In 2016 the Royal Mint launched the first of ten collector coins known as the Queen’s Beasts coins.
Each of the 10 beast coins in the series features a stylized version of one of the heraldic Queen’s Beasts statues that were present at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. They represent her royal line of ancestry.
For the purposes of this article, we will focus on the bullion coins.
Gold 1oz and 1/4oz, Silver 10oz and 2oz and Platinum 1oz bullion coins were produced for each beast. The silver coin is notable as the first 2oz United Kingdom silver bullion coin.
Engraver Jody Clark designed the entire series.
The Obverse
The obverse features the fifth definitive coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, surrounded by the text “ELIZABETH II • D • G • REG • F • D • (5/10/25/100) POUNDS”. D G REG F D is an abbreviation of the Latin “Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensor,” meaning “By the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith”. The initials of artist Jody Clark appear just below the portrait.
Beginning with the fourth release (Black Bull of Clarence), the obverse background of the bullion versions was changed from a stucco-like finish to an arcing pattern of many small diamonds.
The Reverse
The reverse features a stylized rendition of the beast surrounded by the text “[NAME OF BEAST] • (¼/1/2/10)oz • FINE (GOLD/SILVER/PLATINUM) • 999.(5/9) • (2016/-/2021)”. Jody Clark’s initials appear just below the shield, offset either to the left or to the right.
The Queen’s Beasts
The Lion of England is the first in the series of Queen’s Beasts coins, released in March, 2016. The initial allocation of bullion coins sold out and were not available again until mid June 2016.
The Griffin of Edward III is the second in the series and was released in 2017.
The third in the series, also released in 2017, is the Red Dragon of Wales.
Two further coins were released in 2018. The Black Bull of Clarence and The Unicorn of Scotland.
2019 saw the release of The Yale of Beaufort and The Falcon of the Plantagenets.
The White Lion of Mortimer is the eighth in the series of Queen’s Beasts bullion coins. It was released in 2020 along with The White Horse of Hanover.
The tenth coin to be released was The White Greyhound of Richmond which came in 2021.
The Queen’s Beasts Completer Coin
The “Completer Coin” is a commemorative of the series. It brings together all ten of the Queen’s Beasts on one coin and was released in April 2021.
The Completer Coin comes in the following bullion-grade options: Gold – 1oz, Platinum – 1oz and Silver – 2oz, 10oz and 1kg.
Queen’s Beasts Coin Specifications
| Metal | Purity | Edition | Face Value | Weight | Diameter | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | .9999 | 1 oz | £100 | 31.21 g | 32.69 mm | |
| Gold | .9999 | ¼ oz | £25 | 7.80 g | 22.00 mm | |
| Silver | .9999 | 10 oz | £10 | 311.055 g | 89.00 mm | |
| Silver | .9999 | 2 oz | £5 | 62.42 g | 38.61 mm | |
| Platinum | .9999 | 1 oz | £100 | 31.21 g | 32.69 mm |
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