Ceylon / Sri Lanka
Assam, India
Japan
Taiwan
Nepal
China
Kenya
Egypt
South Africa
Specification
-
Alloy
Sterling Silver - 925Ag
-
Denomination
£5
-
Weight
27.4g
-
Authority
St Helena
-
Diameter
39.8mm
-
Edge
Plain
-
Issue limit
1817
-
Total Mintage
1817
BEHIND THE CRAFT
Behind the Craft - Three Graces
William Wyon is one of history’s greatest coin designers. Born in England in 1795, his father was an engraver of medals and coins, his uncle a die engraver, and his cousin Thomas was Chief Engraver of The Royal Mint from 1815 to 1817. So it was perhaps inevitable that young William would pursue a career in the coin industry too.
As an ambitious 22-year-old Assistant Engraver, he created his neoclassical masterpiece: The Three Graces. While it never went into production, around 50 test ‘Pattern Pieces’ were produced which became collectors’ items as Wyon’s reputation grew.
It is, without doubt, a Masterpiece.
|
After the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the British Government announced a Great Recoinage and a competition to produce designs for the new coins.
The young William Wyon saw a chance to make his mark and entered with ‘The Three Graces’, decorating the sisters’ crowns with shamrocks, roses and thistles to tell the story of the 1801 Act of Union and formation of the United Kingdom. |
• A rare opportunity to own William Wyon’s breakthrough design
• Strictly limited edition of just 1,817 coins worldwide • Exclusive handcrafted ‘Pattern Piece' • Struck in gleaming 925 silver to our highest Proof quality finish • Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet |
Product Detail
|
After the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the British Government announced a Great Recoinage and a competition to produce designs for the new coins.
The young William Wyon saw a chance to make his mark and entered with ‘The Three Graces’, decorating the sisters’ crowns with shamrocks, roses and thistles to tell the story of the 1801 Act of Union and formation of the United Kingdom. |
• A rare opportunity to own William Wyon’s breakthrough design
• Strictly limited edition of just 1,817 coins worldwide • Exclusive handcrafted ‘Pattern Piece' • Struck in gleaming 925 silver to our highest Proof quality finish • Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet |
Stories
The Three Graces:
Joy. Beauty. Youth
In the mythical stories of Ancient Greece, The Three Graces were goddesses of Mount Olympus, the daughters of mighty Zeus. They represent the good things in life: laughter, festivities, elegance and youthful exuberance.
The cheerful Euphrosyne symbolises joy and laughter. The bright Aglaea is the personification of elegance and beauty. And finally, Thalia represents festivity and the blooming of youth.
The cheerful Euphrosyne symbolises joy and laughter. The bright Aglaea is the personification of elegance and beauty. And finally, Thalia represents festivity and the blooming of youth.
William Wyon cleverly captured renewed interest in the Classics and used The Three Graces to tell the story of The 1801 Act of Union, which saw the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland combine to form the United Kingdom.
At the mythical sisters’ feet, Wyon placed the national symbols of Scotland, England and Ireland; a thistle, a shield bearing the flag of St George and a harp. He decorated their crowns with shamrocks, roses and further thistles. And around the entwined goddesses he added the motto “Foedus Inviolabile’, meaning ‘unbreakable league, a message of hope for the new union.
At the mythical sisters’ feet, Wyon placed the national symbols of Scotland, England and Ireland; a thistle, a shield bearing the flag of St George and a harp. He decorated their crowns with shamrocks, roses and further thistles. And around the entwined goddesses he added the motto “Foedus Inviolabile’, meaning ‘unbreakable league, a message of hope for the new union.
William Wyon was just 22 years old when he created his neoclassical masterpiece The Three Graces. While it never went into production, 50 test ‘Pattern Pieces’ were produced which quickly became collectors’ items as Wyon’s reputation grew.
This exclusive Silver Proof Pattern Piece has been meticulously hand-crafted using skills and techniques that Wyon himself would recognise, to keep it as close as possible to the plain-edged Pattern Pieces made in 1817.
-
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.
How do I make sure I have access to the next coin in the collection?
By subscribing to our newsletter you can ensure you benefit from early access offers, pre-notification of releases and are the first to hear of our next release. Please ensure you mark any emails from us as trusted to ensure they don’t end up in your junk emails.
Do you have any offers or run promotions?
From time to time we will offer customers incentives or promotions. You can also subscribe to the newsletter sign up which is the best way to access special offers available only to our newsletter database. -
Delivery & Returns
UK Standard Delivery: £9.95
See our delivery page for more information and overseas delivery. - Reviews
