The British Royal Mint has unveiled a 10-coin set reuniting all of the Queen’s Beasts in one collection, marking the end of the series inspired by the 10 stone statues lining Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation route to Westminster Abbey.
Starting with the Lion of England in 2017, the series has showcased each of these royal guardian’s history and symbolism. The 10 designs making up the Queen’s Beasts Collection are now presented together for the first time, and the following Beasts grace their 2021-dated coin:
- the Lion of England;
- the Red Dragon of Wales;
- the Griffin of Edward III;
- the Unicorn of Scotland;
- the Black Bull of Clarence;
- the Falcon of the Plantagenets;
- the Yale of Beaufort;
- the White Lion of Mortimer;
- the White Horse of Hanover; and
- the White Greyhound of Richmond.
The Queen’s Beast Collection is available as a gold or silver (shown) quarter-ounce silver proof set and a silver two-ounce edition.
“The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts coin collection has grown in popularity and become a firm favourite amongst collectors across the globe, since the first beast, the Lion of England, was introduced onto coins in 2017,” said Clare Maclennan, the mint’s divisional director of commemorative coins.
“The collection combines a skilful blend of design and craftsmanship with symbolism and dynamic realism.”
Finished to a proof standard, the set is available as a gold and silver quarter-ounce edition, whose coins feature a reverse frosted finish, plus a silver two-ounce edition.