Gold proof 5oz Una and the Lion Great Engravers coin from The Royal Mint.
William Wyon's Una And The Lion
Said to be one of the most beautiful coins in the world, the 'Una and the Lion' gold Five Pound was originally struck in 1839. These historic coins achieve spectacular prices when they come to the market but why were they issued? And who's Una?
This gold Five Pound was designed to be part of the first specimen set, issued during the reign of Queen Victoria. It was created by an artist at the height of his powers: William Wyon, then Chief Engraver to the Royal Mint.
In an interesting move he choose to depict the young queen - then still in her twenties - as a character from an epic poem called The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spencer. The reverse of the Five Pound shows Victoria in the guise of Lady Una guiding a lion who represents England. This was paired with Wyon's 'Young Head' portrait of the Queen to the obverse.
The Royal Mint's Great Engravers
Like other famous coinage designs by William Wyon, original Una and the Lion coins are hard to get hold of. Now, this famed design is available to a wider audience with The Royal Mint's Great Engravers series.
This collection takes inspiration from the past, reproducing great British coinage designs using 21st century production techniques to remaster historic dies.
The series so far featured hi-lights from William Wyon's career, starting with Una in 2019 then moving on to an earlier design, his Three Graces, created in 1817 for a pattern coin. 2021 saw the first in a two part release celebrating Wyon's 1847 Gothic Crown. All of these reissues have been phenomenally successful, prompting similar releases from the East India Company as well as much speculation about the next release.
Buy A Gold 5oz Una And The Lion Coin
The Royal Mint issued Una and the Lion coins in a range of metals and denominations in 2019. The most exclusive and coveted, of course, were the gold coins, offered in extremely limited numbers.
Just 65 gold five ounce UK Una and the Lion coins were issued in 2019.
The 5oz coin is composed of 156.30 grams of 24 carat (999.9) gold. This piece has a diameter of 50.00 millimetres and a face value of £500 / Five Hundred Pounds. The value appears on the obverse alongside a portrait of Elizabeth II by Jody Clark.
This scarce example comes in its original presentation packaging and capsule from The Royal Mint with a numbered certificate of authenticity enclosed.
Sell Your Una And The Lion Coin
We're interested in buying 2019 Una and the Lion coins in gold and silver as well as other limited edition coins in the Great Engravers series. Visit our Sell Your Coins page for more info on how to get a personalised quote for your collectibles that puts cash in your hands fast.
Product Summary
Precious Metal Content:
156.30 (g)
Monarch:
Elizabeth II (1952- present)
Denomination:
£500 / Five Hundred Pound
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
Condition:
Proof - Boxed with certificate of authenticity
- 5oz gold proof 2019 Una and the Lion coin
- From a limited edition presentation of 65 pieces
- First release in The Great Engravers collection
- Extremely popular series from The Royal Mint
- This coin is composed of 156.30 grams of 24 carat (999.9) gold
- Diameter: 50.00 millimetres
- Obverse: Jody Clark's portrait of Elizabeth II
- Reverse features remastered version of a William Wyon design
- 'Una and the Lion' originally appeared on a gold 1839 Five Pound
- Comes in original presentation box with numbered COA
Steeped in more than 1,100 years of history, The Royal Mint supplies all of the United Kingdom's coinage as well as currency for nations around the world. Renown for craftsmanship and thoughtful design, The Royal Mint also produces commemorative coins, favoured by investors and collectors.
A Millennia of Minting
Founded in the reign of Alfred the Great, around the year 886, The Royal Mint was originally one of several mints which were centralised to London in 1279. For more than 800 years the Mint was based at the Tower of London before moving to Royal Mint Court where it remained until the 1960s.
The Royal Mint has always been on the forefront of economic, technical and artistic innovation. Its skilled craftsmen minted coins that would reach the far corners of the British Empire, establishing the image and reputation of Britain for all whose pockets they ended up in.
In 2010 The Royal Mint became a limited company owned by Her Majesty’s Treasury. In recent years the Mint has struck medals for the 2012 London Olympic Games and opened a visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, in Llantrisant, Wales: the current home of The Royal Mint.
Collecting and Investing
The Royal Mint's commemorative and bullion coins – often minted to mark important national events and anniversaries – are not intended for circulation. They might look like ordinary coins but they are generally worth much more, thanks to their scarcity, finish and composition.
Most commemorative coins produced by The Royal Mint are available in a range of striking standards including Gold Proof, Silver Proof, Brilliant Uncirculated and Bullion. Some are also available in collectors sets. Gold and Silver Proof coins are minted in small numbers, making them rare and desirable.
The Royal Mint's commemorative coins are both VAT-free and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt, making them an attractive and valuable investment. Whether you are diversifying your investments or simply appreciate world-class design, commemorative coins from The Royal Mint are a great buy.
The Royal Mint at The Britannia Coin Company
The Britannia Coin Company is proud to stock official commemorative coins from The Royal Mint as well as a wide range of historic Royal Mint coinage. We offer unbeatable value on The Royal Mint coins, backed by our reputation for honesty and integrity, built over more than a decade of trading.
We're The Britannia Coin Company: offering exceptional service and unbeatable value to all who collect and invest in coins. Part of Gold-Traders (UK) Ltd, we've earned a world-class reputation over more than a decade of buying and selling currency from new issues to ancient coins.
Buy with Confidence
All Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise: just read some of our reviews.
When you buy online with the Britannia Coin Company, you're guaranteed a fully protected service. Our payment process is fully encrypted, preventing unauthorised access to your personal and financial details. Check your browser bar for the trusted padlock symbol: it's a mark of security.
Our prices include fully insured delivery within the UK. Your purchase is covered from the moment you buy until it's in your hands. Orders are packed with care, tracked every step of the way, and require signature on receipt to ensure a safe delivery experience.
Visit our Showroom
We're based in Royal Wootton Bassett, a historic market town in beautiful Wiltshire. If the name rings a bell it's probably because you remember how the community honoured those soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 'Royal' in the name was granted in 2011 to recognise this.
Our new showroom – opened in 2020 – is located in the heart of Royal Wootton Bassett in a grand, old bank building. Inside you can view our stock, as well as jewellery and collectibles from several local antique dealers. Look out for the Old Bank Antiques sign and come on in.
If you're seeking to inspect a specific item you have seen online, give us a call ahead of your visit on 01793 205 007 so we can make sure it's ready for you to view. If you're collecting an order your payment should have cleared before you arrive and we may ask to see identification.
Get in Touch
Got questions? Our experts are ready to answer them. If you need more information before you make your purchase then please get in touch.
Call our showroom on 01793 205 007.
Drop us a line on coins@britanniacoincompany.com.
Visit us at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire SN4 7AB.
