2 oz silver coin minted in 2020 from Mortimer's White Lion, from the Royal Mint Queen's Beasts series.
The Queen's Beasts series is one of the most significant and historic coins that the Royal Mint has minted in recent decades. It was first issued in 2016 and features the mythological animals that, in the form of heraldic statues, decorated the opening ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
This edition reproduces the layout of the rest, in which the cross has two distinct parts: an outer part with a flat background, presenting the characteristics of the coin, and the centre, where the protagonist who gives his name to the coin stands on a dotted background with chain motifs.
The design of the animal is very groundbreaking compared to its predecessors. Firstly, unlike the Lion of England, it does not have a crown. It then appears in profile rather than from the front. The lion is one of the symbols of the York Dynasty, and in fact it appears holding the combined coat of arms of the reigns of Edward IV and Richard III.
The bas-relief of the king of the animal world is spectacular: his muscles are magnificent in detail, and it is possible to distinguish several in the same part of his body; and his coat transmits serenity and majesty, accentuated by his face, which appears to be roaring. Thanks to its tail, which swivels on itself and crosses the centre of the coin, there is a sensation of movement.
Under the coat of arms we find the initials of JC, which correspond to Jordy Clark, who was in charge of achieving the spectacular design of the coin. He has also designed the face of Elizabeth II, which appears on the face with a background of dots smaller than those on the cross and which occupy the entire space of the coin.
The edge of the coin is single-striped, with several lines running across it in a regular horizontal pattern, and its fineness is quite remarkable.
The White Lion of Mortimer was the seventh coin to be launched in a series that has been a real success in Anglo-Saxon countries, where its history and symbolism are particularly fascinating to the inhabitants. If you are missing any of the editions, do not hesitate to contact us.
It is made of silver with a purity of 999.9/1000, it weighs 2 ounces 62.208 grams, with a nominal value of 5 pounds and its diameter is 38.61 millimetres.