The Royal Mint unleashes the Griffin of Edward III as the final beast to join the Queen’s Beasts collection
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The Royal Mint, the original maker of UK coins, has today unleashed the Griffin of Edward III onto a commemorative coin as the final heraldic beast that forms part of the Queen’s Beasts collection.
Chosen as one of the ten ancestral beasts that lined the entrance to Westminster Abbey at Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation, the Griffin of Edward III has been reimagined for modern times by designer Jody Clark.
Each coin design that forms part of the Queen’s Beasts collection is a combination of heraldic symbolism and dynamic realism. Using this skilful blend, the coin’s design successfully portrays the power and courage of the mythical creature that is the Griffin, ensuring the design of the coin is in keeping with the other beasts that form part of the commemorative coin collection.
Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said: “Today we unveil the final beast as part of The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts collection – The Griffin of Edward III. The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts commemorative coin collection combines a skilful blend of design and craftsmanship with symbolism and dynamic realism to bring to life the ten ancestral beasts that lined the entrance to Westminster Abbey at Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation. The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts commemorative coin collection has grown in popularity since the first beast was introduced in 2017 and has become a firm favourite amongst coin collectors across the globe.”
Known as a treasure guardian and a talisman to ward off evil, the griffin appeared in English heraldry from the twelfth century onwards and first entered royal service as a beast of Edward III. The griffin continued as a royal emblem after Edward III’s death in 1377 – Richard II used it on plate and jewellery – before falling out of favour after 1400. Although a portrait of Henry VI from circa 1458 shows two griffin supporters to his coat of arms.
The coin is available in a range of precious metal finishes, as well as a Brilliant Uncirculated edition.
The Queen’s Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021Specifications
The Queen’s Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 Gold Proof Specifications |
||||
Coin title |
The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof Coin |
The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK One Ounce Gold Proof Coin |
The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof Coin |
The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK Gold Proof Kilo Coin |
Denomination |
£25 |
£100 |
£500 |
£1,000 |
Issuing Authority |
UK |
UK |
UK |
UK |
Alloy |
999.9 Au Fine Gold |
999.9 Au Fine Gold |
999.9 Au Fine Gold |
999 Au Fine Gold |
Weight |
7.80g |
31.21g |
156.295g |
1005.00g |
Diameter |
22.00mm |
32.69mm |
50.00mm |
100.00mm |
Obverse Designer |
Jody Clark |
|||
Reverse Designer |
Jody Clark |
|||
Quality |
Proof |
|||
Limited Edition Presentation |
1240 |
500 |
115 |
10 |
RRP |
£605.00 |
£2,370.00 |
£10,820.00 |
£65,275.00 |
The Queen’s Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 Silver Proof Specifications |
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Coin title |
The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK One Ounce Silver Proof Coin |
The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK Five-Ounce Silver Proof Coin |
The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK Ten-Ounce Silver Proof Coin |
The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK Silver Proof Kilo Coin |
Denomination |
£2 |
£10 |
£10 |
£500 |
Issuing Authority |
UK |
UK |
UK |
UK |
Alloy |
999 Ag Fine Silver |
999 Ag Fine Silver |
999 Ag Fine Silver |
999 Ag Fine Silver |
Weight |
31.21g |
156.295g |
312.59g |
1005.00g |
Diameter |
38.61mm |
65.00mm |
65.00mm |
100.00mm |
Obverse Designer |
Jody Clark |
|||
Reverse Designer |
Jody Clark |
|||
Quality |
Proof |
|||
Limited Edition Presentation |
4400 |
290 |
140 |
70 |
RRP |
£92.50 |
£455.00 |
£865.00 |
£2,270.00 |
Coin title |
The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK £5 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin |
Denomination |
£5 |
Issuing Authority |
UK |
Alloy |
Cupro-Nickel |
Weight |
28.28g |
Diameter |
38.61mm |
Obverse Designer |
Jody Clark |
Reverse Designer |
Jody Clark |
Quality |
Brilliant Uncirculated |
Limited Edition Presentation |
Unlimited |
RRP |
£13 |
Media enquiries - The Royal Mint Press Office:
0845 600 5018 (calls cost 5p per minute) or email press.office@royalmint.com www.facebook.com/theroyalmint
Images
The Royal Mint retains copyright ownership © of all images. These may only be used for editorial purposes and cannot be sold or used for other marketing purposes without the permission of The Royal Mint.
About The Royal Mint
The Royal Mint has an unbroken history of minting British coinage dating back over 1,100 years. Based in the Tower of London for over 500 years, by 1812 The Royal Mint had moved out of the Tower to premises on London’s Tower Hill. In 1967 the building of a new Royal Mint began on its current site in South Wales, UK, to accommodate the minting of UK decimal coinage.
Today, The Royal Mint is the world’s largest export mint, supplying coins to the UK and overseas countries.
The Royal Mint has also diversified into a number of other complementary businesses, building on the values that have been at the heart of the organisation throughout its history - authenticity, security, precious metals, craftsmanship and design:
Precious Metals
Throughout history The Royal Mint’s name has been synonymous with precious metals and bullion. The organisation trades physical and digital precious metal worldwide via www.royalmintbullion.com and a global network of distributor partners.
Consumer coin division
The organisation runs a thriving commemorative coin business, gifting, and a collector services division retailing historic coins, an authentication and valuation service and secure storage.
The Royal Mint Experience
The Royal Mint entered the tourism business in 2016 when it opened its popular visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, at its home in Llantrisant, South Wales. The attraction welcomes around 100,000 visitors a year.