The Coin Cabinet
Auction 35 28 Feb 2021
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UNITED KINGDOM. Elizabeth II, 1952-.
Silver 5 pounds, 2019. Royal Mint. Proof.
The Queen depicted as Una and the Lion was a controversial design issued at a time of great uncertainty. Victoria had only just turned 18 when she became Queen and Empress of the world's leading empire at the time, with dominions scattered around the globe. All eyes were on her to deliver the huge task of leading the empire to future prosperity. The depiction of Victoria as Lady Una, calmly directing the enormous beast by her side, the Lion (representing England), was a clever analogy, using the characters from Edmund Spenser's poem The Faerie Queene (written in 1590). It was the first time in history a British monarch was depicted on a coin as a fictional character.
As part of the Great Engravers series the coin offered here has caused equal amounts of admiration and frustration due to the low mintage and low-profile marketing from the Royal Mint. The mintage being just 225 pieces, it was immediately sold out and shortly thereafter coins were selling for multiples of the issue price on the secondary market. The Una and the Lion design is perhaps the most iconic of all British coin designs. The original 5 Pound piece struck for Queen Victoria in 1839 has been one of the best performers of all British investment coins but its performance now eclipsed by its modern version, leaving most collectors with little chance of ever getting one. This will be one to keep for the future.
Fifth, crowned head of Queen Elizabeth II right; JC below; ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · FID · DEF · 5 POUNDS ·. Design by Jody Clark. / Crowned and mantled Queen Victoria directing Lion left, DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS (May God direct my steps) above, date in Latin numerals below. Design by William Wyon. Edge milled.
Comes with the original box as issued by the Mint and the certificate of authenticity (COA). In secure plastic holder, graded NGC PF 69 ULTRA CAMEO, certification number 5878236-002.
NGC Census in this grade: 336.
NGC Census in higher grade: 202
Total NGC Census: 600
Mintage: 3,000.
Diameter: 40 mm.
Weight: 62.42 g. (ASW=2 oz.)
Composition: 999/1000 Silver.
PLEASE NOTE: 0 % Buyer Premium on this lot. No other fees, including live bidding. Only delivery cost will be added to your order.
Silver 5 pounds, 2019. Royal Mint. Proof.
The Queen depicted as Una and the Lion was a controversial design issued at a time of great uncertainty. Victoria had only just turned 18 when she became Queen and Empress of the world's leading empire at the time, with dominions scattered around the globe. All eyes were on her to deliver the huge task of leading the empire to future prosperity. The depiction of Victoria as Lady Una, calmly directing the enormous beast by her side, the Lion (representing England), was a clever analogy, using the characters from Edmund Spenser's poem The Faerie Queene (written in 1590). It was the first time in history a British monarch was depicted on a coin as a fictional character.
As part of the Great Engravers series the coin offered here has caused equal amounts of admiration and frustration due to the low mintage and low-profile marketing from the Royal Mint. The mintage being just 225 pieces, it was immediately sold out and shortly thereafter coins were selling for multiples of the issue price on the secondary market. The Una and the Lion design is perhaps the most iconic of all British coin designs. The original 5 Pound piece struck for Queen Victoria in 1839 has been one of the best performers of all British investment coins but its performance now eclipsed by its modern version, leaving most collectors with little chance of ever getting one. This will be one to keep for the future.
Fifth, crowned head of Queen Elizabeth II right; JC below; ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · FID · DEF · 5 POUNDS ·. Design by Jody Clark. / Crowned and mantled Queen Victoria directing Lion left, DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS (May God direct my steps) above, date in Latin numerals below. Design by William Wyon. Edge milled.
Comes with the original box as issued by the Mint and the certificate of authenticity (COA). In secure plastic holder, graded NGC PF 69 ULTRA CAMEO, certification number 5878236-002.
NGC Census in this grade: 336.
NGC Census in higher grade: 202
Total NGC Census: 600
Mintage: 3,000.
Diameter: 40 mm.
Weight: 62.42 g. (ASW=2 oz.)
Composition: 999/1000 Silver.
PLEASE NOTE: 0 % Buyer Premium on this lot. No other fees, including live bidding. Only delivery cost will be added to your order.