The Queen’s Beasts Gold and Silver coin series from the Royal Mint was introduced in 2016. There are a total of 10 planned coins in the series. The first edition was released in 2016 with two designs in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The final design will be released in 2021.
At the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey in 1953, ten heraldic “Queen’s Beasts” statues stood guard. The six feet tall Queen’s Beasts statues were created by James Woodford for the coronation ceremony. The statues symbolize the Queen’s heritage and royal ancestry. Each beast was used as a badge by generations that went before her.
The Queen’s Beasts silver coins were inspired from the ancestral beasts of heraldry, myth and legend that have been part of the Queen’s extraordinary family lineage. The lion, which symbolises strength and bravery was the first coin to be released in 2016. The series is available in both gold and silver.
This is a brilliant coin series by the Royal Mint and represents a part of the rich history of England and its past monarchs. Queen’s Beasts silver coins are ideal for both investors and collectors.
The 10 Heraldic Queen’s Beasts Statues that are planned for the coin series Includes:
The Lion of England (Released March 2016 - Issued Date 2016)
The Griffin of Edward III (Released November 2016 - Issued Date 2017)
The Red Dragon of Wales (Released March 2017 - Issue Date 2017)
The Unicorn of Scotland (Released September 2017 - Issue Date 2018)
The Black Bull of Clarence (Released March 2018 - Issue Date 2018)
The Falcon of the Plantagenets - (Released September 2018 - Issue Date 2019)
The Yale of Beaufort - (Released March 2019 - Issue Date 2019)
The White Lion of Mortimer - (Expected release in 2020)
The White Greyhound of Richmond - (Expected release in 2020)
The White Horse of Hanover - (Expected release in 2021)
Product Specifications
The Queen’s Beasts silver coin series all have a purity of 999.9 silver. The silver bullion coin is available in the 2 oz weight for all 10 designs. This is the first time the Royal Mint has issued a United Kingdom silver coin in the 2 oz size. Due to the success of the series a 10 oz silver bullion edition was also released in 2017.
2 oz Size
Weight: 62.42 g
Diameter: 38.61 mm
Fineness: 999.9/1000
Nominal Value: 5 Pounds
10 oz Size
Weight: 311.055 g
Diameter: 89 mm
Fineness: 999.9/1000
Nominal Value: 10 Pounds
Lion of England (2016 Edition)
The Lion of England was the first coin in the series and is also referred to as the golden lion. The lion of England dates back to Richard “the Lionheart” who ruled from 1189-1199. The lion of England was present on his shield.
As long as England has had a shield it has always had some depiction of a lion. The lion is also one of the earliest animals to be used as a symbol on Royal Arms. The image of the lion is often used as a representation of bravery, strength and valor.
Design
The motif side of the coin depicts the Lion of England with a shield and crown. The shield displays three columns of lions on the first and fourth quadrants. Surrounding the outer edge are the name of the coin “LION OF ENGLAND”, the size, the metal content “FINE SILVER 999.9” and the year of issue “2016”. The initials “JC” appear just below the shield and stand for artist Jody Clark.
The value side of the coin depicts a right side portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with diadem. The inscriptions surrounding the outer edge are the name of the regent “ELIZABETH II”, the letters “D G REG F D”, which is a latin abbreviation that translates “Grace of God, Queen Defender of the Faith”. Jody Clark's initials also appear below the Queen’s portrait.
The Griffin of Edward III (2017 Edition)
Along with the falcon, the griffin was on the private seal of King Edward III. The griffin symbolises strength and courage and was said to be part eagle and part lion. The depiction of the griffin with wings on the Queen’s Beast statue would imply that she was female as males do not have wings.
Edward III was the King of England for 50 years and ruled from 1327-1377. He was most known for his military victories and reimposing royal power. During his reign he established England as one of the strongest military forces in Europe.
Design
The motif side of the coin depicts the Griffin of Edward III. The griffin is standing on Edward’s shield with outstretched wings. The inscriptions on the outer edge are similar to the other coins in the series and display the name of the coin “GRIFFIN OF EDWARD III”, the size, the silver content “FINE SILVER 999.9”, and the date of issue “2017”
The value side of the coin depicts the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by artist and coin engraver Jody Clark. Around the outer edge are the engravings “ELIZABETH II”, “D G REG F D” and the nominal value.
The Red Dragon of Wales (2017)
In Europe, the legend of the dragon was said to symbolise a wise and powerful creature that was strong but also frightening. The red dragon goes all the way back to the 6th century and was also known as the dragon of Cadwallader.
The Queen’s Beasts Red Dragon was symbolic of Owen Tudor and a part of Welsh history that was continued by his son, Henry VII. At the battle of Bosworth, Henry VII carried the red dragon standard and ascended to to the English Crown.
