The second edition of the Queen's Beasts 2017 1oz Griffin Gold coin is available. The 2017 "Queen's Beasts" is called "Griffin of Edward III". The Queen’s Beasts bullion coin collection will feature a total of 10 designs through 2021.
Published by the renowned Royal Mint, one of the oldest mints in the world, the 2017 Queen’s Beasts Griffin commemorates the rich history of the British Monarchy. These beautifully designed coins are suitable for both investors and collectors.
Fine Weight and Fineness
The Queen's Beasts Griffin gold coin 2017 is issued by the Royal Mint with a fine weight of 1oz. It has a high fine gold content of 999.9/1000 with a diameter of 32.69 mm.
Fine Weight |
Fineness |
Diameter |
Nominal value |
1oz |
999.9/1000 |
32.69 mm |
100 GBP |
Story
In 2016 the Royal Mint introduced “The Queen’s Beasts” gold and silver coin series. The gold coins are issued in 1oz and 1/4oz. The theme of the 2017 edition is the Griffin of Edward III. The full name of the coin is "Queen's Beasts 2017 - The Griffin of Edward III".
Many English and British queens and kings chose certain symbols which represented their reign and character. The griffin was one of the symbols that Edward used as a sign of his far-sightedness and leadership. The griffin is a mythical creature with the wings, fore-legs, and head of an eagle, and the body of a lion. The griffin is a combination of the king of birds and the king of the birds of prey.
The name "Queen's Beasts" is a term used mainly in the United Kingdom and goes back to the year 1953. With the coronation Elizabeth II, ten heraldic statues were created, with the name "The Queen's Beasts". They are supposed to represent the genealogy of queen Elizabeth II. The 1.83 cm statues were made by the sculptor James Woodford (1893-1976).
The following are the names of the statues that were created:
The lion of England
The griffin of Edward III
The falcon of the Plantagenets
The black bull of Clarence
The yale of Beaufort
The white lion of Mortimer
The White Greyhound of Richmond
The red dragon of Wales
The unicorn of Scotland
The white horse of Hanover
Appearance
The motif side of the Queen's Beasts 2017 shows the "Griffin of Edward III". In his claws, the Griffin holds a shield of the Windsor Castle. The castle was the office of Edward III and today is home of the British royal family.
Above the building is the banner and the royal crown. On the left and right the tower is framed by a seal. The background of the motif consists of chains that are intertwined (as it was customary with a chain shirt).
The writing is located in a smooth area on the edge, which graphically separates the motif from the edge. The upper and lower part of the motif extends into the writing on the outer edge of the coin.
The inscription is: "Griffin of Edward III • 1oz • Fine Gold • 9999 • 2017”. The initials "JC" are embossed underneath the coat of arms, which stand for Jody Clark who designed the motif side of The Queen's Beasts 2017 gold coin.
The back shows the image of Queen Elizabeth II. The background is a rough grained surface, which is very unusual for an investment coin. The inscription on the edge is "Elizabeth II • D • G • Reg • F • D • 100 Pounds".
Details
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Manufacturer: Royal Mint
Year of issue: 2017
Fine content: 999.9 / 1000
Fine weight: 31.103 g
Scratch resistance: poor
Nominal Value: 100 Pounds
Motif Avers: Griffin with Banner
Motif Lapel: Queen Elizabeth II
Metal | Gold |
Form | Gold Coin |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Issuer | Royal Mint |
Manufacturer | The Royal British Mint |
Series | Queen's Beasts |
Purity | 999.9/1000 |
Fineweight | 31.10 gram |
Gross Weight | 31.10 gram |
Denomination (oz) | 1 oz |
Year of issue | 2017 |
Grade | Brilliant |
Condition | Circulated |
Face value | 100 Pounds |
Thickness | 2.79 mm |
Diameter | 32.69 mm |
Packaging | single in Pouch |
Packaging Unit | 10 per tube |