2019 Una and the Lion 2oz Silver Proof | Great Engravers | Royal Mint
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Few coins in the history of The Royal Mint carry the cultural and artistic weight of Una and the Lion. First engraved by William Wyon in 1839 for Queen Victoria's first specimen sets, the original was produced in tiny numbers and today commands hundreds of thousands of pounds at auction. The 2019 silver proof is the first coin in The Royal Mint's Great Engravers series — and the only silver version ever struck in this iconic design.
Released in 2019, it sold out within minutes. Struck in two ounces of 999 fine silver, limited to just 3,000 examples worldwide, and remastered directly from William Wyon's original die, this is one of the most important modern proof coins The Royal Mint has ever produced.
The Story Behind the Design
William Wyon (1795–1851) served as Chief Engraver to The Royal Mint for over two decades, producing some of the most celebrated coin designs in British numismatic history. His Una and the Lion, created for the young Queen Victoria's coronation specimen set in 1839, is widely regarded as his masterpiece — and by many numismatists as the most beautiful British coin ever struck.
The design draws from Edmund Spenser's epic poem The Faerie Queene, in which Una — representing truth and purity — is accompanied by a loyal lion. Wyon cast the young Queen Victoria herself as Lady Una, walking with a lion that symbolised the might of the British Empire. She holds an orb and sceptre, symbols of sovereignty, while the reverse legend reads DIRIGE DEUS GRESSUS MEOS — May God Direct My Steps.
The bold decision to depict a living monarch as a fictional character was controversial at the time. The coin's extraordinary beauty ensured its legendary status endured. Original 1839 examples, of which only a few hundred survive, sell today for £200,000 or more.
The 2019 Remaster
For the 2019 issue, The Royal Mint used William Wyon's original die, remastered to remove historical blemishes while preserving the integrity of his hand-engraved work. The proof finish was specifically adjusted to produce a result that is an exact modern counterpart to the 1839 original — deep mirror fields, exquisitely frosted relief, and the characteristic “soft” finish that defines Great Engravers proof coinage.
The obverse carries Jody Clark's fifth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, with the face value inscribed as £5. The date appears on the reverse in Roman numerals as MMXIX, with Wyon's name engraved below: W. WYON R.A.
Why This Coin Matters to Collectors
The 2019 Una and the Lion represents several things simultaneously: a numismatic masterpiece, the launch of The Royal Mint's most ambitious modern series, and a coin that has already demonstrated strong secondary market demand since its sell-out release. With a mintage of just 3,000 — the only silver 2oz version ever produced — and no prospect of a reissue, supply is permanently fixed.
This example is presented in its original Royal Mint presentation box with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity, in the condition it left the Mint.
Investment & Tax Status
As a legal tender coin of the United Kingdom, this coin is CGT (Capital Gains Tax) exempt for UK residents. Investment silver carries a reduced VAT rate. This makes it one of the most tax-efficient ways to hold a premium numismatic silver asset in the UK.
Specifications
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year | 2019 |
| Denomination | £5 (Five Pounds) |
| Series | The Great Engravers — first release |
| Designer (Reverse) | William Wyon (original 1839) — remastered |
| Designer (Obverse) | Jody Clark (JC) |
| Metal | 999 Fine Silver |
| Weight | 62.42g (2 troy oz) |
| Diameter | 40.00mm |
| Finish | Proof — soft finish reverse |
| Edge | Milled |
| Mintage | 3,000 worldwide — sold out at Royal Mint |
| Issued By | The Royal Mint |
| Presentation | Original Royal Mint box & numbered Certificate of Authenticity |
| Face Value | £5 legal tender |
| Tax Status | CGT Exempt — legal tender coin |
| Silver Status | Only silver 2oz version ever produced |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the only silver Una and the Lion 2oz coin?
Yes. The Royal Mint produced just one silver 2oz version of Una and the Lion in 2019, limited to 3,000 examples. All other denominations in this design were struck in gold. No further silver 2oz issues have been produced.
Is this coin CGT exempt?
Yes. As a UK legal tender coin, the 2019 Una and the Lion £5 silver proof is Capital Gains Tax exempt for UK residents, regardless of any profit made on resale.
Does this coin come with its original box and certificate?
Yes. This coin is presented in its original Royal Mint presentation case with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Why did this coin sell out so quickly?
The combination of a legendary design, the first-ever Royal Mint Great Engravers release, an extremely low mintage of 3,000, and strong pre-release demand meant the coin sold out within minutes of going on sale in 2019. It has never been restocked by the Mint.
What is the Great Engravers series?
The Great Engravers is The Royal Mint's programme of reviving historically significant coin designs by past master engravers. Each release is strictly limited and produced to the highest proof standard. Una and the Lion was the first release; subsequent issues have included The Three Graces, The Gothic Crown and others. The series is widely regarded as the most important modern proof programme from The Royal Mint.
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Delivery Information
We offer free insured delivery across the UK on all orders. Every coin is carefully inspected, securely packaged, and sent using Royal Mail Special Delivery - a fully tracked, next-day service that requires a signature on receipt.
All parcels are shipped discreetly and fully insured for peace of mind.
We currently do not ship internationally. Orders can only be delivered to the UK address provided at checkout, and we’re unable to send to PO Box addresses.
We aim to dispatch all orders within one business day of receiving cleared payment. Once your order has been dispatched, you’ll receive tracking details so you can monitor its progress.
Returns Policy
For non-bullion items (such as proof coins, graded coins or accessories), we’re happy to accept returns within 14 days of receipt if you feel your coin is not as described and provided the item is returned in its original condition, please contact us and we’ll be glad to help.
If an item is returned for reasons other than being not as described, return postage will be the responsibility of the buyer.
Important Notes
- All returns must be pre-authorised by our customer service team.
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Yes. Every NGC-certified coin has a unique certification number visible on the slab label. You can verify the grade, coin details and population data at NGCcoin.uk using the cert number shown.
The NGC census records how many examples of each coin have been graded at each level. A Top Pop coin means no other example has achieved a higher grade — making it the finest certified specimen in existence for that issue.
Yes. If you have existing graded sovereigns you'd like to trade towards a purchase, contact us for a bespoke cost-to-change valuation.