Masterpiece 2021 Una & the Lion 1oz Silver Proof Coin

William Wyon’s reputation as one of history’s greatest coin designers is built on a number of true masterpieces, including his neoclassical ‘The Three Graces’ which told the story of the 1801 Act of Union. He is perhaps most famous for his portraits of Queen Victoria, who first sat for him as a 13-year-old princess. When Victoria became Queen in 1838, his iconic ‘Young Head’ portrait captured the youthful poise of the new monarch.

A year later Wyon created what is now recognised as one of the most beautiful designs ever produced. His Una & the Lion takes its inspiration from Edmund Spenser’s epic poem The Faerie Queene; Una is a young princess on a quest to rescue her parents from a dragon, accompanied by a mighty lion who she meets along the way.

Wyon used this literary partnership to represent Victoria and the British nation, a new Queen guiding a powerful nation forwards with purpose. His classic design has been faithfully remastered by our master craftsmen for the modern collector, available now as this limited edition 1oz Silver Proof Coin.