2019 Una and the Lion 2oz Silver Proof Coin | William Wyon | NGC PF69 Ultra Cameo

The Great Engravers Una and the Lion 2019 2oz Silver Proof Coin – NGC PF69 Ultra Cameo

The 2019 Una and the Lion 2oz Silver Proof is the only 2oz silver version of this design ever struck by The Royal Mint — though a larger 2kg silver proof was also issued the same year — with this 2oz edition limited to 3,000 coins and this example independently certified NGC PF69 Ultra Cameo.

Wyon, Chief Engraver at The Royal Mint from 1828 until his death in 1851, drew his inspiration from Edmund Spenser's 16th-century poem The Faerie Queene, casting the young Queen Victoria as the allegorical figure of Una, guiding a lion that represents the strength and spirit of the British people. The original 1839 five-pound piece was produced only in small numbers, intended for collectors rather than circulation, and has long been regarded by numismatists and the Royal Mint Museum itself as one of the most beautiful coins ever produced — its combination of graceful, restrained artistry and technical mastery still considered "beyond improvement" nearly two centuries on. Casting a living monarch as a fictional character was a bold, even controversial choice for its time, and remains one of the reasons the design is so widely admired today.

This 2019 remastering brings Wyon's original artistry back to life in exceptional detail, struck in two full ounces of fine silver to a proof finish, paired with Jody Clark's fifth definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.

Graded NGC PF69 Ultra Cameo, this coin sits just below the technical ceiling of PF70, typically showing a virtually flawless strike with only the faintest, often imperceptible, imperfection under magnification — an excellent grade for a coin of this size and intricacy.

Coin Highlights

• The first coin issued in The Royal Mint's Great Engravers series, launched in 2019
• Remastered from William Wyon's original 1839 "Una and the Lion" design, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful coins ever struck
• Depicts Queen Victoria as the allegorical figure Una from Spenser's The Faerie Queene, guiding the British lion
• Struck in two troy ounces of 999 fine silver to proof finish
• Obverse: Jody Clark's fifth definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
• Maximum mintage of 3,000 coins
• Graded NGC PF69 Ultra Cameo
• Encapsulated in a tamper-evident NGC holder for authenticity and protection

Specifications

Why This Coin Stands Out

Few designs in British numismatic history carry the reputation of Una and the Lion, and this 2oz remastering gives Wyon's original composition far more surface area to shine than the original 1839 coin ever had. As the coin that opened the entire Great Engravers series — several higher-value pieces in the same launch sold out within minutes — it holds genuine significance for collectors, independent of its own considerable artistic merit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the only silver Una and the Lion 2oz coin?

Yes, at the 2oz weight specifically. The Royal Mint also issued a much larger 2kg silver proof version of the same design in 2019, but this 2oz edition — limited to 3,000 examples — is the only coin of this exact size and has not been reissued.

What does NGC PF69 Ultra Cameo mean?

PF69 Ultra Cameo is the second-highest grade NGC awards, just below a perfect PF70. It indicates a virtually flawless proof strike with strong cameo contrast between the frosted design and mirrored fields, and only the faintest, often imperceptible, imperfection under magnification.

Can I verify the grade myself?

Yes. Every NGC-certified coin carries a unique certification number on the slab label, which you can look up directly at NGCcoin.uk to confirm the grade and coin details.

Is this coin CGT exempt?

Yes. As UK legal tender, the Una and the Lion silver proof is exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents, regardless of any profit made on resale.

Why choose a graded example over a raw, boxed coin?

A graded example gives you independent, third-party confirmation of condition from NGC, rather than relying on the coin's proof finish and packaging alone. For a design this widely counterfeited-adjacent in secondary markets, third-party certification adds a verifiable layer of assurance a raw coin can't offer.

Browse our full range of graded gold Sovereigns to explore more historic remastered designs and Great Engravers releases.