Majestic Guardians: Exploring the Queen’s Beasts Coin Series

The Queens Beasts coin series reflects the history and symbolism of Great Britain. Each coin in this series is dedicated to a special mythical or heraldic animal. All of them have long served as a protector for the British monarchy. These coins combine rich history, British tradition and art, so this is the reason for their popularity among collectors, numismatists and investors around the world. 

So, here we would like to highlight the Queen's beasts coins series peculiarities, explore why these coins are so special and valuable, and find out more about the best way to check collector coins for value​.

History of Creation: Symbolism and Legacy

The Queens Beast coins were minted by the Royal Mint of Great Britain and are inspired by the sculptures standing at the entrance to Westminster Abbey at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Each of the Queens beasts has been associated with British royalty and represents the power and majesty of the British monarchy.

These Queens beast coins series first came to light in 2016 and finished in 2021. The collection consists of 10 coins (the cherry on the cake is the 11th special coin, released in April 2021), where each of the coins depicts one of the beast symbols, detailed below.

The Queen's Beasts Coins Series

This coin series delights collectors and historians with precise images of heraldic animals tightly related to royalty. Each coin in the series has the same obverse showing the fifth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, providing a unified style, while the reverse of the coins features one of the ten Queen's beasts.

1. The Lion of England

Issue date: 2016
Metal: gold, silver
Denomination: £100 (gold), £2 (silver)
Diameter: 32.69mm (gold), 38.61mm (silver)

The lion is one of the most famous symbols of the British monarchy. This mighty beast with a crown on its head, depicted on the coin, holds a shield with the coat of arms of England. The lion represents the power, inviolability and sovereignty of the crown.

Interesting fact: the lion is considered the official symbol of England since the reign of Richard I Lionheart (1198). But it has been used on the coat of arms of England from a later period - since the XIII century.

2. The Griffin of Edward III

Issue date: 2017
Metal: gold, silver
Denomination: £100 (gold), £2 (silver)
Diameter: 32.69mm (gold), 38.61mm (silver)

The griffin is a mythological creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle, holding in its paws the coat of arms of Edward III, which depicts a shield with the Round Tower of Windsor Castle. The tower is surrounded by two branches of oak and crowned with a royal crown. The Griffin is shown in a powerful and graceful pose, which emphasizes its status, and the animal itself is a symbol of strength and wisdom.

Interesting fact: Edward III first used the griffin as a symbol on his seals and coats of arms during his reign in the 14th century. The griffin is also present on royal regalia.

3. The Red Dragon of Wales

Issue date: 2017
Metal: gold, silver
Denomination: £100 (gold), £2 (silver)
Diameter: 32.69mm (gold), 38.61mm (silver)

This coin with the dragon of Wales is the third Queens beast coin. The red dragon, one of the most famous symbols of Wales, represents strength and courage. The dragon is depicted standing on its hind legs with wings spread, ready to defend the shield with the coat of arms on which it rests.

Interesting fact: this image dates back to the coat of arms of the last kings of Wales and was adopted by Owen Tudor as a symbol of his reign.

4. The Unicorn of Scotland

Issue date: 2018
Metal: gold, silver, platinum
Denomination: £100 (gold), £2 (silver), £100 (platinum)
Diameter: 32.69mm (gold, platinum), 38.61mm (silver)

The reverse of this coin depicts a unicorn, a symbol of purity and strength. It is represented with a crown worn around its neck, from which stretches a long chain. This is an indirect and symbolic reference to the fact that Scotland is dependent on England. On the coin the unicorn holds a shield with the historical coat of arms of Scotland. 

Interesting fact:  the unicorn was chosen as Scotland's national symbol because of its associations with pride, defiance and power. According to legends, the unicorn is the only creature that cannot be tamed, symbolizing the independent spirit of the Scottish people.

Related article: South Korean coins.

5. The Black Bull of Clarence

Issue date: 2018
Metal: gold, silver, platinum
Denomination: £100 (gold), £2 (silver), £100 (platinum)
Diameter: 32.69mm (gold, platinum), 38.61mm (silver)

The reverse of the coin depicts a black bull, a symbol of the power and heritage of the House of York, one of the two sides in the War of the Scarlet and White Rose in the 15th century. The black bull symbolizes strength and endurance. The animal stands on its hind legs and holds a shield bearing the coat of arms of the House of York.

Interesting fact: the black bull was often depicted in heraldry and used as a symbol of asserting the rights of heirs to the English throne, especially during the reign of the Yorkists.

