Storytelling through coins, is one of the most significant ways historical events are recalled, for the simple reason that currency is a constant that has always been around in one form or another. It has adapted, changed and transformed, but it is always there telling a story of history…
There’s one coin in particular though that holds more meaning and beauty than any other, blending fact and fiction to produce what can only be described by many as the world’s most beautiful coin. Una and the Lion.
The Original Commission
In 1839, William Wyon was commissioned to design a new five-pound coin to commemorate the anniversary of Queen Victoria’s coronation.
But the design he chose was a controversial one, depicting Queen Victoria as the fictional character Lady Una from the Edmund Spenser poem, The Faerie Queene. Prior to this commission, never before had a person or monarch been featured on a coin as a fictional character.
The design on this 1839 coin features Queen Victoria as the princess Una, waking alongside her guardian and the symbol of England, the lion. This symbolic design represented the young monarch leading what became one of the greatest empires in history.
Despite its controversial design, the coin proved to be an immediate success, rising to be one of the most beautiful and sought-after coins to ever be struck. Making it even more appealing to collectors, this coin was only ever struck for one year, with only around 400 coins produced. It is incredibly rare still to this day!
The Inspiration Behind the Design
Published in 1590, The Faerie Queen is one of the longest and most well-known poems in English history. It was written at the peak of the Renaissance and draws on both history and myth to tell a tale of adventure, battle and religion.
The poem follows princess Una, the young and beautiful daughter of a King and Queen who have been imprisoned in a tower by a ferocious dragon. In an attempt to save her parents, she embarks on a journey where along the way she encounters a ferocious lion. In a twist of events the lion is so captivated by Una’s beauty that he becomes her protector and companion. The story evokes the meaning of beauty, strength and endurance.
The Modern Day Una and the Lion
Hattons of London released the 2019 Queen Victoria 200th Anniversary 24 Carat Gold Sovereign range; paying tribute to the great Una and the Lion design and the historic significance and beauty it holds.
Queen Victoria is celebrated for her personal virtues and qualities that contributed much to the British sense of equity, duty and fair play. As a tribute to this, these new coins are of greater purity – literally – than all others that have gone before them.
The design features Queen Victoria as the princess Una, with the British lion; an adaptation from Edmund Spenser’s epic 16th century poem ‘The Faerie Queen’. It appeared on the first commemorative five-pound gold coin of her reign, of 1839.
The mintage is restricted to just 2,019 coins with a VR mintmark for Victoria Regina. Authorised by Alderney, and approved by both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Buckingham Palace, it is a wonderful celebration – and a world first one at that – of one of our greatest monarchs.
You can view the full range here.