The red dragon on a green and white background would become the colors of the House of Tudor and used by Henry VIII on his ships. While the red dragon with green and white was the symbol for Wales, it was not made the official flag of Wales until 1959.
Design
The motif side of the coin shows the Red Dragon of Wales. The dragon is depicted gripping the shield with his left claw. The shield is pictured with lions on all four quarters. The detailed image of the dragon extends to the outer coin edge. Surrounding the outer edge are the name of the coin “RED DRAGON OF WALES”, the size, the metal content “FINE SILVER 999.9” and date of issue “2017”
The value side depicts the right side profile of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a crown. The inscriptions around the outer edge are “ELIZABETH II”, the letters “D G REG F D” and the nominal value.
Unicorn of Scotland (2018 Edition)
James I choose the Scottish Unicorn, which joined the Lion of England on his shield, which has supported the Royal Arms ever since. James I was the first monarch from the House of Stuart and he united the Scottish and English monarchs. He was also the first ruler to be called the King of Great Britain.
The unicorn was said to be an elegant beast with purity and innocence. The Queen’s Beasts Unicorn of Scotland has a horn, maine and gold hooves.
Design
The motif side of the coin depicts the Unicorn of Scotland. Around its neck is a cornet with a gold chain. Chained creatures in heraldry are associated with strength. The Unicorn holds the Royal Arms of Scotland and has a red dragon in the center of the shield. The outer edge has the following inscriptions: “UNICORN OF SCOTLAND”, the size, FINE SILVER 999.9” and “2018”.
The value side depicts the familiar portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Surrounding the outer edge are the engravings “ELIZABETH II”, the letters D G REG F D” and the nominal value.
Black Bull of Clarence (2018 Edition)
Edward IV was the first King of England who was from the house of York. As a result, the Black Bull of Clarence was a Queen’s Beast that was said to be “Yorkish”.
Edward was a key person in the War of the Roses, which lasted from 1455-1487. The War of the Roses was a civil war for control of the English throne between the house of Lancaster and the House of York.
His reign would be challenged by the Lancasterian forces and Henry VI at the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, which Edward emerged victorious.
Design
The motif side of the coin shows the image of the Black Bull of Clarence. The Black Bull of Clarence holds a shield that depicts the Royal Arms not only of the Yorkish Kings, but also the Lancastrians. The Tudors would follow with the same themes. The shield depicts the golden lions of England and the golden lilies of France. The outer edge has the following inscriptions which read “BLACK BULL OF CLARENCE” “the weight” “FINE SILVER 999.9” and the date of issue “2018”
The value side of the coin depicts the right side profile of Queen Elizabeth II. The lettering around the outer edge reads “ELIZABETH II”, “D G REG F D” and the nominal value.
Falcon of the Plantagenets (2019 Edition)
The falcon was first used by King Edward III of the House of Plantagenets as his badge. He choose the symbol of the falcon because of his love of hawking. The falcon also descended to Edward IV, who also used it as his personal badge.
Henry VII, who united the House of York and Lancaster, was said to have used the Falcon symbol. It was also believed to be the favourite badge of Queen Elizabeth I.
Design
The front side of the coin depicts the Falcon of the Plantagenets with outstretched wings. The falcon is holding a shield with both claws. The title of the coin is engraved around the left edge as “FALCON OF THE PLANTAGENETS”. The fine weight, metal content, purity and date of issue can be seen around the right edge. The initials of engraver Jody Clark is below the falcon.
The reverse side shows the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with diadem. The inscriptions around the outer edge are “ELIZABETH II D G REG F D” and the nominal value.
Advantages of Queen’s Beasts Silver Coins
Queen’s Beasts Silver coins are beautifully designed and were created from centuries of history and royal heraldry.
The Queen’s Beast series is produced by the Royal Mint, which is one of the oldest and most important mints in the world.
The coins have a high purity of 999.9/1000 silver.
Royal Mint History
The Royal Mint is one of the oldest mints in the world and was founded about 1,100 years ago. The Royal Mint consisted of many different mints that produced coins for the Kingdom of England, Great Britain and the British Empire. For approximately 800 years the main operation of the mint was located at the Tower of London. Since the 1960s, the mint has been headquartered in Llantrisant, South Wales.
The most popular billion coins from the Royal Mint include:
The Sovereign Gold Coin
The Britannia Gold and Silver Coin Series
The Queen’s Beasts Gold and Silver Coin Series
Product Details
Manufacturer: Royal Mint
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Series Name: Queen’s Beasts
Purity: 999.9/1000
Alloy: Silver
Weight: 2 oz and 10 oz
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