Myths and Legends "Beowulf and Grendel" 1oz Gold Coin 2024
Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is the mint of the United Kingdom and a world-leading exporter of coins. It not only produces and distributes British coins but also mints coins and medals for around 60 other countries. The Royal Mint traces its origins back to the year 886 and was located in London for almost 1,100 years before moving to Llantrisant in South Wales in 1980.
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🇬🇧 Myths and Legends “Beowulf and Grendel” 2024 – 1 oz Gold Coin – A Meeting of Two Legendary Figures in Quiet Clarity
The Myths and Legends “Beowulf and Grendel” 2024 – 1 oz Gold Coin depicts one of the best-known scenes from the Anglo-Saxon saga tradition in a design that relies on calm lines, balanced composition, and a clear, unembellished visual language. The coin does not present a dramatic battle scene, but the moment of encounter between two figures whose significance reaches far beyond the action itself. Beowulf appears as an embodiment of resolve, courage, and inner strength, while Grendel—mysterious and otherworldly—forms a counterforce expressed through presence rather than movement. The design avoids excess and focuses on the essential core of the legend.
The obverse bears the portrait of King Charles III, crafted with calm and precise linework. The modelling emphasises a clear, balanced structure without exaggerated shadows or dramatic emphasis. The monarch’s expression appears composed and dignified, resulting in a contemporary yet respectful depiction. The surrounding inscription frames the portrait discreetly, preserving its visual impact. The warm glow of the 999.9 fine gold accentuates the serene character of the obverse, aligning it perfectly with the ordered and refined design language of the series.
The reverse presents Beowulf and Grendel in a composition that favours posture over drama. Beowulf stands firmly, leaning very slightly forward, his body subtly tensed but without exaggerated musculature. His stance expresses determination rather than aggression. Grendel, by contrast, appears in a form that emphasises strangeness while remaining controlled in its portrayal. His body is slightly twisted, the proportions consciously deviate from the human norm, and the skin texture is finely modelled without descending into grotesque exaggeration. The two figures confront one another in a quiet tension that captures the spirit of the ancient epic—a moment suspended between decision, fear, and courage.
The background supports the scene without drawing attention. A calm, understated texture provides depth and clear separation between the figures and the surrounding field. The interplay between polished and matte areas of the fine gold creates a subtle sense of dimensionality, bringing the figures into gentle relief. The scene does not rely on exaggeration but instead forms a finely balanced composition that expresses the encounter of two opposing natures in a timeless, elegant form. The overall impression is one of ordered intensity, achieved without theatrical effects.
The 1-ounce format offers ample space for the design, allowing lines, surfaces, and proportions to appear clearly and cohesively. The relief unfolds with precision across the coin, each contour deliberately placed. The quiet radiance of fine gold lets the modelling emerge subtly, supporting the visual balance of the motif. The coin therefore reflects the fundamental aesthetic of the Myths and Legends series: figures from British myth rendered in a restrained, ordered visual style that emphasises posture rather than storytelling, allowing the design to achieve its full effect.
The symbolism of this encounter extends far beyond what is visible. Beowulf represents duty, strength, and the ability to face the unknown with inner clarity. Grendel, by contrast, embodies the shadow side of the world—the foreign and the fearsome—yet he is not portrayed as chaotic, but as a form whose power arises from stillness and presence. The coin does not depict this contrast as violent conflict but as a moment that positions the two forces against one another. The 2024 issue translates this meaning into a form that combines quiet depth with clear, deliberate modelling.
Thus, the Myths and Legends “Beowulf and Grendel” 2024 – 1 oz Gold Coin presents a composition that unites mythological narrative, artistic balance, and modern minting craftsmanship into a harmonious and quietly expressive relief. Struck in fine gold, it preserves the essence of the legend in a design that remains calm, timeless, and richly symbolic.
| Metal | Gold |
| Form | Gold Coin |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Royal Mint |
| Purity | 999.9/1000 |
| Fineweight | 31.10 gram |
| Gross Weight | 31.10 gram |
| Denomination (oz) | 1 oz |
| Year of issue | 2024 |
| Grade | Brilliant |
| Face value | 100 Pounds |
| Thickness | 2.79 mm |
| Diameter | 32.69 mm |
| Packaging | Single in Pouch |
| Packaging Unit | 10 per tube |