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The Royal Mint, the original maker of UK coins, has today unleashed the Griffin of Edward III onto a commemorative coin as the final heraldic beast that forms part of the Queen’s Beasts collection.  

Chosen as one of the ten ancestral beasts that lined the entrance to Westminster Abbey at Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation, the Griffin of Edward III has been reimagined for modern times by designer Jody Clark.

Each coin design that forms part of the Queen’s Beasts collection is a combination of heraldic symbolism and dynamic realism. Using this skilful blend, the coin’s design successfully portrays the power and courage of the mythical creature that is the Griffin, ensuring the design of the coin is in keeping with the other beasts that form part of the commemorative coin collection.

Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said: “Today we unveil the final beast as part of The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts collection – The Griffin of Edward III. The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts commemorative coin collection combines a skilful blend of design and craftsmanship with symbolism and dynamic realism to bring to life the ten ancestral beasts that lined the entrance to Westminster Abbey at Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation. The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts commemorative coin collection has grown in popularity since the first beast was introduced in 2017 and has become a firm favourite amongst coin collectors across the globe.”

Known as a treasure guardian and a talisman to ward off evil, the griffin appeared in English heraldry from the twelfth century onwards and first entered royal service as a beast of Edward III. The griffin continued as a royal emblem after Edward III’s death in 1377 – Richard II used it on plate and jewellery – before falling out of favour after 1400. Although a portrait of Henry VI from circa 1458 shows two griffin supporters to his coat of arms.

The coin is available in a range of precious metal finishes, as well as a Brilliant Uncirculated edition. Visit www.royalmint.com/QueensBeasts to view the full collection.

 

The Queen’s Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021Specifications

 

The Queen’s Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 Gold Proof Specifications
Coin title	The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof Coin	The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK One Ounce Gold Proof Coin	The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof Coin	The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK Gold Proof Kilo Coin
Denomination	£25	£100	£500	£1,000
Issuing Authority	UK	UK	UK	UK
Alloy	999.9 Au Fine Gold	999.9 Au Fine Gold	999.9 Au Fine Gold	999 Au Fine Gold
Weight	7.80g	31.21g	156.295g	1005.00g
Diameter	22.00mm	32.69mm	50.00mm	100.00mm
Obverse Designer	Jody Clark
Reverse Designer	Jody Clark
Quality	Proof
Limited Edition Presentation	1240	500	115	10
RRP	£605.00	£2,370.00	£10,820.00	£65,275.00

 

 

The Queen’s Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 Silver Proof Specifications
Coin title	The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK One Ounce Silver Proof Coin	The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK Five-Ounce Silver Proof Coin	The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK Ten-Ounce Silver Proof Coin	The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK Silver Proof Kilo Coin
Denomination	£2	£10	£10	£500
Issuing Authority	UK	UK	UK	UK
Alloy	999 Ag Fine Silver	999 Ag Fine Silver	999 Ag Fine Silver	999 Ag Fine Silver
Weight	31.21g	156.295g	312.59g	1005.00g
Diameter	38.61mm	65.00mm	65.00mm	100.00mm
Obverse Designer	Jody Clark
Reverse Designer	Jody Clark
Quality	Proof
Limited Edition Presentation	4400	290	140	70
RRP	£92.50	£455.00	£865.00	£2,270.00

 

Coin title	The Queen's Beasts The Griffin of Edward III 2021 UK £5 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin
Denomination	£5
Issuing Authority	UK
Alloy	Cupro-Nickel
Weight	28.28g
Diameter	38.61mm
Obverse Designer	Jody Clark
Reverse Designer	Jody Clark
Quality	Brilliant Uncirculated
Limited Edition Presentation	Unlimited
RRP	£13

 

 

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About The Royal Mint

The Royal Mint has an unbroken history of minting British coinage dating back over 1,100 years. Based in the Tower of London for over 500 years, by 1812 The Royal Mint had moved out of the Tower to premises on London’s Tower Hill. In 1967 the building of a new Royal Mint began on its current site in South Wales, UK, to accommodate the minting of UK decimal coinage.

Today, The Royal Mint is the world’s largest export mint, supplying coins to the UK and overseas countries.

The Royal Mint has also diversified into a number of other complementary businesses, building on the values that have been at the heart of the organisation throughout its history - authenticity, security, precious metals, craftsmanship and design:

Precious Metals

Throughout history The Royal Mint’s name has been synonymous with precious metals and bullion. The organisation trades physical and digital precious metal worldwide via www.royalmintbullion.com and a global network of distributor partners.

Consumer coin division

The organisation runs a thriving commemorative coin business, gifting, and a collector services division retailing historic coins, an authentication and valuation service and secure storage.

The Royal Mint Experience

The Royal Mint entered the tourism business in 2016 when it opened its popular visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, at its home in Llantrisant, South Wales. The attraction welcomes around 100,000 visitors a year.