The 2019 Queen’s Beast 10 oz Silver Bullion Coin – The Unicorn is the 10 troy ounce version of the fourth design released of the 10-coin series and comes packaged in a mint-issued protective coin capsule. Following the initial success of the series, The Royal Mint has begun offering an official ten-ounce United Kingdom bullion coin bearing the heraldic beast design. This addition to The Royal Mint’s bullion range takes its inspiration from hundreds of years of royal heraldry.

The background for this range comes from the coronation of Her Majesty The Queen, where ten heraldic beasts stood guard, The Queen’s Beasts, sculpted by James Woodford RA for the coronation ceremony. The coins each depict one of the The Queen’s Beasts, reimagined by Royal Mint Coin Designer Jody Clark. Jody also created the latest definitive coinage portrait of The Queen to appear on United Kingdom coins. His bold interpretations of the Lion of England is the first coin released of the series.

Obverse
The obverse features the 5th definitive coinage Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, surrounded by the text “ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 10 POUNDS”. DG REG FD is an abbreviation of the latin “Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensor” meaning; “Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith” and is a form of the Style of the British sovereign of Queen Elizabeth II common on coins of the Pound Sterling. The initials of the artist Jody Clark appear just below the portrait.

Reverse
The reverse features a stylized rendition of the The Unicorn of Scotland surrounded by the text “UNICORN OF SCOTLAND 10 oz FINE SILVER 999.9” and date of mintage. The initials of the artist Jody Clark appear just below shield offset to the left.

Coin Highlights

• Fourth official UK 10 oz Silver Bullion Coin from The Royal Mint
• 10 troy ounce version of the fourth release in a ten-coin series
• Contains 10 troy ounces of .9999 fine silver
• Both obverse and reverse by British Coin Designer, Jody Clark
• Shipped individually in mint-issued protective coin capsule

What are The Queen’s Beasts?
When Her Majesty The Queen was crowned on June 2nd, 1953, ten heraldic beast statues stood guard outside the coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey. The Queen’s Beasts, as they are known, are a series of statues that were commissioned by the British Ministry of Works and sculpted by James Woodford RA. Standing at six foot high and cast in plaster, the ten statues depict the genealogy of The Queen, with each of the heraldic beasts symbolizing the various strands of The Queen’s royal ancestry;

• the Lion of England
• the Griffin of Edward III
• the Red Dragon of Wales
• the Falcon of the Plantagenets
• the Black Bull of Clarence
• the Yale of Beaufort
• the White Lion of Mortimer
• the White Greyhound of Richmond
• the Unicorn of Scotland
• the White Horse of Hanover

After the coronation ceremony, The Queen’s Beasts were taken to Hampton Court Palace where they stood guard in the Great Hall. At the time, the palace was also home to the King’s Beasts of Henry VIII, a series of statues that lined the bridge over the moat, from which James Woodford took inspiration for The Queen’s Beasts statues. While The Queen’s Beasts were relocated to Windsor Castle four years later, the King’s Beasts statues remain at Hampton Court Palace today, still lining the bridge over the moat.

After a short stay at Windsor Castle The Queen’s Beasts were taken into storage. Today they can be found at the Canadian Museum of History in Quebec, Canada. If you’re not travelling to Canada any time soon, Portland stone replicas, which were also carved by the original sculptor James Woodford RA, watch over Kew Gardens in the United Kingdom.

The Unicorn of Scotland
The Unicorn of Scotland, milk-white with gold hooves, horn and mane, has a coronet around its neck, like a collar, with a gold chain attached. It is thought that the chains were to show a great beast tamed to serve the king. As with most chained beasts in heraldry, its strength is emphasized rather than diminished by its shackles. It holds the royal coat of Scotland, unchanged since the time of Scottish king, Alexander III. A red lion rampant (the most fierce stance) is shown on a gold background.

Tales of the mythical unicorn date back to around 400 BC, perhaps confused or exaggerated descriptions of animals like the rhinoceros or wild bulls and horses. The creature was at first thought to be huge, strong and fierce, and later a more elegant beast, a symbol of purity and innocence. James I of England, who united the English and Scottish thrones, chose the Scottish Unicorn to join the Lion of England in supporting the Royal Arms. They have supported the shield ever since.

Buying from BGASC
The 10 oz Queen’s Beast Coins you purchase from BGASC are brand new, brilliant uncirculated silver bullion coins fresh from The Royal Mint of Great Britain. Each coin comes encased in a mint-issued hard plastic coin capsule. BGASC always handles your coins with the utmost care and respect, as if we were collecting them ourselves. If you have any questions about these coins or the purchasing process, feel free to call us toll-free and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you.