The Queen’s Beasts series returns with a new design – the Yale of Beaufort! Please allow us to introduce, the 2019 Yale of Beaufort, which is now available in both 1oz gold and 2oz silver.
What is the Yale of Beaufort?
The ‘Yale’ (or centicore) is a symbol of grace and elegance, or defense and determination. The mythical beast was originally found in European mythology before passing into medieval bestiaries and heraldry legends. Most descriptions make it an antelope (or goat-like) four-legged creature with the tusks of a boar and large horns that it can swivel in any direction.
“The size of a hippopotamus, with an elephant’s tail, of a black or tawny colour, with the jaws of a boar and movable horns more than a cubit in length” – Pliny the Elder from Natural History
The House of Beaufort
The Yale’s connection to the British monarchy apparently began with Henry VII in 1485. He came from the House of Beaufort, an old noble English family. Henry’s mother, Lady Margaret, began the Beaufort heraldic symbol legacy. You may have wondered why the yale is on the college gatehouses Cambridge’s Christ’s College and St John’s College. This is because Lady Margaret Beaufort made big contributions to these of educational institutions.
The Yale of Beaufort was one of the Queen’s official ten heraldic beasts commissioned for her coronation in 1953. There are multiple yales on the roof of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle and it’s also part of the arms of Westminster City Council.
The War of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses were a series of English civil wars for control of the throne of England and was fought between supporters of two rival branches of English nobility: the House of Plantagenet and the House of Lancaster. It was later argued, however, that the conflict actually stemmed from the heads of the houses of York and Beaufort during the mid fourteenth century – Richard (Duke of York) and Edmund Beaufort (Duke of Somerset).
The breakdown of their relationship is a story of jealousy and ambition between implacable enemies and played a significant role in dragging England into this horrific civil war. Listen to BBC 4’s podcast on these conflicts here:
Queen’s Beasts Yale of Beaufort – Coin Design
The Yale of Beaufort is the 8th addition to The Royal Mint‘s Queen’s Beasts series. On this coin design, the Yale stands tall on both hind legs behind Margaret’s arms shield and includes a portcullis at the centre, a badge used by Henry VII. The sideways look of the beast clearly shows its power and ferociousness. Its spotted body make for a great raised texture and a semi-angry look with tusks and horns poised on either side of its head.
The obverse design depicts the fifth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, and the monetary denomination. Both the obverse and reverse are designed by British Coin Designer Jody Clark, creator of the latest definitive portrait of The Queen on UK coinage, and marked on the coin with the letters ‘JC’ on the front.
Bullion from Bleyer
The highly anticipated Yale of Beaufort has finally arrived in both 1oz Gold and 2oz Silver bullion. If you want to get your hands on either the 1oz Gold or the 2oz Silver coin and wish to get in contact with us directly, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 01769 618618 or email sales@bleyer.co.uk.
