Una & the Lion
‘Most beautiful British coin’ discovered in Gwynedd house clearance to go under the hammer with an estimate of £70,000-120,000
An extremely rare Victorian coin has been discovered whilst we were conducting a probate valuation in Gwynedd and is estimated to sell for at least £70,000 at our auction in Chester on April 9th.
The Una and the Lion coin is widely considered the most beautiful British coin ever minted and one of the most valuable in the world due to its extreme rarity, unprecedented artistry, and deep cultural significance.
Originally issued in 1839 to commemorate the start of Queen Victoria’s reign, only about 300 to 500 examples of the gold five-pound piece were ever produced. Because these were struck as "proof" coins for high-end collector sets rather than for general circulation, they have remained incredibly scarce for nearly two centuries. Recent modern reissues, such as the 2019 "Great Engravers" series, have seen similar levels of exclusivity, with some mintages limited to a single 5kg coin or a few hundred 1oz coins, causing them to sell out instantly and skyrocket in value on the secondary market.
The coin’s value is also driven by its status as a historical and artistic breakthrough. It was designed by William Wyon, the Royal Mint’s Chief Engraver, and is regarded as his crowning achievement. In a bold departure from tradition, it was the first time a British monarch was depicted as a fictional character on a coin. Wyon portrayed a young Queen Victoria as Lady Una from Edmund Spenser’s 1590 poem The Faerie Queene, representing truth and purity. The design shows her gracefully guiding a lion, symbolizing her poise and the strength of the British nation under her leadership. This unique blend of literature, art, and royal history has made it a "holy grail" for numismatists.
“With fewer than 300 believed to have been produced, these coins rarely come to auction, as reflected in the worldwide interest it has received today. Finding it in a house clearance among a huge consignment of coins felt like discovering a diamond in hiding; it truly is a work of art in its own right”, said Charles Hampshire, Auctioneer, Valuer and Partner at Rogers Jones, who auctioned the coin on 9th April.
Originally issued in 1839 to commemorate the start of Queen Victoria’s reign, only about 300 to 500 examples of the gold five-pound piece were ever produced. Because these were struck as "proof" coins for high-end collector sets rather than for general circulation, they have remained incredibly scarce for nearly two centuries.
The coin’s value is also driven by its status as a historical and artistic breakthrough. It was designed by William Wyon, the Royal Mint’s Chief Engraver, and is regarded as his crowning achievement. In a bold departure from tradition, it was the first time a British monarch was depicted as a fictional character on a coin.
Wyon portrayed a young Queen Victoria as Lady Una from Edmund Spenser’s 1590 poem The Faerie Queene, representing truth and purity. The design shows her gracefully guiding a lion, symbolizing her poise and the strength of the British nation under her leadership. This unique blend of literature, art, and royal history has made it a "holy grail" for numismatists.
The original scarcity of these coins means that they very rarely come to auction, so we’re expecting a lot of interest from around the world on this. It’s an absolutely stunning coin - a real work of art in its own right. It certainly lives up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful coins in England - or in our case, Wales! With a young and beautiful Queen and a roaring British lion, it perfectly reflects the optimism and energy of its period
Lot 10: Jewellery, Very Fine Coins & Watches
EXCEPTIONALLY SCARCE & IMPORTANT VICTORIA (1837-1901) 'UNA AND THE LION' FIVE POUNDS, 1939 proof by William Wyon, bust left with hair fillets (nine leaves), 'Dirige', legend, lettered edge. (S.3851), 39.71g
£110,000
The current world record price for a Una and the Lion coin stands at £340,000. The Rogers Jones Jewellery, Very Fine Coins and Watches auction is due to take place at 10am on Thursday 9th April, at the Rogers Jones Chester saleroom
Charles Hampshire LLB (Anrh)
ARWERTHWR RHANBARTHOL GORLLEWIN CYMRU, PRISIWR GEMWAITH, ORIORAU A CHWISGI
