Ceylon / Sri Lanka
Assam, India
Japan
Taiwan
Nepal
China
Kenya
Egypt
South Africa
Specification
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Alloy
Fine Silver - 999Ag
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Denomination
£2
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Weight
2oz
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Authority
St Helena
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Diameter
45mm
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Edge
Milled
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Issue limit
1000
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Total Mintage
1000
BEHIND THE CRAFT
Behind the Craft - Victoria Crown
William Wyon is one of history’s great coin designers, a reputation forever linked to the reign of Queen Victoria. His 1838 ‘Young Head’ portrait was so well liked by Victoria that it graced the coins of her reign for nearly 50 years. His 1839 Una & the Lion, now regarded as one of the most beautiful coins ever produced, used characters from Spenser’s The Faerie Queene to represent the young Queen Victoria and the powerful nation under her control.
Then, in 1846, Wyon created a new portrait for a silver crown celebrating the 10th anniversary of Victoria becoming Queen; it became known as the ‘Gothic Crown’.
In a change to Wyon’s Neoclassical style, his 1846 portrait was influenced by mid-19th Century ‘Neo-Gothic’; Queen Victoria wears a fashionable looped plait in her hair beneath the St Edward’s Crown which had been worn at coronations since the 13th Century, while the edge inscription is engraved in the ‘Blackletter’ style popular in carvings and literature from the Middle Ages. |
• A rare opportunity to own William Wyon’s Neo-Gothic Masterpiece
• Strictly limited edition of just 1,000 coins worldwide • Two ounces of sparkling 999 fine silver • Struck to our highest Proof quality finish • Impressive 45mm diameter an ideal canvas for Wyon’s classic design • Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet |
Product Detail
In a change to Wyon’s Neoclassical style, his 1846 portrait was influenced by mid-19th Century ‘Neo-Gothic’; Queen Victoria wears a fashionable looped plait in her hair beneath the St Edward’s Crown which had been worn at coronations since the 13th Century, while the edge inscription is engraved in the ‘Blackletter’ style popular in carvings and literature from the Middle Ages. |
• A rare opportunity to own William Wyon’s Neo-Gothic Masterpiece
• Strictly limited edition of just 1,000 coins worldwide • Two ounces of sparkling 999 fine silver • Struck to our highest Proof quality finish • Impressive 45mm diameter an ideal canvas for Wyon’s classic design • Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet |
Stories
A Masterpiece of Gothic Revival Artistry
Born in Birmingham, England in 1795, in 1816 William Wyon became Assistant Engraver at The Royal Mint, where his career blossomed.
Queen Victoria was undoubtedly his most famous subject, and it seems the Queen appreciated his work.
Victoria is believed to have told Wyon that “you always represent me favourably”, an approval that was surely further enhanced by his ground-breaking Gothic Revival portrait, released in 1847 as a very limited edition of just 8,000 pieces that made it highly coveted by collectors.
Queen Victoria was undoubtedly his most famous subject, and it seems the Queen appreciated his work.
Victoria is believed to have told Wyon that “you always represent me favourably”, an approval that was surely further enhanced by his ground-breaking Gothic Revival portrait, released in 1847 as a very limited edition of just 8,000 pieces that made it highly coveted by collectors.
Where the Neoclassical looked to ancient Greece and Rome, the Neo-Gothic was influenced by medieval aesthetics.
Maybe Wyon’s studies of medieval poetry for his ‘Una & the Lion’ design had inspired him, or perhaps it was the Gothic Revival architecture of the new Palace of Westminster being built just along the Thames from his desk at The Royal Mint?
Whatever influenced him, the 1847 Crown represents another design triumph in Wyon’s remarkable career and is now available to collectors once again.
Maybe Wyon’s studies of medieval poetry for his ‘Una & the Lion’ design had inspired him, or perhaps it was the Gothic Revival architecture of the new Palace of Westminster being built just along the Thames from his desk at The Royal Mint?
Whatever influenced him, the 1847 Crown represents another design triumph in Wyon’s remarkable career and is now available to collectors once again.
Wyon’s portrait of Queen Victoria fills the reverse, her crown and shoulders breaking the trefoil edge motif. Victoria wears the St. Edward’s crown, the first time a monarch had worn a crown on British coins since the days of Charles II.
The inscription 'Victoria dei gratia britanniar.reg.f:d.' is an abbreviation of 'Victoria dei gratia Britanniarum Regina Fidei Defensatrix', which translates as 'Victoria by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britons, Defender of the Faith'.
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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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Delivery & Returns
UK Standard Delivery: £9.95
See our delivery page for more information and overseas delivery. - Reviews
