combined skills of an engraver at the height of his powers and a highly talented artist.

William Dyce’s reverse design, a classic work of Gothic Revival art, has been faithfully remastered using traditional hand craftsmanship and the best of modern minting technologies, available now as this limited edition 2oz gold proof coin.

  • FAQ

    What is the difference between maximum mintage and issue limit?
    Maximum mintage is the total number of individuals coins which will be struck, this includes coins presented is sets. The Issue limit refers to the number of coins which will be sold in the specific presentation.

    What if the maximum mintage and issue limit is the same?
    This means the coin will only be available in the presentation shown and will not be issued in any other way.

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