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
£5
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Weight
5oz
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Authority
St Helena
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Diameter
65mm
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Edge
Milled
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Issue limit
300
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Total Mintage
300
BEHIND THE CRAFT
Behind the Craft - Masterpiece 2021 Una & The Lion
William Wyon is one of history’s great coin designers, a reputation built on masterpieces such as his neoclassical ‘The Three Graces’. He is best known for his portraits of Queen Victoria, who first sat for him as a 13-year-old princess. When Victoria was crowned Queen in 1838, his iconic ‘Young Head’ portrait captured the new monarch’s youthful poise.
To celebrate the first anniversary of Victoria’s coronation, Wyon created his Una & the Lion. Now recognised as one of history’s most beautiful coin designs, it is full of beauty and poise while capturing the ambitious beginnings of a powerful global Empire.
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For his Una & the Lion, William Wyon took inspiration from Edmund Spenser’s epic medieval poem The Faerie Queene.
Wyon used Spenser’s brave heroine princess Una to personify the young Queen Victoria, all elegance and grace compared to the barely suppressed power and energy of the lion at her side, a representation of the British nation under the guiding hand of its new Queen. |
• A rare opportunity to own one of history’s most beautiful coin designs
• Wyon’s Una & the Lion faithfully remastered • Strictly limited edition of just 300 coins worldwide • Five ounces of gleaming 999 fine silver • Struck to our highest Proof quality finish • Impressive 65mm diameter the ideal canvas for Wyon’s classic design • Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet |
Product Detail
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For his Una & the Lion, William Wyon took inspiration from Edmund Spenser’s epic medieval poem The Faerie Queene.
Wyon used Spenser’s brave heroine princess Una to personify the young Queen Victoria, all elegance and grace compared to the barely suppressed power and energy of the lion at her side, a representation of the British nation under the guiding hand of its new Queen. |
• A rare opportunity to own one of history’s most beautiful coin designs
• Wyon’s Una & the Lion faithfully remastered • Strictly limited edition of just 300 coins worldwide • Five ounces of gleaming 999 fine silver • Struck to our highest Proof quality finish • Impressive 65mm diameter the ideal canvas for Wyon’s classic design • Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet |
Stories
Una & the Lion:
Poetry, Poise and Power
William Wyon’s reputation as a great coin designer is forever linked to the reign of Queen Victoria.
From her accession in June 1837 until her death in 1901, Victoria’s reign covered a period of unprecedented scientific, political, social and industrial advancements, while the British Empire grew to become the greatest the world had ever seen.
When Victoria was crowned in 1838 Wyon created his famous ‘Young Head’ portrait, so well liked by Victoria that it graced the coins of her reign and Empire for nearly 50 years.
From her accession in June 1837 until her death in 1901, Victoria’s reign covered a period of unprecedented scientific, political, social and industrial advancements, while the British Empire grew to become the greatest the world had ever seen.
When Victoria was crowned in 1838 Wyon created his famous ‘Young Head’ portrait, so well liked by Victoria that it graced the coins of her reign and Empire for nearly 50 years.
In 1839, to celebrate the first anniversary of Queen Victoria’s coronation, he created his iconic Una & the Lion.
By characterising Queen Victoria as The Faerie Queene’s courageous heroine Una, Wyon’s design was initially seen as controversial as there were no previous examples of coin design’s featuring sitting British monarchs in allegorical settings.
But its artistry soon outweighed any concerns over its storytelling, and it is now regarded as one of history’s most beautiful coin designs.
By characterising Queen Victoria as The Faerie Queene’s courageous heroine Una, Wyon’s design was initially seen as controversial as there were no previous examples of coin design’s featuring sitting British monarchs in allegorical settings.
But its artistry soon outweighed any concerns over its storytelling, and it is now regarded as one of history’s most beautiful coin designs.
Book One of Spencer’s The Faerie Queene tells the story of Una, a princess on a quest to rescue her parents from a dragon. She meets a fierce lion who, subdued by Una’s beauty, becomes her faithful companion, protecting her every step.
This faithful Masterpiece remaster of Wyon’s Una & the Lion sees its every detail carefully reproduced, the result of expert hand craftsmanship that Wyon himself would recognise combined with the very best of modern minting technology.
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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