6. The Falcon of the Plantagenets

Issue date: 2019
Metal: gold, silver, platinum
Denomination: £100 (gold), £2 (silver), £100 (platinum)
Diameter: 32.69mm (gold, platinum), 38.61mm (silver)

This is the 6th coin of Queen's beasts coins series. The reverse shows a falcon holding a shield with the coat of arms of the Plantagenet dynasty. The falcon is a symbol of protection and royalty.  

Interesting fact: the Plantagenet falcon symbolizes not only royalty but is also used as an emblem of nobility and skill in falconry, which played an important role in the lives of the English aristocracy.

7. The Yale of Beaufort

Issue date: 2019
Metal: gold, silver, platinum
Denomination: £100 (gold), £2 (silver), £100 (platinum)
Diameter: 32.69mm (gold, platinum), 38.61mm (silver)

Yale is a mythical creature with the body of an antelope and long ornate horns (which, according to legend, the beast can scroll independently of each other).  It symbolizes flexibility and strategic thinking. The animal holds a shield bearing the coat of arms of the House of Beaufort.

Interesting fact: the yale is associated with Lady Margaret Beaufort, the mother of Henry VII and one of the most important figures in the history of the Tudor house. The use of the spruce as a symbol on the coin reflects her significant influence on the English monarchy and the dynastic ambitions of the Tudor family.

8. The White Lion of Mortimer

Issue date: 2020
Metal: gold, silver, platinum
Denomination: £100 (gold), £5 (silver), £100 (platinum)
Diameter: 32.69mm (gold, platinum), 38.61mm (silver)

The reverse of the queen's beasts coin also depicts a lion, but unlike the first coin fierce and proud lion, it does not have a crown on its head. It symbolizes justice and mercy, discipline. The uncrowned White Lion sits with his tail tucked and supports a shield bearing the coat of arms of the House of Mortimer.

Interesting fact: the coat of arms was given to the Mortimers in the 14th century as a symbol of their holdings and right to the English throne.

9. The White Horse of Hanover

Issue date: 2020
Metal: gold, silver, platinum
Denomination: £100 (gold), £5 (silver)
Diameter: 32.69mm (gold, platinum), 38.61mm (silver)

The white horse symbolizes the House of Hanover and its long association with the British monarchy. The white horse is depicted in full growth, with its head up and front legs raised, which symbolizes power and grace, supporting a shield with the Hanoverian coat of arms.

Interesting fact: the white Hanoverian horse symbolizes the link between the Hanoverian dynasty and the British throne, reinforcing historical continuity and stability. This animal is a symbol of stability and heritage.

10. The White Greyhound of Richmond

Issue date: 2021
Metal: gold, silver, platinum
Denomination: £100 (gold), £5 (silver), £100 (platinum)
Diameter: 32.69mm (gold, platinum), 38.61mm (silver)

The white greyhound symbolizes speed and devotion, loyalty and majesty, with a special connection to the Tudor dynasty (and to Henry VII). The coin depicts an elegant greyhound with graceful posture holding a shield bearing the coat of arms of the Earls of Richmond. The shield is decorated with a flower emphasizing the French and English heritage of the crown.

Interesting fact: the white greyhound was the emblem of Henry VII and symbolized his right to the throne through the union of the house of Lancaster and the house of York.

11. The Queen's Beast Completer Coin

Issue date: 2021
Metal: gold, silver, platinum
Denomination: £100 (gold), £5 (silver), £100 (platinum)
Diameter: 32.69mm (gold, platinum), 38.61mm (silver)

This one is the last beast coin, which completes the famous series. The reverse of the coin depicts all ten beasts surrounding the image of Queen Elizabeth II, creating a complex and harmonious composition. All the symbols appear on the coin as faithful guardians of royal power and succession.

Interesting fact: the Queen's Beast Completer Coin has micro-engravings visible only under magnification, which adds detailed clarity and protects against counterfeiting.

These majestic coins represent British history and combine art, heraldry and mythology. Investing in the Queen's Beasts series may be of interest for both collectors and investors, as the rarity and demand for these coins increase over time. Additionally, remember these coins are issued from various precious metals (which in turn opens up a wide range of investment opportunities, as the demand for precious metals only grows over time - just think about rare and old Roman coins). 

If you are the lucky owner of one of these or other interesting coins, you can use the advanced Coin ID Scanner app to conveniently and accurately determine basic information and coin value without hours of “googling”. Let your search for coins be easy, parts of your collection outstanding as Queens beasts coins, and the hobby brings only positive emotions and additional income.