Queen's Beasts Silver Coins

Introduction to the Queen’s Beasts Series

In 2016, The Royal Mint launched the captivating Queen’s Beasts Silver Coin series, which also included gold versions. This marked the debut of the 2 oz size in fine silver bullion coins for the prestigious Royal Mint, which has over 1,000 years of minting history. Notably, this series introduced the first UK bullion coins struck from 99.99% pure silver. The Queen’s Beasts Coins were inspired by the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey in 1953. During the ceremony, ten six-foot-tall heraldic beasts, symbolizing the Queen’s royal lineage, stood guard. Sculpted by James Woodford RA, these statues were influenced by the King’s Beasts of Henry VIII. Today, the original statues reside at the Canadian Museum of History in Quebec, while stone replicas can be admired at Kew Gardens in the UK.

Design and Inspiration

The designs for the Queen’s Beasts Silver Coins were created by Jody Clark, a renowned British coin designer. Inspired by Woodford’s heraldic beasts, Clark brought these creatures to life with dynamic, modern interpretations. His designs are based on extensive research into the origins of the coats of arms and the history of heraldry, successfully capturing the courage and strength of these mythical beasts. These silver coins are not only exceptional artistic pieces but also embody a rich historical concept, making them a unique and valuable addition to any collection.

The Design and Completion of the Queen’s Beasts Coin Series

The Queen’s Beasts Silver coin series by The Royal Mint features stunning designs of ten heraldic creatures that symbolized the royal ancestry of Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation. Each coin in the series showcases a unique beast: the Lion of England, Griffin of Edward III, Red Dragon of Wales, Unicorn of Scotland, Black Bull of Clarence, Falcon of the Plantagenets, Yale of Beaufort, White Lion of Mortimer, White Horse of Hanover, and White Greyhound of Richmond. The series concluded in 2021 with the release of the Queen’s Beasts Completer Coin, which features all ten beasts in a single design, marking the end of this highly collectible and symbolic series. 

Explore The Royal Mint’s Royal Tudor Beasts coin series for more exciting releases celebrating British heraldry. Contact our knowledgeable customer service team if you have any questions about the Queen’s Beasts series or any other products on the Bullion Exchanges website.